were but a few days to come ere he was to be slain, and
implored of Antiochus that, out of the reverence he bore to
the Grecian gods, he would disappoint the snares the Jews
laid for his blood, and would deliver him from the miseries
with which he was encompassed." Now this is such a most
tragical fable as is full of nothing but cruelty and impudence;
yet does it not excuse Antiochus of his sacrilegious attempt,
as those who write it in his vindication are willing to
suppose;
for he could not presume beforehand that he should meet
with any such thing in coming to the temple, but must have
found it unexpectedly. He was therefore still an impious
person, that was given to unlawful pleasures, and had no
regard to God in his actions. But [as for Apion], he hath
done whatever his extravagant love of lying hath dictated to
him, as it is most easy to discover by a consideration of his
writings; for the difference of our laws is known not to regard
the Grecians only, but they are principally opposite to the
Egyptians, and to some other nations also for while it so falls
out that men of all countries come sometimes and sojourn
among us, how comes it about that we take an oath, and
conspire only against the Grecians, and that by the effusion
of their blood also? Or how is it possible that all the Jews
should get together to these sacrifices, and the entrails of
one
man should be sufficient for so many thousands to taste of
them, as Apion pretends? Or why did not the king carry this
man, whosoever he was, and whatsoever was his name,
(which is not set down in Apion's book,) with great pomp
back into his own country? when he might thereby have been