Page:New historical catechism (2).pdf/7

 expectation of him that several impostors took upon them that they wore Christ, and led away much people, a Judas Golesins (and another Judas) both lewd fellows, an Antoages a shepherd, and two others called Theudas and Egyptus; but above all was Barcozhama, who was for above thirty years together, received by the Rabbis themselves for the Messias, but seeing that he was not able to deliver them from their subjection to the Romans, at last killed him, as likewise Simon Magus, that he might not seem inferior to our Saviour, pretended that he was born of a virgin, as Christ was.

Q. What is reported concerning the wise men of the east, who were directed by the star, and came to worship Christ?

A. It is reported that these wise men were little kings, or petty lords of particular places, such as those of whom Joshua slew thirty in one battle. Epiphanus is of opinion that they came to Jerusalem two years after Christ's nativity, because Herod slew all the infants of that age; but it is generally believed that the star appeared to them two years before Christ's nativity, and that they came to Bethlehem thirteen days after his birth, which the church calls Epiphan, or the twelfth day of the three kings.

Q. How came those wise men in the east to understand the star, that which then appeared unto them, denoted the birth of the king of the Jews, or the Saviour of the world?

A. St. Basil supposeth they were great astrologers and learned men, who by magic art, much practised in those countries, and seeing the power of their gods and oracles daily decayed; and, it's probable, might hear of the prophecy, so commonly spoken of in the east, that out of Judea should come the Ruler of all the world;