taken by force but by famine alone. By these means the days were fhortened ;' and indeed otherwise Jerufalem could never have been taken in so short a time, so well fortified as it was, and so well fitted to fuftain a longer fiege. The enemy without could hardly ever have prevailed but for the factions and feditions within. Titus himself could not but ascribe his fuccefs to God, as he was viewing the fortifications, after the city was taken. His words to his friends were very remarkable. "We have fought, a

faid he, with God on our fide; and it is God who hath pulled the Jews out of these ftrong holds; for what could the hands of men or machines against thefe towers?" God therefore in the opinion of Titus as well as of St Mark, 'fhortened the days.' After the deftruction of Jerufalem too, God inclined the heart of Titus to take fome pity upon the remnant of the Jews, and to restrain the nations from exercifing the cruelty that they would have exercifed towards them. At Antioch particularly (where the difciples were firft called Chriftians) the fenate and the people earnestly importuned him to expel the Jews out of the city; but he prudently answered, that their country whither they fhould return being laid waste there was no place that could receive them. Then they requested him to deprive the Jews of their former privileges, but thofe he permitted them to enjoy as before. Thus for the elect's fake thofe days' of perfecution "were shortened.'

Our bleffed Lord had cautioned his difciples against falfe Chrifts and falfe prophets before, but he giveth a more particular caution against them about the time of the fiege and destruction of Jerufalem, ver. 23. and 24. Then if any man shall fay unto you, Lo here is Chrift or there, believe it not; For there fhall arife falfe Chrifts and falfe prophets, and fhall fhow great figns and wonders, infomuch that (if it were poffible) they fhall deceive the very elect.' And in fact many such impostors did arife

d Ibid. Cap. 9. Sed. I. συν Θεῳ γ' επολεμησαμέν, εφη, και Θεος ἣν ὁ τωνδί των ερυματων Ιεδαίες καθελών. επει χειρες τε ανθρωπων η μηχανα, το 2005 THTY'S THE WURY8; duvavtal; Deo, inquit, favente bellavimus, Deus eft, qui Judaeos ex iftis munimentis detraxit ; nam humang manus et machinæ quid contra tales turres valeant? p. 1290.

e

Jofeph. ibid. Lib. 7. Cap. 5, Sect. 2.

h

rise about that time, as we learn from f Jofephus, and promised deliverance from God, being fuborned by the tyrants or governors to prevent the people and foldiers from deferting to the Romans; and the lower the Jews were reduced, the more difpofed would they be to liften to thefe deceptions, and the more ready to follow the deceivers. Hegefippus too in 8 Eufebius mentions the coming of falfe Christs and falfe prophets about the same time. But as it was to little purpose for a man to take upon him the character of the Chrift, or even of a prophet, without miracles to vouch his divine miffion; fo it was the common artifice and pretence of these impoftors to fhow figns and wonders,' ansia na rigala, the very words ufed by Christ in his prophecy, and by Jofephus in his hiftory. Simon Magus performed great wonders according to the account that is given of him in the Acts of the Apoftles, viii. 9, 10, 11. There was a certain man called Simon, which before time in the city used forcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was fome great one: To whom they all heed from the least to the greateft, faying, This man is the great power of God: And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with forceries.' Dofitheus likewife was reputed to work wonders according to Origen: Barchochebas too, who * Jerome faith pretended to vomit flames. Such alfo were the Jews, of whom St Paul fpeaketh, 2 Tim. iii 8, 13. comparing them to Jannes and Jambres,' famous magicians of Egypt, who withstood Mofes, as these alfo refifted the truth, men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith,' women artewwo, xas yoles, wicked men and impoftors.'

i

་

་

k

gave

* πολλοί δ' ησαν εγκάθετοι παρα των τυραίνων τοτε προς τον δήμον προφή ται, προσμένειν την από το Θε8 βοήθειαν καταγγέλλοντες, ὡς ἡτον αυτόμολοιεν, και τις επάνω διες και φυλακής γινομένες ελπις παρακρατη· τριεθεται δε τα χέως ανθρωπα εν συμφοραίς. Multi autem tunc a tyrannis fubornati erant ad populum prophetae, denunciantes effe auxilium a deo exfpectandum, ut populus minus transfugeret, et eos, qui fupra metum erant et cuftodes, fpes retineret. Cito autem in adverfis homini perfuadetur. Lib. 6. Cap. 5. Sect. 2. p. 1281. Edit. Hudson.

