1. St. Ambrose (tom. ii. de Obit. Theodos. p. 1208 [ed.
Bened.]) expressly praises and recommends the zeal of Josiah
in the destruction of idolatry. The language of Julius
Firmicus Maternus on the same subject (de Errore Profan.
Relig. p. 467, edit. Gronov. [Rotterod. 1743]) is piously
inhuman. Nec filio jubet (the Mosaic Law) parci, nec fratri,
et per amatam conjugem gladium vindicem ducit, etc.