The Apostolical History

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 entirely rendered in and through Jesus Christ), finished my Apostolic 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 that preceded the Warr that brought on this fatal Desolation; and then show the Occasion of it.

The Prodigies related by Josephus were these: Not long before the Warr, on the day of Unleavened 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 locked up, and bar'd with bars 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 battle-array passing along in the Clouds, and begitting 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 show 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, outrageously abused his Authority, and by all manner of Rapines and Insolencies vexed and oppressed the Jews; insomuch, that by a public Cryer he gave leave to Thieves and High way-men to rob and spoil throughout the whole Country, 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 Countries. Others of them (being of themselves forward enough to revolt) were yet greatly provoked thereunto by the daily oppressions of Florus, who endeavored to drive them to it, that his great and intolerable Oppressions and Villanies might be lessened by their Revolt. Another thing also that much disposed them thereunto, was this: There was a Prophecy passed among them [That there should come from Judea those that should be Masters of all]. The event afterwards shown, that this was a Prediction only of the Roman Emperor. But the Jews applying it to themselves, 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, Tiberias, Tarichea, Julias beyond Jordan, with the neighbouring-Villages, and Chaleis ), in a long Oration dehorts the Jews from war, 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 Romans they found there. At Jerusalem also, Eleazar the son of Ananias the High Priest, and Commander of the Soldiers of the Temple (a bold and factious young man) persuaded the Priests that they should not offer anymore the Sacrifices that were wont to be offered for Caesar, and the welfare of the Romans. Which rash act, the Governors of the City (that were peaceable men) plainly saw tended to open rebellion. Whereupon, not being able to persuade the Seditious from this course, they sent Messengers to Florus at Cesarea, and to King Agrippa; desiring them; that they would presently send Forces and suppress the Rebellion in the beginning. Florus, who desired 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 public Houses, and then besieged the Castle Antonia, and after two days took it, and killed 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 Castles of Hippico, Phasaelus, and Mariamne; where, being besieged, and yielding upon composition, and delivering their arms, yet contrary to all faith they were put to death.

On the day following , at Caesaria, most of the Jews that dwelt there, were mass • creed at the instigation of Florus, by the Roman Soldiers, to the number of Twenty thousand; at which the Jews through all the Country were so enraged, that they wasted the Villages of the Syrians and Neighbor-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 Metropolis 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, sat 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 easily taken it if he had valiantly continued the assault, the soberer sort of the people favoring 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 Antipatris , 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, Governors 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 subtlety and fraud of John the Son of a certain Levite (of whom more afterward), and by the envy of some of the Governors of Jerusalem, there were endeavors used to turn him out of his Government. But Joseph brake the neck of all these Endeavors and Counsels, and by his Prudence and Patience defeated them, and forced John to flee to Jerusalem. At Jerusalem, Ananias the Governor 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 endeavors to reconcile those they called Zealots (because they boasted of their zeal for the Law of God, and the Customs of their Country) but in vain; he endeavors to apprehend Simon Son of Giora (who exercised Thievery, and affected Tyranny) by sending Soldiers against him. But He with his Party fled to the Thieves that k • pt Massada, from whence they infested all the Countries 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 Tragedies and the Olympic Sports, declaring unto him the troubled state of Judea. Nero being much moved with this News, sends Vespasian thither. Vespasian having received this Command 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-degree among the Romans, incensed his Country-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 accepted of it. Vesp • sian in the mean while invades Galilee, and burns and wastes the City of the Gadarenes; 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 Governor thereof. He also takes Joseph, who • y hid in a Cave, gives him his life, but keeps him Prisoner . Jotapata being thus destroyed, Vepasian retires with his Army to Cesarea, and th • re places Two Legions to refresh themselves after the siege; a Third he sends, for the same reason, to Scythopolis. At Cesarea he is feasted by King Agrippa for twenty days together: There he prepares for the Sieges of Tiberias and Taricha. They of Tiberias immediately yield, 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 inclined 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 war, others desirous to live in peace under the protection of the Romans. Whereupon Troops of Thieves gathered together, who plundered them that were desirous of peace; and being loaded with their Plunder, they were received into Jerusalem, and there filled 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; falsely accusing them, That they intended to deliver up t •• City to the Romans. Moreover they kept all the Passes, and seized those that endeavored to get out of the City; and, killing them, let them lie 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 unanimous 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 cries of some of them (who fled to him) to take some course to preserve their Country from ruin. Hereupon he prepares to go against Jerusalem. And that he might leave no • hing behind him that might trouble •• 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 possessed himself of the Country beyond the River, even to the Lake Asphaltis, except the Castle of Macherun; and so having appointed Garrisons for the several Towns, and Winter-quarters for his Soldiers, he comes to Cesarea again, and there winters.

