That _Judas_ hanged himself, much more, that he perished thereby, we shall not raise a doubt. Although _Jansenius_ discoursing the point, produceth the testimony of _Theophylact_ and _Euthimius_, that he died not by the Gallows, but under a cart wheel, and _Baronius_ also delivereth, this was the opinion of the _Greeks_, and derived as high as _Papias_, one of the Disciples of _John_. Although also how hardly the expression of _Matthew_ is reconcilable unto that of _Peter_, and that he plainly hanged himself, with that, that falling head-long he burst asunder in the midst, with many other, the learned _Grotius_ plainly doth acknowledge. And lastly, Although as he also urgeth, the word ἀπήγξατο in _Matthew_, doth not only signifie suspension or pendulous illaqueation, as the common picture discribeth it, but also suffocation, strangulation or interception of breath, which may arise from grief, despair, and deep dejection of spirit [SN: Strangulat inclusus dolor.], in which sense it is used in the History of _Tobit_ concerning _Sara_, ἐλυπήθη σφόδρα ὥστε ἀπάγξασθαι. _Ita tristata est ut strangulatione premeretur_, saith _Junius_; and so might it happen from the horrour of mind unto _Judas_. So do many of the _Hebrews_ affirm, that _Achitophel_ was also strangled, that is, not from the rope, but passion. For the Hebrew and Arabick word in the Text, not only signifies suspension, but indignation, as _Grotius_ hath also observed. Many more there are of indifferent truths, whose dubious expositions worthy Divines and Preachers do often draw into wholesome and sober uses whereof we shall not speak; with industry we decline such Paradoxes, and peaceably submit unto their received acceptions. CHAPTER XII Of the Cessation of Oracles. That Oracles ceased or grew mute at the coming of Christ, is best understood in a qualified sense, and not without all latitude, as though precisely there were none after, nor any decay before. For (what we must confess unto relations of Antiquity) some pre-decay is observable from that of _Cicero_, urged by _Baronius_; _Cur isto modo jam oracula Delphis non eduntur, non modo nostra ætate, sed jam diu, ut nihil possit esse contemptius_. That during his life they were not altogether dumb, is deduceable from _Suetonius_ in the life of _Tiberius_, who attempting to subvert the Oracles adjoyning unto _Rome_, was deterred by the Lots or chances which were delivered at _Preneste_. After his death we meet with many; _Suetonius_ reports, that the Oracle of _Antium_ forewarned _Caligula_ to beware of _Cassius_, who was one that conspired his death. _Plutarch_ enquiring why the Oracles of _Greece_ ceased, excepteth that of _Lebadia_: and in the same place _Demetrius_ affirmeth the Oracles of _Mopsus_ and _Amphilochus_ were much frequented in his days. In brief, Histories are frequent in examples, and there want not some even to the reign of _Julian_.