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common necessaries of life; while the destruction of "the common people was regarded as a publie ". benefit."

Titus again resumed his projects, and shortly returned to the attack; the former breach was chosen for the scene of action, where by incessant discharges of missile weapons, and the determined energies of the legions; the Jews, after three days unwearied opposition were once more routed and driven from the ramparts. The fourth day exhibited the besiegers, not as before, in a partial possession of a station which they could not well maintain; but occupied in laying this hardearned fortification level with the ground. The towers on the south-side were garrisoned, and every advantage sought, by which the last assault upon the remaining wall might be carried with effect. Wearied with the exertions already made, they admitted a temporary relaxation, with a view to give leisure to recruit their own strength, and to afford the Jews time to reflect upon the posture of their affairs: that they might con vince themselves by the manner in which they had been so often and so decisively defeated, that Titus held a superiority which no Jewish power could resist;. and that their only alternative was to conclude a peace upon equitable terms, before he resorted to still more vigorous measures. The legions therefore were drawn up around the wall in the sight of the besieged, with

(1) Bell. Jud. 5, viii. 2.

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(2) AND NOW GO TO: I WILL TELL YOU WHAT I WILL DO TO MY VINEYARD; I. WILL TAKE AWAY THE HEDGE THEREOF, AND IT SHALL BE EATEN UP; AND BREAK DOWN THE WALL THEREOF, AND IT SHALL BE TRODDEN DOWN: AND I WILL LAY IT WASTE: IT SHALL NOT BE PRUNED, NOR DIGGED; BUT THERE SHALL COME UP BRIERS AND THORNS: I WILL ALSO COMMAND THE CLOUDS, THAT THEY RAIN NO. BAIN, UPON IT. Isa. v. 5, 6..

an intention to display that force and discipline, which by striking them with consternation, might be attended with effects beneficial to themselves, and desirable to Titus. Four days were suffered to elapse before any hostile measures were adopted; but on the fifth, no overture from the Jews being made,' the army was divided, and the forces so disposed that a premeditated attack might be attempted, which had the destruction of the upper city and the temple for its avowed object. Both sides resorted to former stratagems, but without effect on the part of the Romans; who though not dispossessed of any advantages previously obtained, were unable to make any further impression; the Jews stoutly maintaining their ground, and defending the remaining wall with that obstinacy, which every individual feels when contending for an object, with the loss of which, his last and only hope must vanish. The offensive efforts of Titus receiving a check here, induced him to pursue other means than those hitherto exerted; for which purpose he laid aside compulsatory, to adopt persuasive measures; and sent Josephus within hearing of those stationed on the walls, to address them in a speech; in which he showed them the absurdity of contending against the Romans, since their nation had evidently been deserted by that God, who, had they been engaged in a good cause, would have rescued them now, as he had their ancestors upon similar occasions. He therefore recommended them to desist

(1) Bell. Jud. 5, ix. 2.

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Christ on approaching Jerusalem BEHELD THE CITY AND WEPT OVER IT, BAYING, IF THOU HADST KNOWN, EVEN THOU, AT LEAST IN THIS THY DAY, THE THINGS WHICH BELONG TO THY PEACE! BUT NOW THEY ARE HID FROM THING EYES! Luke, xix. 41, 42

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desist from further contentions, in the event of which, Titus would re-instate them in the perfect and peaceable enjoyment of their possessions, and in the practice of their religious worship. "Besides," continued he, "do you not perceive that those springs which were "almost dried up when in your possession, have since "the coming of the Romans, run more plentifully than "they did before? You know too, that Siloam as well as other springs about the city, so far failed, that "water was sold by the pitcher; instead of which, "there is now so abundant a supply of it for your "enemies, as is sufficient not only for them and their " cattle to drink; but for watering their gardens also. "The same remarkable interference of divine Provi"dence was witnessed formerly when the King of Baby"lon made war against us, at the time he took the city " and destroyed the temple; though the men of that age were far removed from that degree of wicked"ness, of which you yourselves are guilty."1

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However natural it may seem, that a people surrounded as the Jews were by a foreign enemy, should make every resistance, and use every endeavour to repel the attacks of any invaders of their country; yet it must be remembered that they were Roman subjects by conquest, and had for a series of years, acknowledged that subjection, and paid their tribute to the invading power; and that an attempt on their part was now suddenly made to revolt from the one, and to deny the other. So that from these considerations it must be admitted, that the Romans were, with great reason, induced to prosecute a war against a people who natu

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(1) Bell. Jud. 5. ix. 4,

rally endeavoured to shake off the trammels of a foreign yoke.' The great consideration therefore, for the Jews, was to reflect whether from general circumstances the hand of God were at all discernible; and if so, whether it were to their advantage or against it. The failure of these springs was an argument well adapted to determine this point; for it may be supposed, from what little we read on the subject, that this was evidently an uncommon event, and one that had happened only, when for their iniquity, they were visited by the displeasure of heaven.

Another circumstance which seems to afford a similar admonitory warning, was the existing prevalence of disaffection, and contentions among them; for it must have been equally evident to them, as to us, "that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand." These, connected with other prognostics of desolation

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(1) The argument which Xenophon puts into the mouth of Cyrus, when remonstrating with the King of Armenia on his sudden defection and revolt, might, with equal propriety, be applied to the Jews, by the Romans-" For what "reason," said that Conqueror," have you violated your treaty against us "in every article?"-" Because," replied the King, " I thought it glorious "to shake off a yoke, to live free, and to leave my children in the same "condition."—" It is really glorious," answered Cyrus, " to fight in defence "of liberty; but if any one, after he is reduced to servitude, should attempt "to run away from his master, what would you do with him?"-" I confess," said the King, "I would punish him!"-" But, if you had committed a "government to the care of any one, and he should carry on designs against you with your enemies, how would you treat him?"-" Though I should 66 pass sentence upon myself," replied the King, " I must declare the truth: "I would put him to death."-Yet such arguments would carry no weight either in favour of Cyrus or Titus, unless the original motives, for bringing their vanquished under subjection, were founded upon just and proper principles; without these, no right of this nature can exist in any Conqueror; nor can a lapse of years make that title good, which was in itself originally faulty,

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and ruin, although many perhaps were ideal and super. stitious, yet from gaining a general belief, may be considered as having the same effect with real indications on their minds; plainly manifested their hardened obstinacy; while they pointed, as it were, in a striking manner at the Romans, as the instruments, made use of by the Almighty to execute his will, and to punish their wickedness. 1

A famine within the city now began to rage in a manner truly deplorable, daily increasing the horrour and misery of the infatuated people. Tyranny on the one hand, and want on the other left no alternative; so that many of the lower classes succeeded in deserting to the Romans: but these attempts were attended with imminent danger; for not only detected deserters were punished with certain death, but many among the higher ranks were indiscriminately murdered, on pretence of preventing their escape, though in reality with a view to plunder their possessions. It was a striking feature in this siege, that the madness of the factions kept pace with the increase of the famine: and as private right is too apt to be sacrificed to public injustice by those whose minds have abandoned the exercise of a moral principle, or whose feelings are callous to the femonstrances of conscience; these lawless assassins, unable to procure corn in public, broke open houses of individuals, merely to gratify an expectation of finding it even in the smallest quantity. If any happened to be discovered, the possessors were accused of having secreted it; and were instantly condemned to endure the severest treatment: if on the contrary none was found, they were stili barbarously tortured on the charge of a more studious concealment of stores they

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