The Apostolical History, Chapter 7 · Section 20
SECT. XX. Containing a ſhort History of the Deſtruction of JERUSALEM.
HAVING thus, by the good Providence of God (to whom alone be all the glory and praiſe thereof intirely rendred in and through Jeſus Chriſt), finiſhed my Apoſtolick Hiſtory; I thought it requiſite, for the clearing of many paſſages in this Hiſtory, as alſo in the Goſpels, to add a ſhort Narration of the dreadful Deſtruction of the City and Temple of Jeruſalem. And firſt, I will ſet down the prodigious and dreadful Sights*See Luc. 21.11. that preceded the Warr that brought on this fatal Deſolation; and then ſhew the Occaſion of it.
The Prodigies related by Joſephus were theſe: Not long before the Warr, on the day of Ʋnleavened bread, about nine of the clock at night, between the Altar and the Temple there ſhined ſuch a light, that it might have been thought to be mid-day, which continued half an hour. In the ſame Feast alſo a Cow that was led to ſacrifice, brought forth a Lamb in the middle of the Court of the Temple. The Eaſt gate of the Temple, which was Braſs, and mighty heavy, and could ſcarce be ſhut with twenty men, and at evening was lock'd up, and barr'd with barrs of Iron, was ſeen (about ſix of the clock at night) to open of its own accord. On the 21 of May, before Sun-ſet, were ſeen in the air Iron Chariots, and Armies in battel-array paſſing along in the Clouds, and begitting the City. And in the Feaſt of Pentecoſt, the Prieſts going into the inner Temple, according to cuſtom, to celebrate the Worſhip of God, at firſt they found the place to move, and heard a noiſe; and afterwards they heard a voice, which ſaid, Let us depart hence. A Blazing-ſtar in faſhion of a Sword, hung over the City for a year together: See Har. of the Four Evangeliſts, chap. 5. p. 168. And thus much of the Prodigies that preceded the Warr. I come now to ſhew the Occaſion of it.
The Occaſion of the Warr that brought that fatal ruin and deſtruction upon the City of Jeruſalem, and the Jewiſh State, was this: Florus being ſent by Nero to ſucceed Albinus in the Procuratorſhip of Judea, being a vile and wicked perſon, outragiouſly abuſed his Authority, and by all manner of Rapines and Inſolencies vex'd and oppreſſed the Jews; inſomuch, that by a publick Cryer he gave leave to Thieves and High way-men to rob and ſpoil throughout the whole Countrey, provided he himſelf might have part and ſhare of the booty. The Jews not able to endure theſe Outrages, ſome of them abandoned their houſes, and fled to ſtrange Countreys. Others of them (being of themſelves forward enough to revolt) were yet greatly provoked thereunto by the daily oppreſſions of Florus, who endeavoured to drive them to it, that his great and intolerable Oppreſſions and Villanies might be leſſened by their Revolt. Another thing alſo that much diſpos'd them thereunto, was this: There was a Prophecy*Suetonius Veſp. c. 4. Pererebuerat oriente toto vetus & conſtans opinio, eſſe in fatis, ut eo tempore Judea profecti rerum potirentur. Id de Imperatore Romano (quantum eventu poſtea paruit) praedictum, Judaei ad ſe trahentes, rebellârunt. Ac ſimiliter Cornel. Tacitus, Hiſt. lib. 5. paſſed among them [That there ſhould come from Judaea thoſe that ſhould be Maſters of all]. The event afterwards ſhewed, that this was a Prediction only of the Roman Emperor. But the Jews applying it to themſelves, revolted; and ſo Chriſt's blood lying upon them, and crying for vengeance, they themſelves haſtened that vengeance by their own Madneſs. The Warr began in the Twelfth year of Nero, in the Month of May, who was then in Grecia, and ſtayed there till Winter.