Vespasian hears now of the stirs raised in Gaul 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 thorough all Judea and Idumea, and miserably wastes it. Then leads them thorough Samaria to Jericho, from whence the Inhabitants fly into the Mountain-Country opposite to Jerusalem; 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 public 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 killed 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 Army 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 Father at Cesarea, they being in suspense (the Empire now tottering) what to do, thinking it not convenient to invade a strange Country, 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 Country 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 increasing his Forces, he came at last to that power, that he conquered all Idumea, and wasted Judea, and at length came before 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 killed 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 stirs, hearing of Otho 's death, began to think of freeing his Country from the Tyranny of Vitellius. Many of his Commanders earnestly persuaded him to take the Government upon him. Tiberius Alexander the Governor of Egypt, was the first that swore the Legions to him on the Calends 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 Cesarea; 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 Cremona 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 thorough 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 himself saileth into Italy.

The City of Jerusalem was at this time divided into a threefold 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 Eleazar, who was once Captain and Commander of the Zealots (envying John, who by his boldness and subtlety 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 Eleazar and Simon. During these stirs, 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 afterwards, when besieged by the Romans.

Titus, in prosecution of his Father's Orders, comes from Alexandria to Cesarea, where gathering his Forces together (which were Four Legions, with the Aids and Auxiliaries of the Neighbouring-Kings), marches towards Jerusalem accompanied with Tiberius Alexander (who was in principal favor 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 sat 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 Unleavened-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 opportunity, 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 fighting-men, besides 5000 Idumeans. And notwithstanding the Enemy 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 entering, and the Jews retiring 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 entered; 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 persuade them to yield; but he is entertained only with scoffs and reproaches. Many of the people thinking to escape out of the City, John and Simon stop up all passages. Yet the Famine increasing, many made shift to get out, who being taken by Titus, he caused them to be crucified 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 Romans, but was repel'd and forced into the City again. Titus now calling a Council of Warr, 'twas therein resolved to compass the whole City with a Trench, which with incredible diligence and celerity was finished in three day • ; they built also thirteen Forts to hinder the flight of the Besieged, and to hinder 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 public 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 killed 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 Captains, 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 profane uses, the holy things of the Temple, as Vessels of Gold, and Silver, and the Money of the Temple; nay, he was compel'd to distribute to his Soldiers the very Oil and Wine ordained 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 Engines 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 entered 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 yield, 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, seized upon the North and West Porches of the outward Range of the Temple; part of which Porches (especially that which was joined 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 amazed, that they endeavor'd not to quench it. Titus had an intention to have saved the Temple; but on the tenth of August a certain Soldier without any command (nay, against the command of his General), moved as by instinct from above, cast a flaming fire-brand into the Chambers and Buildings of the North-side of the Temple, which immediately taking fire, burnt the Temple also which joined to them, notwithstanding 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 Zealots and Seditious fled into the Upper City called Zion. They now desire a parley with the General himself, who checked them for their obstinacy, but promised them life if they would yield to him. They being unwilling to commit themselves to his Mercy, required to depart the City with their wives and children, and to go into the Wilderness. Titus being enraged at these Proposals, threatens them with utter 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 September, 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 commands both the City and Temple to be utterly razed to the foundation, 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 Prophesy 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 stateliness 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 committed by them, that Josephus says, If the Romans had delayed to come against them, he thought the City would either have been swallowed up of the earth, or have perished by Thunder-bolts and Lightning from Heaven, and so have suffered like Sodom; the Inhabitants 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 Consuls, 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 Habitation, 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 people; A people once highest in his favor, now deepest in his displeasure: 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 Nations, and their great obduration.

Titus having thus ended the Warr, returns to Cesarea, 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 Emperor; yet neither of them had the Title of Judaicus, although many other Honors, 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 Castle 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 persuasion of Eleazar, set fire on the Castle, and the Furniture 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 solicited 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 Governor 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 neglected 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 Cyrene, drew 2000 Jews to follow him into the Wilderness, promising to show them signs and wonders; but by the chiefest of the Jews the matter being discovered to Catullus, Governor 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, because 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 Alexandria, as if they had held correspondence with him; yea, he affirmed, 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 deservedly 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 imagined 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 Union of all Christians.