hem to the necessity of
using them according to the law of war. But when they would not comply
with their persuasions, but continued to be of a different mind, they
fought against them on the sabbath day, and they burnt them as they were
in the caves, without resistance, and without so much as stopping up the
entrances of the caves. And they avoided to defend themselves on that
day, because they were not willing to break in upon the honor they owed
the sabbath, even in such distresses; for our law requires that we
rest upon that day. There were about a thousand, with their wives and
children, who were smothered and died in these caves; but many of those
that escaped joined themselves to Mattathias, and appointed him to be
their ruler, who taught them to fight, even on the sabbath day; and told
them that unless they would do so, they would become their own enemies,
by observing the law [so rigorously], while their adversaries would
still assault them on this day, and they would not then defend
themselves, and that nothing could then hinder but they must all perish
without fighting. This speech persuaded them. And this rule continues
among us to this day, that if there be a necessity, we may fight on
sabbath days. So Mattathias got a great army about him, and overthrew
their idol altars, and slew those that broke the laws, even all that
he could get under his power; for many of them were dispersed among the
nations round about them for fear of him. He also commanded that those
boys which were not yet circumcised should be circumcised now; and he
drove those away that were appointed to hinder such their circumcision.

3. But when he had ruled one year, and was fallen into a distemper, he
called for his sons, and set them round about him, and said, "O my
sons, I am going the way of all the earth; and I recommend to you my
resolution, and beseech you not to be negligent in keeping it, but to be
mindful of the desires of him who begat you, and brought you up, and to
preserve the customs of your country, and to recover your ancient form
of government, which is in danger of being overturned, and not to be
carried away with those that, either by their own inclination, or out of
necessity, betray it, but to become such sons as are worthy of me; to
be above all force and necessity, and so to dispose your souls, as to be
ready, when it shall be necessary, to die for your laws; as sensible
of this, by just reasoning, that if God see