King Agrippa (who had under his government Galilee, Tiberias, Tarichea, Julias beyond Jordan, with the neighbouring-Villages, and Chaleis), in a long Oration dehorts the Jews from warr, but in vain. For a little while after he was gone from Jeruſalem, ſome of the Seditious poſſeſſed themſelves, on a ſudden, of the ſtrong Caſtle Maſſada, and put to the ſword all the Romans they found there. At Jeruſalem alſo, Eleazer the ſon of Ananias the High-Prieſt, and Commander of the Soldiers of the Temple (a bold and factious young man) perſwaded the Prieſts that they ſhould not offer any more the Sacrifices that were wont to be offered for Caeſar, and the welfare of the Romans. Which raſh act, the Governours of the City (that were peaceable men) plainly ſaw tended to open rebellion. Whereupon, not being able to perſwade the Seditious from this courſe, they ſent Meſſengers to Florus at Caeſarea, and to King Agrippa; deſiring them; that they would preſently ſend Forces and ſuppreſs the Rebellion in the beginning. Florus, who deſired there ſhould be a Revolt, neglected it. But King Agrippa ſent a thouſand Horſe-men, who together with the Rulers and Prieſts, and the reſt of the people (that loved peace), ſeized upon and held the upper City againſt the Seditious, who kept the Temple, and the lower City. Between theſe two parties there were continual skirmiſhes for ſeven days together. After ſome ado the Rebels brake into the upper Quarters, burnt divers Palaces and publick Houſes, and then beſieged the Caſtle Antonia, and after two days took it, and kill'd all the Roman Soldiers they found there, and ſet the Caſtle on fire. After this, they lay ſiege to the King's Palace, which they took and burnt; and upon the very Sabbath-day put to death the Romans who (after the Palace was won by aſſault) had retired into the Caſtles of Hippico, Phaſaelus, and Mariamne; where, being beſieged, and yeelding upon compoſition, and delivering their arms, yet contrary to all faith they were put to death.
On the day following*Sic Matthias, in Theatro Hiſtorico., at Caeſaria, moſt of the Jews that dwelt there, were maſſ…cred at the inſtigation of Florus, by the Roman Soldiers, to the number of Twenty thouſand; at which the Jews through all the Countrey were ſo enraged, that they waſted the Villages of the Syrians and Neighbour-Cities. Then the Syrians fell upon the Jews, and executed their rage upon them; partly out of the old hatred against them and their Religion; and partly out of love of Plunder, and deſire of revenge. Only they of Antiochia, Apanea, and Sidonia, ſpared the Jews that dwelt amongſt them. But at Alexandria (the Metropolis of Egypt) upon a Sedition that was raiſed there, in one day Fifty thouſand Jews were killed by two Roman Legions that were let in upon them Cestius Gallus, Preſident of Syria, having notice of theſe Commotions, comes from Antioch into Judea with twelve Legions, and takes with him alſo ſome of King Agrippa's Soldiers; and having taken ſome Towns, ſate down at laſt before Jeruſalem at the Feaſt of Tabernacles. The men of Jeruſalem oppoſe him; but he forceth them into the City, into which alſo he brake, and held the lower part of it. Then he aſſaults the Temple, and the Upper-City, and had eaſily taken it if he had valiantly continued the aſſault, the ſoberer ſort of the people favouring the Romans, and the Seditious only oppoſing him. But when he was near taking the Temple, without any ſufficient reaſon he drew off, and retreated to Antipatris (a)After Cestius's his raiſing his ſiege, many of the Chriſtians that were in Jeruſalem, got out of the City, and fled (…s Euſebius ſays) to …ella, being warned by our Saviour ſo to do, Luk. 21.20. and Mat. 24.15. When ye ſhall ſee the abomination of deſ…lation ſpoken of by Daniel the Prophet, standing in the Holy place, then let them which be in Judea, ſlee to the Mountains. Illa abominatio deſolationis, fuit Templi Hieroſolymitani proſanatio abominanda, quae in ſignum data fuit futurae deſolationis Ea Templi profanatio hoc ipſo anno à ſeditioſis Judaeorum ducibus facta eſt, cum …emplum more caſtrorum muniſſent, & inde adverſus ſuos contribules Judaeos pro Romanis ſtantes, ferocius dimicarent. Non enim exteriorem tantum Templi partem ab …is occupatam fuiſſ…; ſed & obſidente civitatem Ceſtio, in interiorem partem ſe recopiſſe, teſtatur Joſephu… lib. 5. cap. 2., having loſt in his March many both Romans and Auxiliaries, with a great part of his Baggage and Ammunition, by the Jews who purſued him. The Jews, puffed up with this Victory, being returned to Jeruſalem, create Joſeph the Son of Gorion, and Ananias the High-Prieſt, Governours of the City; and ſend away Commanders into the ſeveral Provinces, and among others they ſend Joſeph (the Writer of this Warr) into Galilee; where after he had fortified many Towns, and ordered all things to endure a Warr, he expected the invaſion of the Romans. In the mean time there are many Commotions and Attempts of ſeveral of the Cities againſt him; and by the ſubtilty and fraud of John the Son of a certain Levite (of whom more afterward), and by the envy of ſome of the Governours of Jeruſalem, there were endeavours us'd to turn him out of his Government. But Joſeph brake the neck of all theſe Endeavours and Counſels, and by his Prudence and Patience defeated them, and forced John to flee to Jeruſalem. At Jeruſalem, Ananias the Governour of the City prepares all things neceſſary for ſuſtaining the Warr; He repairs the Walls, and takes order that warlike Inſtrum…nts, viz. Darts and Arms, &c. be made through the whole City. He endeavours to reconcile thoſe they call'd Zealots (becauſe they boaſted of their zeal for the Law of God, and the Cuſtoms of their Countrey) but in vain; he endeavours to apprehend Simon Son of Giora (who exerciſed Thievery, and affected Tyranny) by ſending Soldiers againſt him. But He with his Party fled to the Thieves that k…pt Maſſada, from whence they infeſted all the Countreys of Judea and Idumea with their Robberies.
