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 as Aatoages a shepherd, and two others called Theudas and Egypus; but above all was Barcozhama, who was for above thirty years together received by the Rabbies, themselves for the Messias, but seeing that he was not able to deliver them from their subjection to the Remans, at last killed him as likewise Simon Magus, that be might not seem inferior to ear Saviour, pretended that he was born of a virgin, as Christ was.

Q. What is reported concerning the wise men of the East, who was 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 which Joshua slew thirty in one battle. Ephiphanus is of opinion that they came 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, or the day of the three kings.

Q. How came those wise men in the East to understand the star that which then appeared to 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 is 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; as likewise might have among them the ancient prophecy of old Balaam,