allured by prospects of golden spoils, each seemed ambitious to excel the other in activity; and all to exceed the expectation of their Prince. Every engine of war was employed, and every mode of fortification raised, that either skill or experience could suggest; but here their operations met with an unexpected interruption. One of the city gates, suddenly thrown open, exhibited to their view a band of pitiable mourners, who wringing their hands and with saddened countenances, intreated and raised commisseration, even in the bosoms of their gentile enemies. Hastening to their relief and flying as in one person, the Romans gave every token and assurance of protection. What then was their surprise, and how were the contrary feelings excited, when instead of suppliants imploring that mercy they seemed to demand, they dropped the mask and presented themselves a body of lurking assassins! This deception too fatally showed itself by the number of those who fell a prey to this instance of Jewish perfidy; nor was the inhumanity of the contrivers of the fraud. less conspicuous, when from the stations above the walls they displayed themselves gazing on the scene with insult and delight.'

This circumstance could not fail to raise a spirit of revenge throughout the Roman army, which in all probability would have manifested itself in a more immediate and open manner, had it not been restrained by the more temperate conduct of Titus; who, under any other circumstances, would have severely reproved his soldiers for so easily becoming dupes to this artifice of the Jews In every stage of the siege, a peculiarly firm and judicious intrepidity marked the deportment (2) Bell. Jud. 5, iii. 4.

(1) Bell. Jud. 5, iii. s.

of

of Titus; and on no occasion does it appear, that any consideration tempted him to forget the character it was necessary for him to support, both as the commander of so proud an army, and the expected conqueror of a bold and numerous people. His clemency towards the Jews during the greater part of the siege is reported to have been remarkable, and that he withheld no argument by which they might be assured, that his object was not so much to wage war, as to bring them to peace among themselves, and submission to the Emperour: not so much to pour out the life-blood of their people, as to preserve them in the quiet possession of their city, and in the enjoyment of their religious liberty. But if the Lord of Life failed in opening the eyes of this blinded and ill-fated nation; it was not likely that the persuasions of a Gentile could have any. effect on such hardened obstinacy: if Christ could not reclaim them either by his commanding eloquence, by his surprising miracles, or by the threats he denounced against them; it was less probable, that the overtures of a heathen, or the scourge of destruction he held above their heads, should awaken them to a sense of their danger. Titus, therefore, looked upon them as a people doomed to slaughter, and though with a view to gain over those who were compelled to support the standard of their tyrants, and others who could not be induced to defend their cause, he made an offer of a general pardon; yet from its being a second time rejected with disdain, he determined to pursue those means, best calculated to subdue a nation, so ripe for destruction.

The Roman soldiers, eager for the attack, carried on their operations with indefatigable vigour. Fortifica

tions

tions were raised, and every other preparation made, necessary for their own defence, and for dislodging the enemy. The first onset was made upon the north-west side of the city; when Simon, who had hitherto exerted his energies only against his own countrymen, relinquished this mode of civil warfare to meet the common enemy without the gates. His undaunted bravery inspired his party with a universal spirit of courage. The Romans had endeavoured to raise banks, which from being above the height of the walls, might command those parts of the city against which they were placed; and thus assist the engines below, in the object

(1) AND WHEN YE SEE JERUSALEM ENCOMPASSED WITH ARMIES, THEN KNOW THAT THE DESOLATION THEREOF IS NIGH.-Luke, xxi. 20. This passage, to which I have already alluded, explains more particularly the sign mentioned by Daniel, of THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION STANDING IN THE HOLY PLACE; by which was meant both the appearance of the Roman army before the walls, and the besieging the holy city; for as an additional proof, that the ensigns and images of the Romans were abominations in the eyes of the Jews; Josephus states, that Pilate, coming with a band of Roman *soldiers into Jerusalem, brought the carved images of Cæsar, which were on the ensigns, into the city (Antiq. 18, iii. 1), in violation of the Jewish laws; but as soon as the people knew it, on their earnest application they were removed. It was on this account that the former Governours came into the city with ensigns, destitute of those ornaments.