Things going on in this manner, Ceſtius ſends M…ſſengers to Nero who was th…n in Achaia entertaining himſelf with Tragedies and the Olympick Sports, declaring unto him the troubled ſtate of Judea. Nero being much moved with this News, ſends Veſpaſian thither. Veſpaſian having received this Command ſ…nds his Son Titus to Alexandria in Egypt, to bring from th…nce the Fifth and Tenth Legion into Judea; and he himſelf goes by land from Achaia into Aſia, and from thence comes into Syria At Antioch he gathers together the Roman Forces, with other Aids from the Neighbouring-Princes, and to marches to Ptolemais where his Son Titus met him ſooner than could have been expected by reaſon of the Winter ſeaſon All their Forces, with their Auxiliaries, being now come together, made Threeſcore thouſand Horſe and Foot. Nero now returning to Rome in … m…ant manner, a…ter he had been two years in Greece; Julius Vindex, a Gaul by birth, but of Senatorian-degree among the Romans, incenſed his Countrey-men againſt him, repreſenting what great and intolerable burdens they groaned under. Yet he deſigned not to advance himſelf to the Principality, but offered it to Galb… an old Soldier, and now Gov…rnour of the Tarraconian-Province in Spain; who accepted of it. Veſp…ſian in the mean while invades Galilee, and burns and waſtes the City of the Gadarens; then coming to Jotapata on the 21 of May, he lays ſiege to it; after forty days ſiege, he takes it by force, and burns it, after it had been valiantly defended by Joſeph, who was Governour thereof. He alſo takes Joſeph, who … y hid in a Cave, gives him his life, but keeps him Priſoner*Joſeph was taken▪ and is kept to be ſent Priſoner to Nero; but deſiring to ſpeak with Veſpaſian, foretold that he ſhould releaſe h…m out of Captivity, and that when he was Emperor. See Sueton. in Vitâ Veſpaſiani, cap. 5.. Jotapata being thus deſtroyed, Vepaſian retires with his Army to Caeſarea, and th…re places Two Legions to refreſh themſelves after the ſiege; a Third he ſends, for the ſame reaſon, to Scythopolis. At Caeſarea he is feaſted by King Agrippa for twenty days together: There he prepares for the Sieges of Tiberias and Taricha. They of Tiberias immediately yeild, and at the entreaty of Agrippa 'tis granted to them, that the City ſhall not be razed. But Taricha, after it had ſuffered a ſiege, is taken by ſtorm. Theſe Cities being recovered, almoſt all Galilee enclin'd to the Romans, except Gamala and Gaſcala, which was kept by John, and the Mountain Itaburium. Gamala, after a Months ſiege, was taken; and not long after, the Mountain Itaburium. Titus ſets upon Giſcala, which was kept by John with his party of Zealots. John ſeems to like the Conditions of Peace offered him by Titus, but in the night with his party ſlips out of the City, and betakes himſelf to J…ruſalem. Titus ſpares the City; and, putting a Garriſon into it, goes to C… ſarea.
In the mean time there was a great diſſention throughout all Judea, ſome being for warr, others deſirous to live in peace under the protection of the Romans. Whereupon Troops of Thieves gathered together, who plundered them that were deſirous of peace; and being loaded with their Plunder, they were received into Jeruſalem, and there fill'd all things wi…h Murthers, Diſcords, and Rapines. And firſt, they caſt Antipas and a great many Noble-men, and the chief of the City into priſon, and ſhortly after put them to death without any …rial; falſly accuſing them, That they intended to deliver up t… City to the Romans. Moreover they kept all the Paſſes, and ſeized thoſe that endeavoured to get out of the City; and, killing them, let them lye unburied.
