Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/409

 He then  purified  the  Temple,  celebrated  his  victory  by  a grand  festival,  and  dedicated  the  altar  anew,  with  the  sound  of harps,  and  lutes,  and  cymbals,  and  hymns  of  joy,  in  the  sight  of the  wondering  multitude.

Antiochus, hearing  of  the  splendid  victories  of  Judas  Machabeus, was roused  to  fury,  and,  hastening  to  assume  the  command  of  his army, set  out  at  once  for  Jerusalem. But driving  at  full  speed in his  war-chariot,  he  was  thrown  to  the  ground  and  grievously wounded. Soon worms  came  forth  from  the  body  of  that  impious king; the  flesh  rotted  on  his  bones,  and  he  became  an  object  of horror  and  disgust,  so  that  no  one  could  approach  him. He who so lately  thought  that  the  very  stars  of  heaven  should  obey  Him, was deserted  even  by  his  slaves.

Then, seeing  the  folly  and  wickedness  of  his  pride,  he  began to humble  himself  before  the  Lord,  promising  to  repair  all  the evil he  had  done  and  to  proclaim  throughout  the  whole  earth that there  was  no  god  but  the  great  God  whom  the  Jews  adored. But inasmuch  as  his  repentance  proceeded  only  from  the  fear  of death  and  the  dread  of  temporal  punishment,  it  was  of  no  avail before God. His sufferings  continued  unabated,  and  at  last  the wicked king,  the  blasphemer  of  God,  the  oppressor  of  His  people,