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 II
Particular illustrations of the strength of Principle.
And where is the wonder of all this? If even the desires of the soul are disappointed, when brought into competition with the pursuit of that which is honourable and right? Yet on this ground the self-controlling Joseph a is extolled; that through the principle which ruled in his mind, he overcame the temptation to sensual indulgence. For he, being youthful and fully ripe for sexual intercourse, quelled through Principle the impetuous ardour of his passions.
And not only does Principle seem to vanquish the stimulus of sensual indulgence, but also that of desire of every kind. For instance, the Law says b “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor any thing which is thy neighbour’s.” And now, since the Law has enjoined us not to covet, I may the more easily persuade you that Principle is able to overcome the desires, even as it masters those passions which are preventive of Justice. For how a man is reclaimed, who through parsimony habitually lives by himself c, and is a
glutton and a drunkard d; unless it be evident that Principle is lord over the passions? But as soon as any man regulates his life by the Law, although he be a miser, he does violence to his own disposition; lending money without interest to those who are in need, and forfeitinge the money lent when the weeks of the sabbatical year come on. And though a man be naturally parsimonious, he becomes obedient to the Law through Principle; neither gathering up f the last ears of his harvest, nor gleaning the remnant of his vine and in other points of his conduct it is easy to see that it is Principle which conquers his passions. For the Law prevails even over affection towards parents; not surrendering the cause of Virtue even on their account. It also prevails over conjugal affection; condemning it whenever it seems contrary to law. It controls likewise the affection of parents towards their children, punishing them for any vice. And it is master over the intercourse between friends, reproving them for any evil doings. And do not think this to be incredible, when Principle is able to overcome even enmity, by means of the Law: not permitting us to cut down the fruit-trees? belonging to the enemies, but preserving
their property from those who were destroying it, and helping to build up again the things which had fallen. And even over the more violent passions Principle appears to bear rule; namely, the love of empire, and vain-glory, and boasting, and ostentation, and envy. For all these malignant passions a sober mind subdues and repels, as likewise it behaves towards anger; for even this it masters. For example; Moses, when enraged with Dathan and Abiram, did nothing against them in anger h, but disciplined his mind under Principle. For the sober mind, as I observed, is able to prevail against the passions: and some of them it can change, and others utterly annul i. For on what other ground does our most wise father Jacobk reprove Simeon and Levi, for having slain the whole tribe of the Sichemites contrary to good principle; saying, ” Cursed be their anger?” For if Principle had not possessed the power of subduing Anger, he would not have spoken thus. For when God formed man. He planted around him a variety both of passions and of moral feelings. And then over all He set the intellectual Mind as on a throne l, for a holy director by means of the
internal sensations. And to this Mind He imparted a law; by which if it guides itself, it will continue to support an empire, sober, and just, and virtuous, and brave.
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