During theſe troubles, the Zealots fell out among themſelves: John (who came from Giſcala to Jeruſalem) affecting the Sup…remacy, and others not enduring him to be their Superior. But though they thus diſagreed among themſelves, yet they were unanimous enough in …obbing the people; and all Judea, after the example of Jeruſalem, was full of Thieves, and moſt miſerably vexed.
The Jews by theſe diſcords thus inhumanly deſtroying each other; Veſpaſian was entreated by the cryes of ſome of them (who fled to him) to take ſome courſe to preſerve their Countrey from ruin. Hereupon he prepares to go againſt Jeruſalem. And that he might leave no…hing behind him that might trouble …m when he was at that ſiege, he comes with his Army to Gadara to quench the tumults there, and preſently takes the City, the Seditious flying away; which he underſtanding, he ſends Placiaus with his Horſe to purſue them, and to put them to the ſword; and ſo he poſſeſs'd himſelf of the Countrey beyond the River, even to the Lake Aſphaltis, except the Caſtle of Macherun; and ſo having appointed Garriſons for the ſeveral Towns, and Winter-quarters for his Soldiers, he comes to Caeſarea again, and there winters.
Veſpaſian hears now of the ſtirrs raiſed in Gallia by Vindex, who had armed the Gauls againſt Nero, and the Romans; which made him more earneſt to finiſh this Warr againſt the Jews. Wherefore in the beginning of the Spring, he runs with his Army thorow all Judea and Idumea, and miſerably waſtes it. Then leads them thorow Samaria to Jericho, from whence the Inhabitants flye into the Mountain-Countrey oppoſite to Jeruſalem; but he purſues them and beats them from the Hills, and by placing Citadels at Jericho and other places, diſtreſſes the Jews on every ſide.
Nero hearing that Galba, and Spain, had revolted from him, pronounced himſelf undone; and at laſt ſlew himſelf to eſcape publick and more ſhameful execution, on the 9th day of June, in the 13th year of his Reign.
The Soldiers in Spain proclaim Galba Emperor, againſt whom riſes up Otho, and cuts him off in his 7th Month. Otho was ſcarce ſet in the Throne, when Vitellius riſeth up againſt him, and Otho is kill'd the 90th day of his Reign. Vitellius is now Lord of all, a luxurious and moſt intemperate perſon.
But to return to Veſpaſian, who as he was now with his Army preparing to beſiege Jeruſalem, news is brought him of the death of Nero. Upon which tidings he defers the Warr againſt the Jews, and ſends Titus his Son to Galba (who he heard was proclaimed Emperor), to know his pleaſure concerning the Jewiſh Warr. Titus going by ſhip to Achaia, heard there that Galba was killed. Whereupon he preſently returns to his Father at Caeſarea, they being in ſuſpence (the Empire now tottering) what to do, thinking it not convenient to invade a ſtrange Countrey, when their own was in ſuch apparent danger.
In the mean time Simon the Son of Giora (of whom before) a bold young man, went from Maſſada, whither he had fled to the Murderers, in the Mountainous Countrey of Judea, and by promiſes of liberty to ſervants, and rewards to Free-men, in a ſhort time got a band of Thieves, and by little and little encreaſing his Forces, he came at laſt to that power, that he conquered all Idumea, and waſted Judea, and at length came before Jeruſalem; where pitching his Tents, he became a terror both to the Inhabitants of Jeruſalem, and to the Zealots alſo; and thus were the Citizens of Jeruſalem grievouſly oppreſſed on both ſides, within by the Zealots whom John commanded; and without by Simon. In the mean time the Idumeans, who were of John's party, and were among his forces, falling at variance with him, and the matter coming to blows, they killed many of the Zealots; and then taking John's Palace, and burning it, forced him with his party into the Temple; but then they fearing (as alſo did the Citizens) leſt by night he ſhould make an excurſion into the City, and burn it, they upon conſultation ſend for Simon, and admit him into the City, that they might defend themſelves againſt John.
