by the fates, nor could be brought to change their opinion for the true, by all their adversities.[1] Suetonius[2] says, There had been for a long time all over the East a constant persuasion that it was (recorded) in the fates (books of the fates, decrees, or fortellings), that at that time some one who should come out of Judea should obtain universal dominion. It appeared by the event, that this prediction referred to the Roman Emperor: but the Jews referring it to themselves, rebelled.”
Josephus says,[4] “That which chiefly excited them (the Jews) to war, was an ambiguous prophecy, which was also found in the sacred books, that at that time some one, within their country, should arise, that should obtain the empire of the whole world (ὡς κατα τον καιρον εκεινον απο της χωρας, της αυτων αρξει την οικουμενην). For this they had received by tradition, (ὡς οικειον εξελαβον,) that it was spoken of one of their nation: and many wise men, (σοφοι, or Chachams,) were deceived with the interpretation. But, in truth, Vespasian’s empire was designed in this prophecy, who was created Emperor (of Rome) in Judæa.”[5] The Chachams above are Hakims, from the Hebrew word חכם hkm, wisdom. The accompanying word σοφοι would have proved it, if it required any proof.
Another prophecy has been noticed by Prideaux[6] of one Julius Marathus, in these words: Regem populo Romano naturam parturire.[7]
Among the Greeks, the same prophecy is found. The Oracle of Delphi was the depository, according to Plato, of an ancient and secret prophecy of the birth of a son of Apollo, who was to restore the reign of justice and virtue on the earth.[8] This, no doubt, was the son alluded to by the Sibyl.
Du Halde, in his History of China, informs us, that the Chinese had a prophecy that a holy person was to appear in the West, and in consequence they sent to the West, which I think would be Upper India, and that they brought thence the worship of Fo, (i. e. Buddha,) whom they call Fwe, K-yau, and Shek-ya. This is evidently the Iaw of Diodorus, and the Iau of Genesis, and the Sa-kia the name of Buddha.[9]
Now, according to my idea, the Sibyl of Virgil would have no difficulty, as, from her skill in judicial astrology, she would know very well when the Neros would end. Isaiah might easily learn the same (even if he were not initiated, a thing hardly to be believed) from the Sibyl of Judæa,[10] perhaps called a Huldah. Nothing is so likely as that Augustus should permit his flatterers to tell the populace that his age exactly suited to the prophecy. Few persons would dare to canvas this matter too closely; it was good policy, to strengthen his title to the throne. But respecting him I shall have much to say hereafter. The Hindoo works, Colonel Wilford informs us, foretell the coming of Cristna, in the same manner, at the time he is said to have come. Nothing is more likely. This has been erroneously supposed to prove them spurious. Any astronomer might tell
- ↑ Hist. Cap. xiii.
- ↑ Frag. apud Calmet, Dict. Vol. IV. p. 65; Vespasian, Cap. iv.
- ↑ I beg my reader to observe the words fates and fatis, and I think he will see the origin of the unchangeable fates, i. e. the true prophets.
- ↑ De Bello, Lib. vii. Cap. xxxi.
- ↑ Apud Calmet, Frag. Vol. IV. p. 65.
- ↑ Connec. P. ii. B. ix. p. 493, fol.
- ↑ Suet. in Oct. Cap. xciv.
- ↑ Plato in Apolog. Socr. et de Repub. Lib. vi.; A Clarke’s Evidences; Chatfield on the Hindoos, p. 245.
- ↑ Vide B. v. Ch. i. § ii.
- ↑ Named by Pausanias and Ælian. Vide Asiat. Res. Vol. X. p. 30.
