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CHAP. I.

Origin of the Roman Power in Judea, with its continuance to the time of the destruction of Jerusalem. — The character of Titus

CHAP. II

The History and Topography of Jerusalem and the Temple

CHAP. III.

Events foretold by Christ, as symptomatic of the approaching ruin of the Jewish polity

CHAP. IV.

The revolt of the Jews, and the circumstances which led to it.— Titus marches against Jerusalem.— His army described.— The three factions within the City commanded by Simon, John, and Eleazar described. — Titus advances with his army to the walls.— His attack upon the City. — The first wall taken

CHAP. V.

Titus' successful attack upon the second wall. — Encamps within the first, and offers terms of peace. These being refused, a second assault is made. — The second wall taken. — The famine within the City described and the horrours attending it 

CHAP. VI.

The Jews desert to Titus.— Terms of Capitulation again offered, and again rejected. — The Romans receive a check. — A council of war called. — The whole City surrounded by a wall. — The famine at this period described. — The excessive cruelty of the soldiers towards the Jewish deserters. — Fortifications raised, and the woods around the City cut down

CHAP. VII.

The Romans take the tower of Antonia, and make an unsuccessful attack upon the Temple. — Titus addresses the Jews. — Another assault upon the Temple made, and without effect. — The state of the famine in the City described.— A mother puts her child to death, and feeds upon it, with a view more particularly to stigmatize the seditious. — A third unsuccessful attempt made upon the Temple. — The Romans call a council of war. — The last attack upon the Temple succeeds. — The surrounding buildings are set on fire. — Titus enters the Temple. — The Temple is burnt, and a dreadful carnage of the Jews ensues. — Six thousand people killed who are assembled by an impostor.

CHAP. VIII.

The signs and portents prognosticating the destruction of the Temple and City enumerated. — Titus proclaimed Imperator. — The Priests of the Temple put to death. The third wall is taken, and the upper City entered and burnt. — John and Simon, the leaders of the factions, are imprisoned. — The number of the inhabitants and others slain and made captive. — The whole City laid in complete ruin, and the Romans return to their capital

CHAP. IX.

The completion of the Prophecies relating to events immediately succeeding the destruction of the City and the downfall of the nation. — The Nazarenes. — Hadrian builds Aelia Capitolina upon the ruins of Jerusalem, and erects Temples for heathen worship. — The Christian Church established. — Helena's visit to the Holy Land. — Discovers
the true Cross.— Constantine builds Churches upon spots consecrated by the sufferings of Christ — Julian, the Apostate, endeavours to rebuild the Temple of the Jews.— His failure.— Alexander's shnilar attempt and failure to turn the channel of the Euphrates.— Reflections arising from the subject of the Work

Conclusion. — Authorities referred to

 

PREFACE

The siege and destruction of Jerusalem, by Titus Vespasian, have occupied the attention of many writers; some few of whom have noticed the prophecies relating to both these events in a general manner: with a view to illustrate other topics with which they have been connected. Dr. Lardner, with his usual learning and precision, has treated the subject more fully than any other writer; yet he has not entered into all its connections; and seems to have omitted, as irrelevant to the object of his work; not only the prophecies of the Old Testament, but, with the exception of such of our Saviour’s predictions as refer to events preceding the destruction, almost all those of the new; together with many other striking circumstances by which the History of the Siege is materially affected. [Jewish Testimonies, vol 7.] Archbishop Newcome [Observations on the Conduct of our Lord.] with a view to shew the fulfilment of all things spoken by Christ as a Prophet, has discussed such matters as are connected with those prophecies alone; and has proved very largely their regular accomplishment from the work of the Jewish Historian: but as his intention was not to enter into the particulars of the Jewish History during the time of the siege; or into any other detail than what either very briefly manifested, or could immediately establish the prophetic character of Christ; his investigation was not designed to answer the purpose of a History of the signal downfall of the City and Nation of the Jews.

Bishop Newton [Dissertations on the Prophecies] and Mr. Kett [History, the Interpreter of Prophecy.] both introduce us to the subject by means of the Prophecies themselves, and consequently relate no other particulars than are requisite concisely to exhibit their completion, Others might be mentioned, who, though they have only partially treated, have added much to the general elucidation of the subject: [Whitby on Matt. xxiv.—Tillotson’s Sermons, etc.] so that little more seems necessary to form a detailed History of the overthrow of Jerusalem, as connected with the Scripture Prophecies; than a compilation from the works of these various authors in conjunction with that of Josephus; and consequently the degree of merit must be trifling that can accrue to an attempt of this nature.