Veſpaſian, during theſe ſtirrs, hearing of Otho's death, began to think of freeing his Countrey from the Tyranny of Vitellius. Many of his Commanders earneſtly perſwaded him to take the Government upon him. Tiberius Alexander the Governour of Egypt, was the firſt that ſwore the Legions to him on the Calends of July, which day was afterwards kept as a Feſtival. Shortly after, the Jewiſh Army ſwore Allegiance to him; ſo that there was but one year and twenty two days, between Nero's death, and the beginning of the Reign of Veſpaſian.
Veſpaſian (the Armies in ſeveral Provinces declaring for him) now leaves Caeſarea; and ſending Mutianus with Forces into Italy, to oppoſe Vitellias, himſelf goes to Alexandria to make ſure of Egypt.
In Maeſia, Antonius Primus who held for Veſpaſian, leads the third Legion into Italy againſt Vitellius, and in the fight at Cremona againſt the Vitellians, he routs them, and puts them to flight. Then coming to Rome, and joining his Forces with Mutianus in the midſt of the City, he overthrows Vitellius's Army; and taking Vitellius himſelf, and dragging him thorow the Market-place, there cuts his Throat, after he had held the Government eight Months and five days.
Veſpaſian hearing theſe things at Alexandria, ſends his Son Titus with Forces into Judea, to finiſh that Warr; but he himſelf ſaileth into Italy.
The City of Jeruſalem was at this time divided into a threefold Faction: For Simon, whom the Citizens had admitted in, kept the higher City; and John with his Zealots poſſeſſed the outward Courts of the Temple, and the lower City. And Eleazer, who was once Captain and Commander of the Zealots (envying John, who by his boldneſs and ſubtilty had got the power into his hands, and did all things at his own pleaſure) withdrawing himſelf, and getting ſome Soldiers along with him, poſſeſſed himſelf of the inner part of the Temple, and from thence fights againſt John. And ſo John, who held the outward Circuit of the Temple, and the Porches, was forced to fight both againſt Eleazer and Simon. During theſe ſtirrs, many things about the Temple were burnt up, and the Proviſions deſtroyed which might have ſerved them a long time, and for want of which they were ſorely oppreſſed with Famine afterwards, when beſieged by the Romans.
Titus, in proſecution of his Father's Orders, comes from Alexandria to Caeſarea, where gathering his Forces together (which were Four Legions, with the Aids and Auxiliaries of the Neighbouring-Kings), marches towards Jeruſalem accompanied with Tiberius Alexander (who was in principal favour with him), and Joſeph the Jew, who for the truth of his prediction that Veſpaſian ſhould be Emperor, was now releaſed out of bonds. He ſate down within ſix or ſeven furlongs of the City, a little before the Feaſt of the Paſsover, and by that means ſhut up an infinite number of men, who had (according to cuſtom) come up to the Feaſt. And hereby all proviſions were conſumed in a very ſhort time, and a moſt cruel Famine oppreſſed them On the day of Ʋnleavened-bread (April 14.), Eleazar (who kept the inner part of the Temple) opened the Gates to the people who deſired to ſacrifice; but John taking hold of this opportunity, treacherouſly ſent many of his party in among them (with ſwords hid under their Garments), who killing Eleazar and many of his Faction, ſeized alſo on that part of the Temple; and hereby the Three Factions were reduced to Two; that under John conſiſted of 8400, and the other under Simon of 10000 fighting-men, beſides 5000 Idumeans. And notwithſtanding the Enemy was at the Walls, they brake out, the one upon the other, and the poor people ſuffered miſerably under both. The City being fortified with three Walls on every ſide, but where it was fenced with deep Valleys, Titus having with much oppoſition placed his Engines and Rams, battered the outermoſt of them, and made a breach in it; at which entring, and the Jews retiring inwards, he poſſeſſed himſelf of the North-quarter of the City, even to the Caſtle Antonia, and the Valley of Cedron. Five days after, he brake with his Rams the Second Wall, and entred; but the Beſieged making divers Salleys, repulſed him, and beat him out again. Four days after, he recovers the place again▪ and prepares for the bittering the Third Wall. He now ſends Joſeph the Hiſtorian to perſwade them to yeild; but he is entertain'd only with ſcoffs and reproaches. Many of the people thinking to eſcape out of the City, John and Simon ſtop up all paſſages. Yet the Famine encreaſing, many made ſhift to get out, who being taken by Titus, he cauſed them to be crucified On the 12th of May he began Four Mounts, wherein to place his Battering Rams; Two, near the Caſtle Antonia, by which he hoped to take the Temple; and the other Two near the Monument of John the High-Prieſt, where he thought he ſhould with moſt eaſe break into the upper part of the City. John, who was to oppoſe the Romans in the former place, caſt down the Mounts that were near his Quarter, and two days after Simon did as much by the other, though ſeventeen days had been ſpent in making of them. He deſtroyed alſo many Rams and Engines, and brake into the very Camp of the Romans, but was repell'd and forc'd into the City again. Titus now calling a Council of Warr, 'twas therein reſolved to compaſs the whole City with a Trench, which with incredible diligence and celerity was finiſhed in three day…; they built alſo thirteen Forts to hinder the flight of the Beſieged, and to hinder the conveyance of any relief into the City.