Eufeb. Ecclef. Hift. Lib. 4. Cap. 22.

h Jofeph. Antiq. Lib. 20. Cap. 7. Sect. 6. p. 893. Edit. Hudfon. Vide etiam de Bell. Jud. Lib. 7. Cap. II. Sect. I.

i Contra Celfum, Lib. 6. Cap. 11. p. 638. Vol. 1. Edit. Benedict. k Adverfus Rufinum. Lib. 3. Col. 466. Vol. 4. Edit. Benedict.

impoftors.' There is a strange propenfity in mankind to believe things marvellous and aftonishing: and no wonder, that weak and wicked men, Jews and Samaritans, were deceived by fuch impoftors; when if it had been poffible they would have deceived the very elect,' the Chriftians themfelves.

But bebold, faith our Saviour, I have told you be fore,' ver. 25. Behold I have given you fufficient warning. Wherefore if they fhall fay unto you, Behold, he is in the defert, go not forth; behold, he is in the fecret chambers, believe it not,' ver. 26. It is furprising that our Saviour should not only foretel the appearance of: thefe impoftors, but also the manner and circumstances of their conduct. For fome he mentions as appearing in. 'the defert,' and fome in the fecret chambers;, and the event hath in all points answered to the prediction, Several of the falfe Chrifts and falfe prophets conducted their followers into the defert.' Jofephus in his 1 ́ Antiquities faith exprefsly, that many impoftors and cheats. perfuaded the people to follow them into the defert,' where they promised to fhow manifeft wonders and figns: done by the providence of God; and many being per suaded suffered the punishment of their folly; for Felix brought them back, and chastised them. Again in his history of the Jewish war speaking of the fame persons he faith, that thefe impoftors, under a pretence of divine VOL. II. . inspiration,

D

1 οἱ δε χρήστες και απατεωνες ανθρωποι τον όχλον επείθον αυτοίς εις την ερημι αν έπεσθαι. δειξειν γαρ έφασαν εναργή τέρατα και σημεία, κατά την τ8 Θεο προνοιαν γενομένα. Και πολλοι πασθέντες, της αφροσυνης τιμωρίας ὑπέσχον.. αναχθεντας γαρ αυτός Φήλιξ εκόλασιν. Impoftores vero et fallaciis pleni homines fuadebant multitudini, ut ipfos in folitudinem fequerentur. Sic enim ipfis oftenfuros dicebant manifefta prodigia et figna, quae Dei cura et providentia evenirent. Multique fidem habentes, dementiae fuae poenas pertulerunt. Eos quippe retractos Felix fupplicio affecit. Ant. Lib. 20. Cap. 7. Sect. 6. p. 893. Edit. Hudson.

m πλανός γας ανθρωποι και απατεωνες, προσχηματι θείασμα, νεωτερισμός και μεταβολας πραγματευομένοι, δαιμοναν το πλήθος ανέπειθον, και προηγου εις την ερημίαν, ὡς εκει τ8 Θε3 δείξαντος αυτος σημεία ελευθερίας. επι τοτους ὁ Φήλιξ, εδοκεν γαρ αποφασεως είναι καταβολή, τιμψας ἱππεις και πεζες δ πλιτας, πολυ πληθος διεφθειρε. Nam homines feductores et fallaciis pleni, fpecie divini afflatus, novis rebus et mutationibus ftudentes, vulgo ut infanirent perfuadebant, et proliciebant in folitudinem; ac fi illic Deus oftenfurus effet eis figna libertatis. Contra iftos (inde enim videtur oritura effe insurrectio) milites, tam pedites quam equites, mifit Felix, magnumque eorum numerum interfecit. De Bell. Jud. Lib. 2. Cap. 13. Sect 4. p. 1075.

n

infpiration, affected innovations and changes, perfuaded the multitude to grow mad, and led them forth into the defert,' as if God would there fhow them the signs of liberty. Against these Felix' for it feemed to be the foundation of a revolt, fent horfe and foot foldiers, and flew a great number of them. The Egyptian falfe prophet, mentioned by Jofephus, and in the acts of the Apostles, xxi. 38. led out into the wilderness four thoufand men that were murderers :' but Felix marching with his forces, and coming to an engagement with him, the Egyptian himself with a few others fled away, and most of those who had been with him were flain or taken prifoners. There was likewife another impoftor mentioned by Jofephus, who promifed falvation to the people, and a ceffation of all evils, if they would follow him into the defert; but Feftus fent horfe and foot against him, and deftroyed the deceiver himself, and thofe who followed him. These things happened before the deftruction of Jerufalem, and a little after P Jonathan a weaver perfuaded not a few indigent fellows to adhere to him, and led them forth into the defert,' promifing there to fhow figns and apparitions; but his followers moft were

