Many saints were (there) under Moses' law,
but we hold not their commemoration on any mass-day,
except of these brethren, that so boldly suffered.
§ II. I Macc. ii. 1-70.
II. We will also write how that contest ended,
and how the Almighty God put to flight the impious ones
with mickle shame, even as the narrative tells us.
A certain high servant of God was named Mattathias,
who had five sons, full bold ones, with him.
One was named John; a second Simon,
a third — Judas; a fourth — Eleazar,
a fifth — Jonathan, within Jerusalem,
who bemoaned sorely with vehement mourning
that they saw such distress in their life,
and would not submit to the reproachful heathendom.
Then sent the king to the aforesaid thane,
and bade them all bow down to his blind gods,
and offer to them sacrifice, and abandon God's law.
But Mattathias would not hear the wicked one,
nor transgress God's law for his wrathful threat.
Therewith there came in sight of them all
a Jewish man to the devil-image,
and offered his offering, as Antiochus commanded.
However, Mattathias was enraged in his mood,
and rushed at the man who would there offer,
and slew him soon, and afterwards the other,
the king's thane, who had urged him thereto,
and cast down the devil-image, and departed from it.
He cried then loudly — ' each one who hath belief
and heedeth God's law, let him come to me.'