But however small the merit, the utility of such an undertaking is evidently great; not only as it furnishes a most signal assurance that the vengeance of heaven is the inevitable consequence of national guilt; but as it confirms the accomplishment of the most ancient prophecies; corroborates the authenticity of the gospel; and stamps the divine character of Him by whom that gospel was delivered, [This prophecy stands eminently distinguished by its singular importance and the great variety of matter which it embraces, affording so decisive, so irresistible a proof of the divine authority of our religion, Bp. Porteus.] With a desire to attain these important ends, the works of the authors alluded to have been impartially, though not indiscriminately, employed in drawing up the following pages: and such an account is presented to the reader as may [Quod si quis Servatoris nostri verba cum iis comparet, quae ad codem Scriptore de universo bello commemorata sunt, fieri non potest quin admiretur praescientiam ac predictionem Servatoris nostri, earn que vere divinam et supra modum stupendam esse fateatur.] at one view, make him acquainted with the Jewish and Roman histories, so far as they are connected with the subject of the work; with the City and Temple of Jerusalem as they were standing at the time of Christ’s appearance, and for some time afterwards; with the various stages and proceedings of this destructive siege; and with every corresponding particular recorded in Holy Writ; in the order of their occurrence.

Nothing appears better calculated to reward the attention of the serious observer of religion, than the contemplation of this part of the Jewish History, and. its connection with the writings of the Evangelists; for, as Eusebius has remarked—”If any man will compare the words of our Saviour with the whole History of the Jewish war, as related by Josephus; he cannot forbear to admire and acknowledge our Lord’s prescience and prediction to be wonderful above nature, and truly divine:” [Euseb, Eccl. Hist. iii. 7.] nor does it seem less probable that he could fail to be forcibly struck with the completion of those predictions also of the ancient prophets, [The prophecies of the Old Testament referring to the former destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, were most of them fulfilled a second time by Titus; indeed, they apppear to bear a particular reference to this latter siege.] which though not so singularly precise, or so remarkable, as those of our Saviour; from their antiquity and evident application, in no less a degree establish the revered characters of those by whom they were spoken; and the infinite power and wisdom of Him, by whose spirit they were made to shew and promulgate the mysteries of futurity.

If we want reasons for believing in a divine revelation, what stronger proofs can be brought in confirmation of its truth, than the plain discovery of the fulfilment of those things which that revelation has predicted: predicted too, to substantiate its validity, and to confirm the assurances that the conditions it Imposes are those best calculated to benefit mankind? If then, by shewing the predictions of a prophet to have been verified after his death, the character of that prophet is confirmed; and as none can see into futurity but God alone; that, therefore, the prophet has been directed by the divine spirit: and consequently that nothing he has spoken professedly in his prophetic character can be otherwise than true ; it follows that a revelation of the will of God to man is established whenever such declarations are proved to have been fulfilled; and the importance of the objects to which the obedience of mankind has thus been directed, is rendered at the same time equally conspicuous. Now, though the certainty of a divine revelation may have been abundantly manifested by the completion of a variety of other scripture prophecies, as well as by those now under consideration; yet, by bringing the History of the Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem into a form calculated to excite an interest in the mind even of an indifferent reader; and to set the events, as they occur, on a parallel with the prophecies which relate to them; it surely appears highly probable that a more ready assent to the truth of the scriptures will be given, a seriousness and application to their subject may be induced, and a stronger, if not a confirmed belief of revelation, finally extorted.

If objects so great and desirable as these, can be obtained by such investigations, their utility is manifestly obvious: and he, who by a work of this description can so far interest his reader as to induce him to make further researches, which ultimately may confirm hint in the belief and exercise of his religion, will derive a satisfaction which will amply re-pay the labour it may have cost him in its execution.

With a view to elucidate the authenticity of the gospel narratives, and to establish the divine character of Him whose actions and doctrines they record; the Author of the following pages has endeavoured to prove, first, that the Evangelists themselves both lived and wrote at the periods assigned them by Christian tradition: and secondly, that in the volume of Josephus, we have the ungarbled testimony of that eminent person. These particulars are briefly comprised in the Introduction: the occasion of the Jewish war and its continuance till the time of Titus, constitutes the first chapter of the work. The history and topography of the city and temple, the second; and the prophecies, the fulfilment of which was appointed to precede the destruction, together with their accomplishment; form the subject of the third. The remaining chapters contain a detail of the various particulars of the siege with the predictions of the Prophets and of Christ introduced as notes, together with whatever observations the subject occasionally suggested; besides other circumstances in the history itself.

