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caught with letters about them： I also sent Jeremias himself； one
of my friends； with six hundred armed men； to the borders of
Galilee； in order to watch the roads that led from this country
to the city Jerusalem； and gave him charge to lay hold of such as
traveled with letters about them； to keep the men in bonds upon
the place； but to send me the letters。
47。 When I had laid these commands upon them； I gave them orders；
and bid them take their arms and bring three days' provision with
them； and be with me the next day。 I also parted those that were
about me into four parts； and ordained those of them that were
most faithful to me to be a guard to my body。 I also set over
them centurions； and commanded them to take care that not a
soldier which they did not know should mingle himself among them。
Now； on the fifth day following； when I was at Gabaroth； I found
the entire plain that was before the village full of armed men；
who were come out of Galilee to assist me： many others of the
multitude； also； out of the village； ran along with me。 But as
soon as I had taken my place； and began to speak to them； they
all made an acclamation； and called me the benefactor and savior
of the country。 And when I had made them my acknowledgments； and
thanked them ＇for their affection to me＇； I also advised them to
fight with nobody； （19） nor to spoil the country； but to pitch
their tents in the plain； and be content with their sustenance
they had brought with them； for I told them that I had a mind to
compose these troubles without shedding any blood。 Now it came to
pass； that on the very same day those who were sent by John with
letters； fell among the guards whom I had appointed to watch the
roads； so the men were themselves kept upon the place； as my
orders were； but I got the letters； which were full of reproaches
and lies； and I intended to fall upon these men； without saying a
word of these matters to any body。
48。 Now； as soon as Jonathan and his companions heard of my
coming； they took all their own friends； and John with them； and
retired to the house of Jesus； which indeed was a large castle；
and no way unlike a citadel； so they privately laid a band of
armed men therein； and shut all the other doors but one； which
they kept open； and they expected that I should come out of the
road to them； to salute them。 And indeed they had given orders to
the armed men； that when I came they should let nobody besides me
come in； but should exclude others； as supposing that； by this
means； they should easily get me under their power： but they were
deceived in their expectation； for I perceived what snares they
had laid for me。 Now； as soon as I was got off my journey； I took
up my lodgings over against them； and pretended to be asleep； so
Jonathan and his party； thinking that I was really asleep and at
rest； made haste to go down into the plain； to persuade the
people that I was an ill governor。 But the matter proved
otherwise； for； upon their appearance； there was a cry made by
the Galileans immediately； declaring their good opinion of me as
their governor； and they made a clamor against Jonathan and his
partners for coming to them when they had suffered no harm； and
as though they would overturn their happy settlement； and desired
them by all means to go back again； for that they would never be
persuaded to have any other to rule over them but myself。 When I
heard of this； I did not fear to go down into the midst of them；
I went； therefore； myself down presently to hear what Jonathan
and his companions said。 As soon as I appeared； there was
immediately an acclamation made to me by the whole multitude； and
a cry in my commendation by them； who confessed their thanks was
owing to me for my good government of them。
49。 When Jonathan and his companions heard this； they were in
fear of their own lives； and in danger lest they should be
assaulted by the Galileans on nay account； so they contrived how
they might run away。 But as they were not able to get off； for I
desired them to stay； they looked down with concern at my words
to them。 I ordered； therefore； the multitude to restrain entirely
their acclamations； and placed the most faithful of my armed men
upon the avenues； to be a guard to us； lest John should
unexpected fall upon us； and I encouraged the Galileans to take
their weapons； lest they should be disturbed at their enemies； if
any sudden insult should be made upon them。 And then； in the
first place； I put Jonathan and his partners in mind of their
＇former＇ letter； and after what manner they had written to me；
and declared they were sent by the common consent to the people
of Jerusalem； to make up the differences I had with John； and how
they had desired me to come to them； and as I spake thus； I
publicly showed that letter they had written； till they could not
at all deny what they had done； the letter itself convicting
them。 I then said； 〃O Jonathan！ and you that are sent with him as
his colleagues； if I were to be judged as to my behavior；
compared with that of John's； and had brought no more than two or
three witnesses； （20） good men and true； it is plain you had been
forced； upon the examination of their characters beforehand； to
discharge the accusations： that therefore you may be informed
that I have acted well in the affairs of Galilee； I think three
witnesses too few to be brought by a man that hath done as he
ought to do； so I gave you all these for witnesses。 Inquire of
them （21） how I have lived； and whether I have not behaved myself
with all decency； and after a virtuous manner； among them。 And I
further conjure you； O Galileans！ to hide no part of the truth；
but to speak before these men as before judges； whether I have in
any thing acted otherwise than well。〃
50。 While I was thus speaking； the united voices of all the
people joined together； and called me their benefactor and
savior； and attested to my former behavior； and exhorted me to
continue so to do hereafter； and they all said； upon their oaths；
that their wives had been preserved free from injuries； and that
no one had ever been aggrieved by me。 After this； I read to the
Galileans two of those epistles which had been sent by Jonathan
and his colleagues； and which those whom I had appointed to guard
the road had taken； and sent to me。 These were full of
reproaches； and of lies； as if I had acted more like a tyrant
than a governor against them； with many other things besides
therein contained； which were no better indeed than impudent
falsities。 I also informed the multitude how I came by these
letters； and that those who carried them delivered them up
voluntarily； for I was not willing that my enemies should know
any thing of the guards I had set； lest they should be afraid；
and leave off writing hereafter。
51。 When the multitude heard these things； they were greatly
provoked at Jonathan； and his colleagues that were with him； and
were going to attack them； and kill them； and this they had
certainly done； unless I had restrained the anger of the
Galileans； and said； that〃 I forgave Jonathan and his colleagues
what was past； if they would repent； and g