CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY GIFT FROM CHAPTER NINE OF THE THIRD BOOK OF MACCABAEES
Alfred C. Barnes
The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.
http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029308503
THE
FOURTH BOOK
OF MACCABEES:
CONTAINING
REFLECTIONS ON RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLE: LIKEWISE AN ACCOUNT OF HELIODORUS’ ATTEMPT TO PLUNDER THE TEMPLE: AND THE HISTORY OF ELEAZAR AND THE SEVEN BRETHREN PERSECUTED EVEN TO DEATH FOR THEIR ADHERENCE TO RELIGION.
CHAPTER III
The argument illustrated by example.
How then happens it, anyone may say, that if Principle subdues the passions, it does not obtain the mastery over forgetfulness and ignorance? But this reasoning is perfectly ridiculous: for Principle does not appear to have dominion over those passions which relate to itself, but over those which belong to the body. For instance, any one of you may not be able wholly to eradicate Desire; but nevertheless, your principle is able to effect so much as this, that you be not enslaved by that desire. Any one of us may not be able to root quite out of his mind Anger: but still, he may be able, by means of Reason, to lend
Aid a towards subduing his anger. Any one of you may not be able to eradicate a vicious propensity: but Principle is able to assist him, so that he shall not be bowed down by this propensity. For Principle is not an eradicator of the Passions, but their antagonist and opponent. And this we may illustrate more forcibly by the thirst of king David b. For when David had been engaged with the Philistines during a whole day, and had slain many of them, in company
with the soldiers of his nation: when evening came, perspiring and greatly fatigued, he came to the royal tent, around which the whole body of his chief mighty men c had encamped. All the rest, then, employed themselves about themselves; their supper: but the king, being exceedingly thirsty, although he had at hand abundance of water from the fountain, could not assuage his thirst with this: but a certain unaccountable longing for water which was in the enemy’s camp, increasing tortured d him, and relaxing consumed him. Wherefore when his guards were concerned at this longing of the king, two e brave young soldiers, feeling respect for this his desire, armed and taking an urn, passed over the enemies’ ramparts. And having escaped the notice of those who watched the gates, they passed through the whole camp of the enemy in search of it. And having discovered the fountain by their valour, they brought from it a draught for the king. But he, though parched up with thirst, considered how great danger it would be to his soul to drink water, which must be reckoned equal to so much blood f. Wherefore, placing his
Principle in opposition to his desire, he poured out the cup as an offering to God. For the sober mind can overcome the pressure of the passions; and to extinguish the flames of lusts; and to vanquish bodily pains, however excessive; and, by honourable uprightness of Principle, to reject with scorn all assumed dominion of the Passions.
But the occasion now invites us to the demonstrative proof from history of this theory (B.C. 186) of sober Principle. For, when our fathers were enjoying complete peace g through their strict observance of the Law, and were prospering; so that even the king of Asia, Seleucus Nicanor, both assigned them money for the service of the temple, and approved and permitted their constitution and form of government: then certain persons, attempting innovations against the general unanimity of sentiment, fell into calamities h in various ways.
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