"that the same persons should be kings and "priests, whose administration of justice "mingling with religion raised up an incre"dible power."

In the remainder of the account, Justin states, that "the wealth of the nation in"creased, by revenues from balsam, which is "produced only in their country, for that "there is a valley which is enclosed with " continued mountains, as by a wall, and in “a manner resembling a camp; that the space consists of two hundred acres, and is "called Jericho, wherein there is a wood "remarkable for its fruitfulness and pleasant appearance, being distinguished for its palm-trees and balsams.”

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He describes the balsam-tree as having a form similar to the fir-tree, excepting that it is not so lofty. He remarks that it is cultivated like a vine; and that this tree, in a certain time of the year, exudes the balsam. exudes the balsam. He observes that the place is not more remarkable for its warmth, than for its exuberance, since as the sun is more ardent here, than in any part of the world, there is a kind of natural and perpetual glow in the sultry air. He relates, that the lake of Asphaltites, on account of its magnitude, and the tranquillity of its waters,

was called the Dead Sea, for that it is not moved by the winds, (which are resisted by the bitumen by which it is rendered stagnant) nor does it endure navigation, because all things which are without life sink into the deep, so that it does not sustain any matter unless what is smeared with alum.

Justin concludes his account with observing, that the Jews were first subdued by Xerxes, king of the Persians; that they afterwards surrendered themselves to Alexander, and that they were long subject to the Macedonian empire in the kingdom of Syria; that when they revolted from Demetrius, and sought the friendship of the Romans, they first among the Orientalists, obtained freedom, the Romans then easily conceding what did not belong to them*.

The whole sketch of history which Justin has transmitted with regard to the Jews, preserves, amidst palpable misrepresentations, the most clear and unequivocal proofs of an original foundation in truth.

* Lib. xxxvi. c. 2, 3. p. 528. Edit. Wetsten.

CHAP. LIX.

Ammianus Marcellinus.

MARCELLINUS was of a noble family, and lived under successive Emperors, from the reign of Constantius to that of Theodosius the elder. He wrote a Roman history, in thirty-one books, of a period extending from the reign of Nerva to the death of Valens. Of this history, the first thirteen books, which brought down the work to the time of Constantius, are lost. He was a contemporary of, and often an agent in the concerns described in the history which remains. He was sent with Ursicinus by Constantine into the east, and afterwards into Gaul, and other parts of the empire; and being distinguished for his military talents, he enjoyed the favour of Julian, and accompanied him in his expedition against the Persians, in which the Emperor lost his life *.

* Lib. xxiv. c. 1. Lib. xxv. c. 2. Lib. xiv, c. 9.

Ammianus was a native of Antioch *, a city, as he observes, "known throughout the "world," and in which the disciples of Christ, probably from the number of converts there, were first called Christians t. Chiffletius +, and Petrus Pythæus, have conceived, from some passages in the history of Marcellinus, that he was a proselyte to the Gospel. He certainly speaks with great respect of that religion, since in summing up the character of Constantius, he observes, that " the Em"peror mixed a doting superstition with the "perfect and simple religion of the Chris"tians." Amidst subjects also of commendation on Jovian, he describes him as observant of the Christian law. He remarks likewise of George, Bishop of Alexandria, that he forgot his profession, which persuaded nothing but what was just and mild §. It is probable, however, as Valesius contends, that Ammianus adhered to the religion of his ancestors; he speaks of the Heathen deities

• Valesius Præfat.

Chiffletius de Vit. Ammian.

+ Acts ii. 26.

|| Lib. i. c. 16. p. 236. Edit. Gronov. 1693. Vide Gregor. Nazianz. p. 380. Ambrose Epist. ad Philip. p. 520. Lib. xxii. 11. See also lib. xviii. c. 10.; lib. xxix.

as of objects of his reverence and attachment; his candour, however, led him to acknowledge the beneficial tendency of the Christian religion, and to admire the fortitude and glorious death of its martyrs †. He could not behold the intolerant measure of Julian, without intimating disapprobation of his want of clemency; neither could he contemplate the character of those harmless men, who were subjected to persecution, without feeling that they were entitled to esteem; and he expressly indeed remarks on some provincial chief priests, that is, Christian Bishops, whom he mentions, that "by spare diet, coarse dress, and down"cast eyes, they were approved by the eter"nal Being, and by his true worshippers as prudent and modest men."

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Ammianus Marcellinus is a writer of distinguished veracity, his history is to be noticed particularly, as it exhibits a contemporary and unimpeachable record of the remarkable circumstances which defeated the attempt of Julian to rebuild the temple of Jerusalem, A. D. 363.

* Lib. xiv. c. 11. p. 46.

7. xxii-xxv.

+ Lib. xxii. c. 12. p. 252.