The apostolical history containing the acts, labours, travels, sermons, discourses, miracles, successes, and sufferings of the Holy Apostles from Christ's ascention to the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus : a brief description whereof is here inserted : also, a narration of the particular times and occasions upon which the apostolical epistles were written, together with a brief analytical paraphrase of them : to which is added (for the better understanding of this history) a map of the Apostle Paul's travels ... / by Samuel Cradock.

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 in∣tirely 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* 1.1 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 be∣fore 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 be∣gitting 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, outra∣giously 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 Flo∣rus, 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 Pro∣phecy* 1.2 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 them∣selves, 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, Tibe∣rias, 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 Ro∣mans 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 de∣sired 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 Ca∣stles of Hippico, Phasaelus, and Mariamne; where, being besie∣ged, and yeelding upon composition, and delivering their arms, yet contrary to all faith they were put to death.

On the day following* 1.3, 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 Me∣tropolis 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 ea∣sily 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 An∣tipatris(a) 1.4, 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 sub∣tilty and fraud of John the Son of a certain Levite (of whom more afterward), and by the envy of some of the Gover∣nours 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 Jeru∣salem, 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 Soldi∣ers 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 Tra∣gedies and the Olympick Sports, declaring unto him the trou∣bled state of Judea. Nero being much moved with this News, sends Vespasian thither. Vespasian having received this Com∣mand 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-de∣gree 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 accep∣ted 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* 1.5. 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 Ti∣berias 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 en∣clin'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 de∣sirous 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 unani∣mous 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 Coun∣trey from ruin. Hereupon he prepares to go against Jerusalem. And that he might leave no••hing behind him that might trou∣ble ••••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 be∣yond the River, even to the Lake Asphaltis, except the Castle of Macherun; and so having appointed Garrisons for the seve∣ral 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 Jerusa∣lem; 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 Ar∣my 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 Fa∣ther at Caesarea, they being in suspence (the Empire now totter∣ing) 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 en∣creasing his Forces, he came at last to that power, that he con∣quered all Idumea, and wasted Judea, and at length came be∣fore 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 kil∣led 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 Ca∣lends 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 Cre∣mona 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 him∣self saileth into Italy.

The City of Jerusalem was at this time divided into a three∣fold 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 Elea∣zer, 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 after∣wards, when besieged by the Romans.

Titus, in prosecution of his Father's Orders, comes from Alex∣andria to Caesarea, where gathering his Forces together (which were Four Legions, with the Aids and Auxiliaries of the Neigh∣bouring-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 opportu∣nity, 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 fight∣ing-men, besides 5000 Idumeans. And notwithstanding the Ene∣my 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 reti∣ring 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 peo∣ple 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 cru∣cified 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 Ro∣mans, but was repell'd and forc'd into the City again. Titus now calling a Council of Warr, 'twas therein resolved to com∣pass the whole City with a Trench, which with incredible di∣ligence and celerity was finished in three day••; they built also thirteen Forts to hinder the flight of the Besieged, and to hin∣der 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 Cap∣tains, 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, sei∣zed 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, a∣gainst the command of his General), moved as by instinct from above, cast a flaming fire-brand into the Chambers and Build∣ings of the North-side of the Temple, which immediately taking fire, burnt the Temple also which joined to them, notwithstand∣ing 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 com∣mit 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 ut∣ter 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 Sep∣tember, 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 com∣mands both the City and Temple to be utterly razed to the foun∣dation, 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 state∣liness 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 com∣mitted by them, that Josephus says, If the Romans had delayed to come against them, he thought the City would either have been swal∣lowed up of the earth, or have perished by Thunder-bolts and Light∣ning from Heaven, and so have suffered like Sodom; the Inhabi∣tants 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 Con∣suls, 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 Ha∣bitation, 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 peo∣ple; A people once highest in his favour, now deepest in his dis∣pleasure: 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 Na∣tions, 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 Em∣peror; 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 Ca∣stle 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 Fur∣niture 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 neglect∣ed 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 Cy∣rene, drew 2000 Jews to follow him into the Wilderness, pro∣mising 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, be∣cause 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 Alex∣andria, as if they had held correspondence with him; yea, he af∣firmed, 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 deser∣vedly 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 imagi∣ned 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 al∣ways 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 fore∣fathers 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 em∣brace our Lord and Saviour, and his blessed Doctrine. Cause thy Truth, O Lord, to shine forth gloriously and triumphantly, as the Sun at noon∣day; 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, intem∣perance, 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 ser∣vants. 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, ren∣dred now and for evermore. Amen.

Glory be to God in the Highest, on earth peace, good-will towards men.

Notes

• * 1.1

  See Luc. 21.11.
• * 1.2

  Suetonius Vesp. c. 4. Pererebue∣rat oriente toto vetus & constans opinio, esse in fatis, ut eo tempore Ju∣dea profecti rerum potirentur. Id de Imperatore Romano (quantum eventu postea paruit) praedictum, Judaei ad se trahentes, rebellârunt. Ac similiter Cornel. Tacitus, Hist. lib. 5.
• * 1.3

  Sic Mat∣thias, in Thea∣tro Historico.
• (a) 1.4

  After Ce∣stius's his rai∣sing his siege, many of the Christians that were in Jerusalem, got out of the City, and fled (••s Eusebius says) to ••ella, being warn∣ed by our Sa∣viour 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 occupa∣tam fuiss••; sed & obsidente civitatem Cestio, in interiorem partem se recopisse, testatur Josephu•• lib. 5. cap. 2.
• * 1.5

  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.