Neither was this service ever entertained unthankfully, as appears by the decree of _Cyrus_, _Ezra_ 6.3. where also _Darius_ commands, that _of the Kings goods, even of the tribute, expences should be forth-with given unto the Elders of the Iewes_ &c. _and that which they had need of, both young bullocks, and rammes, and lambs for the burnt-offerings of the Lord of heaven, and wheat, salt, wine, and oyl_, &c. _that they might offer sacrifices of a sweet savour, unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the King, and of his sonnes_. The same also was commanded afterwards by _Artaxerxes_, who also conferred liberally many large gifts, as well towards the building of the temple, as the maintaining of the sacrifices. As for _Alexander_ the great, he lighted down out of his chariot, and bowed himself at the feet of the High-priest, desiring him to offer up sacrifice to God on his behalf. And who can be ignorant of _Ptolomy Philadelphus_, how richly he endowed the temple, as is recorded by _Aristeas_? Nor did _Antiochus_ king of the _Greeks_ unlike this, when by a publick edict, he forbid _that any stranger should enter the temple, to prophane that place, which the Hebrews had consecrated to religion, and divine worship_. (Josephus _lib._ 12. _cap._ 3.) _Demetrius_ did the like, (_Josephus_ lib. 13. cap. 5.6.) To which may be added, that when they of _Ierusalem_ contended with them of _Samaria_, about the honour and dignity of the temple, before _Alexander_ the great, the _Ierusalem_ Priest in his plea, urged, _that this temple was ever had in great reverence by all the Kings of_ Asia, _and by them enricht with sundry splendid and magnificent gifts_. In the Second book of _Iosephus_ against _Apion_, we read, that _Ptolomy Euergetes_, when he had conquered _Syria_, offered up _Eucharisticall sacrifices_, not to idols, and false Gods, but to the true God, at _Ierusalem_, according to the manner of the _Iewes_. _Pompey_ the great, as is mentioned by _Iosephus de bello Iudaico_ (lib. 1. cap. 5.) durst not spoyl, no nor so much as touch the treasures of the temple, not because (as _Tully_ in his Oration for _Plancius_ supposeth, to whom _Augustine_ in his book _de civitate Dei assentos_) he feared lest he might be thought too avaritious; for this seems in comparison, very ridiculous, and childish; for military law would soon have acquitted him for this; but because of the reverence to the place with which his mind was so affected. _Philo Iudæus_, (p. 102. 6.) relates a letter of _Agrippa’s_, where he writes, that _Augustus Cæsar_ had the temple in so great reverence, that he commanded a sacrifice of one bullock, and two lambs, to be offered up every day out of his own revenues. And his wife _Iulia Augusta_, adorn’d it with golden cups, and basons, and many other costly gifts. Neither did _Cleopatra_ Queen of _Egypt_, fall short of her liberallity. _Tiberius_ throughout the 22