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[151]
And now the multitude were going to rise against them already; for
Ananus, the ancientest of the high priests, persuaded them to it. He was
a very prudent man, and had perhaps saved the city if he could but have
escaped the hands of those that plotted against him. These men made the
temple of God a strong hold for them, and a place whither they might resort,
in order to avoid the troubles they feared from the people; the sanctuary
was now become a refuge, and a shop of tyranny. They also mixed jesting
among the miseries they introduced, which was more intolerable than what
they did; for in order to try what surprise the people would be under,
and how far their own power extended, they undertook to dispose of the
high priesthood by casting lots for it, whereas, as we have said already,
it was to descend by succession in a family. The pretense they made for
this strange attempt was an ancient practice, while they said that of old
it was determined by lot; but in truth, it was no better than a dissolution
of an undeniable law, and a cunning contrivance to seize upon the government,
derived from those that presumed to appoint governors as they themselves
pleased.
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