arms, and
come into the city under the notion of our kindred, and take upon you
a middle name between that of auxiliaries and of enemies, and so become
judges in this case. However, consider what these men will gain by being
called into judgment before you, for such undeniable and such flagrant
crimes, who would not vouchsafe to hear such as had no accusations laid
against them to speak a word for themselves. However, let them gain this
advantage by your coming. But still, if you will neither take our part
in that indignation we have at these men, nor judge between us, the
third thing I have to propose is this, that you let us both alone,
and neither insult upon our calamities, nor abide with these plotters
against their metropolis; for though you should have ever so great a
suspicion that some of us have discoursed with the Romans, it is in your
power to watch the passages into the city; and in case any thing that we
have been accused of is brought to light, then to come and defend your
metropolis, and to inflict punishment on those that are found guilty;
for the enemy cannot prevent you who are so near to the city. But if,
after all, none of these proposals seem acceptable and moderate, do not
you wonder that the gates are shut against you, while you bear your arms
about you."

4. Thus spake Jesus; yet did not the multitude of the Idumeans give any
attention to what he said, but were in a rage, because they did not meet
with a ready entrance into the city. The generals also had indignation
at the offer of laying down their arms, and looked upon it as equal to
a captivity, to throw them away at any man's injunction whomsoever.
But Simon, the son of Cathlas, one of their commanders, with much ado
quieted the tumult of his own men, and stood so that the high priests
might hear him, and said as follows: "I can no longer wonder that the
patrons of liberty are under custody in the temple, since there are
those that shut the gates of our common city [8] to their own nation,
and at the same time are prepared to admit the Romans into it; nay,
perhaps are disposed to crown the gates with garlands at their coming,
while they speak to the Idumeans from their own towers, and enjoin them
to throw down their arms which they have taken up for the preservation
of its liberty. And while they will not intrust the guard of our
metropolis to their kindred, profess to make them judges of the
differences that are among them; nay, while the