In _Megilat Tahanit._ cap. 9. it is reported, that when _Alexander_ the great, at the instigation of the _Samaritans_, that inhabited mount _Gerizim_, went with a resolution to destroy the temple, _Simeon_ the just met him in the way, and amongst divers reasons that he urged to divert him from his purpose, told him, _this is the place, where we pray unto God for the welfare of your self, and of your kingdome, that it may not be destroyed, and shall these men perswade you to destroy this place_? The like we find in the first book of the _Maccabees_, cap. 7.33. and in _Iosephus_ his Antiq. _lib._ 12. _cap._ 17. when _Demetrius_ had sent _Nicanor_ the Generall of his army against _Jerusalem_, the Priests, with the Elders of the people went forth to salute him, and to shew him the sacrifice which they offered up to God for the welfare of the King. In the same history _lib._ 2.3. and in _Josephus Gorionides_ lib. 3. cap. 16. we may read, that _Heliodorus_ Generall to _Selencus_, came to _Jerusalem_ with the same intent, _Onias_ the High-priest, besought him, not to destroy that place, where they prayed to God for the prosperity of the King, and his issue, and for the conservation of his kingdome. In the first Chapter of _Baruch_, the disciple of _Jeremiah_, we find that the _Iewes_, who were first carried captive into _Babylon_ with _Iechonias_, made a collection of money, according to every ones power, and sent it to _Jerusalem_, saying, _Behold, we have sent you money, wherewith ye shall buy offerings, and pray for the life of Nebuchadnezzar, and for the life of Baltasar his sonne, that their dayes may be upon earth as the dayes of heaven, and that God would give us strength, and lighten our eyes, that we may live under their shadow, that we may long do them service, and find favour in their sight_. The _Iewes_ in _Asia_ did the same, as is reported by _Josephus Gorionides_, lib. 3. cap. 4. they sent letters, with a present to _Hircanus_ the High-priest, desiring that prayers might be made for the life of _Augustus Cæsar_, and his companion _Marcus Antonius_. _Philo Judæus_, in the book of his Embassage to _Caius_, making mention of a letter which _Caius_ sent, requiring his statue to be set up in the sacred temple, and _Agrippa’s_ answer thereupon, unto the said Emperour, reports, that there were these words in it, _viz._ _The Iewes sacrifice for the prosperity of your Empire, and that not onely upon their solemn feasts, but also every day_. The like is recorded by _Josephus_, (lib. 2. cap. 9. _De bello Judaico_) the _Iewes_ said to _Petronius_ Generall to the Emperour _Caius_, we _daily offer up burnt offerings unto God, for the peace of the Emperour, and the whole people of Rome_. And in his second book against _Apion_, he sayes, _we Hebrews have allwayes accustomed to honour Emperours with particular sacrifices_.