flain, fome

were

made prisoners, and he himself was afterwards taken, and burnt alive by order of Vefpafian. As feveral of thefe impoftors thus conducted their fol

lowers

Sed. 5. σε συμβολης γενομένης, τον μεν Αιγυπτιον φυγείν μετ' ολίγων, διαφ n Antiq. Lib. 20. Cap. 7. Sect. 6. De Bell. Jud. Lib. 2. Cap. 13.

πλείσες τον συν αυτώ

Egyptius quidem ipfe cua
Lavenonvas

Facto igitur congreffu, paucis evafit; plurimique eorum qui partim trucidati, partim vivi capti funt. p. 1076. τινός άνθρωπε γόητα, σωτηρίαν αυτοίς επαγγελλομένα και παυλαν κακων, εν δυναμιν ἱππικήν τε και πεζικην εκι σας απατήθεντας από

cum eo erant

πέμπει ક

βοληθειες επεσθαι

μέχρι

τας και της ακολυθέσαντες διεφθαραν οἱ πεμπθεντες. Quin et Fefus equefe mine quodam præftigiatore, falutem ipfis pollicente et malorum ceffationem, fi fe ufque ad defertum fequi vellent; atque ipfum delites ab eo miffi. Ant. Lib. 20. Cap. 7. Sect. 10. p. 895. ceptorem, pariter ac eos qui illum comitati funt, interfecerunt mi

της ερημίας αυτή, και αυτον τε εκείνον τον απατησαν.

P De Bell. Jud. Lib. 7. Cap. TT. 82 okiyes TWY aTogay ArsTeide 00

e;

του

ερημον, σημεία και φάσματα δείξειν ὑπισ non paucis, ut ipfi fe adjun

reves. Pauperum et indigentium

gerent, perfuafit,

et in defertum eduxit, promittens fe figna ipfis et

apparitiones oftenfurum.

Sect. 1. p. 1357.

lowers into the defert,' fo did others into the fecret chambers' or places of fecurity as particularly the pfeudoprophet mentioned by Jofephus,, who declared to the people in the city, that God commanded them to go up into the temple, and there they fhould receive the figns of deliverance. A multitude of men, women, and children, went up accordingly; but instead of deliverance, the place was fet on fire by the Romans, and fix thoufand perifhed miferably in the flames, or by throwing themselves down to escape them.

Our Saviour therefore might well caution his difciples both against the former and the latter fort of these deceivers. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and fhineth even unto the weft; fo fhall alfo the coming of the fon of man be,' ver. 27. His coming will not be in this or that particular place, but like the lightning will be fudden and univerfal. The appearance of the true Christ will be as diftinguishable from that of the false Chrift, as lightning which fhineth all round the hemifphere is from a blaze of straw. What a learned Prelate obferves from Jofephus is very memorable, that "the Roman army entered into Judea on the east fide of it, and carried on their conquests weftward, as if not only the extensiveness of the ruin, but the very route, which the army would take, was intended in the comparison of the lightning coming out of the east, and shining even unto the weft." For wherefoever the carcafe is, there will the eagles be gathered together,' ver. 28. By the word carcafe, as the fame excellent Prelate juftly remarks, is meant the Jewish nation, which was morally and judicioufly dead, and whofe deftruction was pronounced in the decrees of heaven. Our Saviour, after his ufual manner, applied a proverbial expreffion with a particular meaning. For as, according to the old proD 2 verb,

S

Ο τετοις αυτοίς της απώλειας ψευδοπροφήτης τις κατέςη, κατ' εκείνην κη ρυξας την ήμεραν τοις επι της πόλεως, ὡς ὁ Θεός επί το ίερον αναβήναι κελεύει, δεξομένης τα σημεία της σωτηρίας. His caufa interitus erat preudoprepreta quidam, qui illo tempore praedicaverat populo in civitate, jubere Deum eos in templum afcendere, figna falutis accepturos," Lib. 6. Cap. 5. Sect. 2. p. 1281.

tr

r Bishop Pearce's Differtation on the deftruction of Jerufalem, inferted in Dr Jortin's Remarks on Ecclefiaftical History, Vol. i. p. 27. s Ditto, p. 22.