The conclusion concisely enumerates the authorities upon which the accomplishment of the prophecies is founded. This outline is sufficient to shew, that the writer can establish but little, if any claim to more originality than what perhaps may be attached to the manner in which he has arranged the materials, and endeavoured to elucidate the subject: but whatever merit may be due to this part of his undertaking, he considers as the effect of that kind and friendly assistance afforded him by the Reverend Reginald Heber; by whose approval and encouragement, the work has been prosecuted and extended beyond the limits of its original design.

CONCLUSION.

The evidence made use of and applied to the establishment of the important points now discussed, is such as cannot be rejected by the scruples of any rational or thinking mind. No other has been adduced than that of writers in no way connected or interested in the matter, but such indeed, as if they were not inimical to the Christian Religion, were at least perfectly indifferent, or altogether ignorant of it.

Josephus the Jewish Historian, both from the religion of his nation, as well as from that of the Romans he befriended, was the least inclined to be a favourer of that which he speaks of as insignificant; and whose divine author, if he mention him at all, he considers only as the leader of an inconsiderable sect of deluded and infatuated Jews.

Bp. Newton observes, that "he" (Josephus) "doth not so much as once mention the name of false Christs, though he hath frequently occasion to speak largely of false prophets ; so cautious was he of touching upon any thing, that might lead him to the acknowledgment of the true Christ.  His silence here is as remarkable, as his copiousness upon other subjects.

Paley, in his Evidences of Christianity, considers either the passage as genuine, or the silence of Josephus designed. Vol. 1, p. 121.

Vide Marsh's Michaelis and Gibbon's Roman Hist. voL ii. p. 40, and notes. Also, Whiston's Dissertation on this subject, prefixed to his translation of Josephus. From these it will appear, that the genuineness of this passage has been given up by Christians upon very inadequate grounds

With respect to the testimony afforded by Heathen authors who flourished soon after the Christian aera, as they were still less acquainted with the propagators of Christianity, or the grounds upon which their principles were founded, so are they less concerned about the doctrines and precepts they had taught ; so that the truth of the fulfilment of the predictions of Christ, to which we have more particularly alluded, rests upon authorities no way bearing reference either to Jesus Christ, or to his religion.

In tracing, therefore, the accomplishment of those prophecies relating to the destruction of the city and people of the Jews, two material points may have been obtained : The one establishing the authenticity of the Gospel, the other confirming the divine character of Him who is the subject of it : for as we trust it has been shewn by sufficient testimony in the Introduction
to this History, that the Gospel Prophecies were delivered at the time there mentioned; and that it has now been proved, by the History itself, that they were afterwards " in the fulness of time," accomplished ; it necessarily follows, that He who is the subject of them must have been endued with that divine power and wisdom his followers have uniformly ascribed to him.

We may then safely consider this prophecy as an unquestionable proof of the divine foreknowledge of our Lord, and the divine authority of the Gospel; and on this ground only (were it necessary), we might securely rest the whole fabric of our religion.
 

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS

A

His Grace the Duke of Atholl.
Her Grace the Duchess of Atholl.
The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of St. Asaph,
Sir T. D. Ackland, Bart. M. P.
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Mrs. C. Acton, Ipswich, Suffolk.
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B

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Sir John Barrington, Bart. Swainston, Newport, Isle of Wight.
Sir Charles Blunt, Bart.
Lady Blunt.
Rev. Dr. Barrow, Prebendary, Southwell, Nottinghamshire.
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Rev. H. Browne, Rector of Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire.
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Miss Burroughs, Bath.

C

Earl of Caledon. Hon. Lady Cockerell, (2 copies.)
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Mrs. Conolly, 87, Portland Place.
Rev. John Conybeare, Batheastern, Bath.
Rev. Wm. Conybeare.
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D

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Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Down and Connor.
Lady Harriet Drummond.
Lady Dolben.
Thomas Dashwood, Esq, Crescent, Bath.
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Captain D’Oyle, R. N.
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Rev. Dr. Hay Drummond, Prebendary of York and Southwell, (2 copies.)
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E

Earl of Elgin. Viscount Elmley. Lord Erskine.
Honourable Miss Erskine.
Richard Earle, Esq. St. John’s College, Cambridge.
Rev. P. Elmsley, Pheasant Grove, Chislehurst, Kent.
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F

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Rear Admiral Frank, M.P. Kirtlington, Nottinghamshire.
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G

Earl Gower.
Viscountess Galway.
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T.S. Gooch, Esq. M.P. Bramfield Hall, Suffolk.
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H

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Mrs. Warren Hastings.
Captain Hay, 73d Regiment.
Mrs. Hay.
Robert Hay, Esq. Admiralty, (2 copies.)
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Rev. J. D. Hustler, Fellow and Tutor of Trinity College, Cambridge.
Mr. Hutchinson, Southwell, Nottinghamshire.
Charles Hurt, Esq. Wirksworth, Derbyshire.