The Seditious were nothing herewith moved, though Famine not only raged among the common ſort, but themſelves alſo were preſſed by it A certain Noble Woman ſod her Child to eat it; and ſuch a Mo…tali…y enſued, that from the 14 of April to the firſt of July, were carried out to be buried at the publick charge, an incredible number of Carkaſſes of the poorer ſort, as Titus was told by one Mannaeus, who was appointed to pay the money. And ſome others certified him, that many thouſands of the ordinary ſort were caſt dead out of the Gates; and becauſe they could not carry all out, they caſt them in great heaps together into empty houſes, others they threw over the Walls, filling up the Ditches with them.
Simon, notwithſtanding all theſe calamities, abſtained not from Murthers and Rapines, but kill'd Mathias the High-Prieſt (by whom he had been let into the City) with his three Sons, and ſixteen of the Nobleſt of the people, pretending that they purpoſed to flee to the Enemy. Judas, one of his own Captains, hating his cruelty, attempted to betray a certain Tower (whereof he had the charge) to the Romans; but his deſign being diſcovered, he was put to death, with ten other of his Complices. John alſo, in theſe extremities, converted to his own, and prophane uſes, the holy things of the Temple, as Veſſels of Gold, and Silver, and the Money of the Temple; nay, he was compell'd to diſtribute to his Soldiers the very Oil and Wine ordain'd for Sacrifices.
Titus, in purſuit of his deſign, cut down all the Groves near the City, and brought in the Timber to make Forts and Engins for the ſiege, and cauſing more Mounts or Scaffolds to be made, on the fi…ſt day of July he began to batter the wall of the Caſtle Antonia, by which a breach being made on the fifth day after, they entred the Caſtle, and purſued the flying-Jews even unto the Temple. At this time many falſe Prophets (ſuborned by the Seditious) flattered the multitude with expectation of aſſiſtance from God; and therefore though Titus often exhorted them to yeeld, yet they flatly refuſed. The Romans now preſſing hard towards the Temple, the Conteſt was earneſt on both ſides. After a long skirmiſh, the Romans breaking in by Antonia, ſeized upon the North and Weſt Porches of the outward Range of the Temple; part of which Porches (eſpecially that which was join'd to Antonia) was burnt and overthrown by the Jews; and two days after, the other part was burnt by the Romans, the Jews being ſo amaz'd, that they endeavour'd not to quench it. Titus had an intention to have ſav'd the Temple; but on the tenth of Auguſt a certain Soldier without any command (nay, againſt the command of his General), moved as by inſtinct from above, caſt a flaming fire-brand into the Chambers and Buildings of the North-ſide of the Temple, which immediately taking fire, burnt the Temple alſo which joined to them, notwithſtanding all that Titus could do to prevent it. And this happened on the ſame day of the ſame Month on which the former Temple was ſet on fire by the command of Nebuchadnezzar.
The Temple thus burning, Titus was ſaluted Emperor by his Soldiers, and the Zelots and Seditious fled into the Upper City call'd Sion. They now deſire a parley with the General himſelf, who check'd them for their obſtinacy, but promiſed them life if they would yeeld to him. They being unwilling to commit themſelves to his Mercy, requir'd to depart the City with their wives and children, and to go into the Wilderneſs. Titus being enraged at theſe Propoſals, threatens them with utter deſtruction, and forthwith commands all the lower City to be ſet on fire. Then he began to aſſault the Higher City, which was ſeated on a ſteep Rock. And beginning to raiſe his Mounts on the 20th of Auguſt, and perfecting them on the 7th of September, he brings his Engines to the Walls, wherein having made a breach, the Seditious through fear and amazement deſerted their ſtrong Towers, and ſo on the 8th of September the Romans brake in and deſtroyed all with fire and ſword. Titus now commands both the City and Temple to be utterly razed to the foundation, and to be laid plain, and a Plough to be brought over it, according to cuſtom, which was done by Turnus Rufus; and ſo the Propheſie was fulfilled, Zion ſhall be plowed as a field, Mic. 3.12. Only the Weſt part of the Wall, with three Towers, for their ſtrength and beauty were preſerved, to bear witneſs of the ſtatelineſs of the City to poſterity.