No Image is to be seen at Jerusalem, their Gods they esteem indescribable, as being invisible.-Tum quosquè temporis nullum Hierosolymis simulacrum extabat: nimirum suum illum Deum ineffabilem invisibilemque existimantes.-Dio Cass. xxxvi.

Ecce negabant (Judæi) fas esse signa in solo Judææ conspici, quia in signis, multæ essent imagines.-Grotius.

Artabanus transgressus Euphratem, aquilas et signa Romana, Cæsarumque imagines adoravit —Suetonius.

Numina Legionum et bellorum Dii, signa et Aquilam amplexus religione sese tutabantur.Tacitus.

Religio tota Castrensis signa veneratur, signa jurat, signa omnibus Diis præponit.-Tertul. Apol. xvi. p. 162.

object of making a breach.' The Jews, aware of the destructive influence of these operations, exerted every nerve to render them useless; their assaults were made with an intrepidity inconceivable, whilst with an enthusiasm nothing could resist, numbers, leaping from the walls upon the machines themselves, urged every effort to destroy them, together with those who persisted in their application: at the same instant, a larger body sallying out from the Tower Hippicus, skirted by the walls till they broke suddenly upon the enemy; and after a vigorous attack and as desperate a resistance on both sides, the Romans were driven to their entrenchments, their works and engines were seized, and every method for destroying them prepared; when Titus, unexpectedly coming up at the head of a detachment of his troops, rescued his machines from destruction, and drove the assailants back to the city; having cut off by his own hand twelve of the leaders in their retreat. The Romans at length having established and fortified their towers, began to gain every advantage for which they were designed: their success served only to renew the efforts of the enemy, whose courage prompted them to such exertions, as had they been contending with any but experienced veterans, would have carried victory before them: but the steady discipline of the legions was irresistible, and their exertions manifested such superior power and address, that the Jews were thrown into utter confusion. In the mean while missile weapons, firebrands, and stones of

(1) The engines worked by the 10th legion were capable of throwing stones, weighing 113 pounds, to a distance of more than two furlongs, or a quarter of a mile; and with so great a force, as to do considerable injury to those some way behind it. Bell. Jud. 5, vi. 3.

A &

of an enormous size, showered down in torrents upon the city. Animated by the brave example of their General, the soldiers felt inspired with equal courage; and bringing their battering rams to bear upon the first of the outer walls; soon effected a breach, through which they rushed with unrestrained impetuosity.1 Here they were exposed to perils which at first sight appeared insurmountable; surrounded on all sides by the enemy, and within reach of engines from every quarter; there seemed but little probability that they could long maintain their ground: but to retreat in this early stage would have raised the spirit and expectation of the Jews; who instead of being appalled with dread by the vigour and success of the first encounter, would have been animated to make a still more obstinate resistance. To confront, rather than avoid dangers which seemed to lead to the possession of so much wealth; was a feeling inherent, at that time, in the breast of almost every Roman:2 blind, therefore, to every obstacle, and unmindful of every disadvantage, they carried on their attacks with such unabated spirit, that the Jews were put to flight on all sides: invigorated by success, and impetuous to pursue the enemy, they struck a general consternation in the minds of the besieged; of which they would have found it difficult to divest themselves, had not Titus, satisfied with the possession of the first wall, re-called his soldiers. for the purpose of effectually destroying it.

Thus

"(1) AND HE SHALL BESIEGE THEE IN ALL THY GATES, UNTIL THY HIGH AND FENCED WALLS COME DOWN, WHEREIN THOU TRUSTEDST. Deut. xxviii. 52.

This took place on the 15th day of the siege, about the 7th of May. (2) This principle was far from being disinterested; too many, as even Tacitus has given us reason to believe," poscebantque pericula, pars virtute, "multi ferociâ et cupidine præmiorum." Hist. v. 11,