I

Earl of Ilchester.
Lady Imhoff, (2 copies.)
R. H. Inglis, Esq. Carnatic Office.
Rev. C. Johnson, Rector of Bildestone, Suffolk.

K

Earl of Kinnoull,
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Samuel Knight, Esq. Milton, Cambridgeshire.
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Rev. F. Fortescue Knottesford, Stoke, Suffolk.
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L

Captain Leacroft, Cliff House, Matlock.
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M

Earl Manvers.
Rev. Dr. Maltby, Buckden, Huntingdonshire.
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O

Earl of Onslow,
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Lady Oswald.

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Capt. Pigott, R. N.
Rev. J. Plampin, Chadacre, Suffolk.
J. D. Porcher, Esq. M. P. 16, Devonshire Place.
Rev. William Powell, Hadleigh, Suffolk.
Mrs. Purvis, Blackbrook, Fareham, Hants.

R

Lord Rodney.
Lady Reade, Shipton Court, Oxfordshire.
Rev. J. H. Randolph, Gray’s Inn.
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Mrs. Reade, Ipsden House, Wallingford.
Rev. T. Redman, Kirkharle, Northumberland.
Abraham Reeve, Esq. Hadleigh, Suffolk.
Colonel Roberts, 10, Upper Grosvenor Street.
Mrs. Roberts.
Rev. F. Rose, Hadleigh, Suffolk.
J. Round, Esq. M. P. Colchester.
Rev. Dr. Routh, President of Magdalen College, Oxford,
Rev. Joshua Rowley, Rector of Stoke, Suffolk.

S

His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex.
Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Salisbury.
Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Mann.
Lady Seton, Great Cumberland Place.
Mrs. Sampson, 38, Harley Street.
W. C. Sherbrooke, Esq. Oxton, Nottinghamshire, (2 copies.)
Sir John Simeon, St. John’s Ryde, Isle of Wight.
Edward Simeon, Esq. St. John’s Ryde, Isle of Wight.
Richard Simeon, Esq. St. John’s Ryde, Isle of Wight.
Mr. Simpson, Hadleigh, Suffolk.
William Smyth, Esq. Professor of Modem History, Cambridge.
Robert Smythe, Esq. Methven Castle, Edinburgh.
Rev. J. Sneyd, Elford, Lichfield.
Dr. Storer, Nottingham.
Rev. R. Sutton, Broughton, Nottinghamshire,

T

H. Trail, Esq. 33, Lower Brook Street.
Rev. R. W. Tunny, Chaplain to the Forces.
Mrs. Turner, 21, Upper Wimpole Street.

V

Rev. Ashton Vade, Vicar of Hardington, Northamptonshire.

W

Right Hon. Lady Elizabeth Whitbread. Hon. Mrs, Waldegrave.
Lady Wake.
Miss Wake, Pheasant Grove, Chislehurst, Kent.
T. Wakefield, Esq. Wendover, Bucks.
Rev. Dr. Warnford, Bourton on the Hill, Gloucestershire.
Rev. H. Watkins, Conisbro’, Yorkshire.
Mrs. Westcombe, Langford Grove, Maldon, Essex.
Rev. J. White, Fellow of Caius College, Cambridge.
T. Wilkinson, Esq. 8, Fitzroy Square.
Robert Wilmot, Esq. 23, Montague Square.
William Wilshire, Esq. Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
Richard Wilson, Esq. 47, Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
Mrs. Wilson.
Percy Wilson, Esq. St. John’s College, Cambridge.
R. Woodhouse, Esq. Fellow of Caius College, Cambridge.
S. Wright, Esq. Gunthorpe Lodge, Nottinghamshire.
T. Wright, Esq. Norwood Park, Nottinghamshire.

Y

His Grace the Lord Archbishop of York.
Mrs. Young, 48, Welbeck Street.