Of thoſe which during the whole Warr were taken Captives, the number amounted to 97000: and of thoſe that periſhed in the ſiege, to 1100000. So heavy was the guilt that lay on them for the death of Chriſt, and ſo horrid were the enormities committed by them, that Joſephus ſays, If the Romans had delayed to come againſt them, he thought the City would either have been ſwallowed up of the earth, or have periſhed by Thunder-bolts and Lightning from Heaven, and ſo have ſuffered like Sodom; the Inhabitants whereof they exceeded in wickedneſs. See Joſephus toward the end of his ſixth Book.
And thus fell this famous City on the 8th day of September, in the ſecond year of Veſpaſian, He and Titus his Son being Conſuls, 38 years after the death of Chriſt, whoſe blood cried for vengeance againſt theſe obdurate Jews.
That this diſmal deſtruction of Jeruſalem is ſet out Mat. 24, as the deſtruction of the whole World, need not ſeem ſtrange if we conſider, that it was the deſtroying of the Lord's own Habitation, and the place choſen by Himſelf above all the places in the world, to put His Name there, and the deſtroying of the State and Polity of the Jews, who were his old peculiar people; A people once higheſt in his favour, now deepeſt in his diſpleaſure: formerly the people of his higheſt dignations; but now their caſting off was ſealed by the ruin of their City and Temple, their diſperſion and ſcattering abroad among other Nations, and their great obduration.
Titus having thus ended the Warr, returns to Caeſarea, and from thence to Antiochia in Syria, and then into Egypt, and thence ſails to Rome, where he was welcomed home by all men, and (together with his Father) triumphed for the Conqueſt of Judea.
The two Captains of the Seditious, John and Simon, who had hid themſelves, were taken, and reſerved to be led in triumph, and 700 other Jews that excelled in beauty and ſtrength; of all whom only Simon ſuffered death. The LAW alſo of the Jews was carried in this Triumph as the laſt of the ſpoils, which together with the Purple Veils of the Sanctuary, were laid up in the Palace.
From this Victory both Father and Son got the Name of Emperor; yet neither of them had the Title of Judaicus, although many other Honours, eſpecially Triumphal Arches, were decreed unto them.
A year after, Lucilius Baſſus was ſent Lieutenant into Judea, who receiving the Army from Cerealis Vitellianus, took the Caſtle Herodian and Macharua beyond Jordan.
Not long after, Veſpaſian wrote to Tiberius Maximus to ſell all the Land of the Jews; upon whom, whereſoever they lived, he impoſed a yearly Tribute to be paid into the Capitol, viz. the Didrachma or half Shekel, it being that they were wont to pay in former times unto the Temple at Jeruſalem.
A year after, Publius ſucceeds Baſſus, and finiſhes the Warr, taking the ſtrong Caſtle of Maſſada from Eleazar, the Nephew of Judas Galilaeus the Captain of the Thieves. All the Thieves in the Caſtle (to the number of 900, with their Wives and Children) at the perſwaſion of Eleazar, ſet fire on the Caſtle, and the Furniture thereof, and then put each other to death, leſt they ſhould fall into the power of the Romans. And ſo the Warr in Judea ended.
Many of the Thieves that eſcaped from Judea, fled into Egypt, to Alexandria, and there they ſollicited the Jews to revolt; but the common people taking 600 of them, delivered them up to the Romans to be puniſhed. Veſpaſian having notice of theſe things, commands Lupus the Governour of Alexandria, that he ſhould pull down the Jewiſh Temple that was there built long ago by Onias the Brother of the High-Prieſt; which he neglected to do, but only ſpoiled it of ſome of its Conſecrated things, and ſo ſhut it up. But Paulinus, his Succeſſor, having ſpoiled it of all its gifts, made an Order that none ſhould preſume to come to it; and ſo he put an end to the exerciſe of the Jewiſh Religion there, 343 years (as ſome compute) after that Temple was firſt built by Onias.
A certain Jew, a Weaver, Jonathan by name, eſcaping to Cyrene, drew 2000 Jews to follow him into the Wilderneſs, promiſing to ſhew them ſigns and wonders; but by the chiefeſt of the Jews the matter being diſcovered to Catullus, Governour of thoſe parts, he ſent Soldiers, who ſlew moſt of them; and not long after, Jonathan himſelf was taken, who accuſed the moſt wealthy of the Jews (unjuſtly) to have had a hand in this Inſurrection. To whoſe accuſations Catullus willingly giving ear, put 3000 of them to the ſword. And this he did with the greater confidence, becauſe he confiſcated their Eſtates to Caeſar's uſe. Jonathan he ſent priſoner (with others that were taken) to Veſpaſian, that he might accuſe the moſt honeſt of thoſe Jews that lived at Rome and Alexandria, as if they had held correſpondence with him; yea, he affirmed, That Joſeph the Writer of the Jewiſh Hiſtory, ſent to him both Arms and Money. But Veſpaſian looking upon this as a falſe accuſation, upon Titus's entreaty acquitted theſe men, and deſervedly puniſhed Jonathan, whom having whipped, he burnt alive. Catullus at preſent eſcaped through the mildneſs of the Emperor; but not long after, fell into grievous anguiſh of mind, and imagined he ſaw the Ghoſts of thoſe men he had ſo unjuſtly ſlain before his eyes. At laſt his guts and bowels iſſuing out of him, he died miſerably.
Here Joſephus endeth his Hiſtory of the Deſtruction of Judea. But his Jewiſh Antiquities he finiſhed not till the Thirteenth of Domitian, when he was Fifty ſix years old, as himſelf teſtifieth at the end of his Work.
I ſhall conclude all with an hearty Prayer to God for the Converſion of the Jews, and the Ʋnion of all Chriſtians.
O LORD, the Father of Mercies, let not thy indignation always burn againſt thy ancient people, nor caſt them off for ever. Though the blood of thy dear Son, our bleſſed Saviour, lies heavy upon them, and hitherto thou haſt justly hardned them; yet be pleaſed, of thy infinite mercy, to open their eyes, to unſtop their ears, to mollifie their hearts, and to cauſe them to mourn over him whom their forefathers pierced. Cauſe them to underſtand thoſe Sacred Oracles which thou didſt commit to their keeping; that our Saviour, who hath long ſince been a light to lighten the Gentiles, may, in thy due time, be the glory of thy people Iſrael; that ſo there may be but one Sheepfold, as there is but one Shepherd. For the ſpeeding of their converſion, be pleaſed to compoſe the many differences that are among Chriſtians; and ſo unite their diſagreeing-affections, that our examples may no longer diſcourage, but may invite them to embrace our Lord and Saviour, and his bleſſed Doctrine. Cauſe thy Truth, O Lord, to ſhine forth gloriouſly and triumphantly, as the Sun at noonday; and let it diſpel the thick miſt of darkneſs and error that hath overſpread ſo many Nations of the world; ſet up thy pure Worſhip, and thy own Inſtitutions every where; and throw down Idolatry and falſe worſhip where-ever it prevails. Break the yokes of oppreſſion and violence, and rebuke the ſpirit of profaneſs, impiety, intemperance, ungodlineſs; and let holineſs, righteouſneſs, brotherly-kindneſs, and charity, prevail where-ever the Goſpel of Chriſt is owned and profeſſed. Ʋnite all Chriſtians in thoſe things that are the main fundamental Principles of the Chriſtian Religion; and give them charity and mutual forbearance of each other in leſs important matters. Let all that name the Name of Chriſt, make conſcience to depart from all iniquity, and live as becomes his diſciples and ſervants. Grant this, O Lord, for thy own great Mercies, and our dear Saviour's Merits ſake; To Whom, with thy Self, and Holy Spirit, be all Honour, Glory, Praiſe, Thanksgiving, and Sincere Obedience, rendred now and for evermore. Amen.
Glory be to God in the Higheſt, on earth peace, good-will towards men.
FINIS.
DESCRIPTIO PEREGRINATIONIS D PAULI APOSTOLI Exhibens
Loca fere omnia tam in Novo Testamento quam in Actis Apoſtolorum memorata Operâ ABRAHAMI ORTELII.
Phillip Holmes ſculp
Petrus Kaerius Caelavit
End of the text · Samuel Cradock, The Apostolical History (1672)