surrounded the walls of the
city on the day of the Passover, where a great part of the Jewish
nation were then assembled, and to which others had fled for refuge,
being driven by the terror of his arms like chaff before the
whirlwind. Here they appeared! Husbands and wives, parents and
children, brothers and sisters, (one promiscuous throng) were gazing
in breathless solicitude, while consternation and dismay were depicted
in every countenance, and fearful expectation pervaded every bosom!
Death, a long lingering death, was gathering around them in all its
horrors! Old men and young, maidens, matrons and little children
poured forth their lamentations to heaven, invoking the protection of
the God of Israel. But, alas! "the things, that made for their peace
(as Jesus forewarned them) were hidden from their eyes!" Their hour
was come, and the triumphant shouts of the enemy were heard around
their stubborn walls, which (massy as they were) dropped to the ground
under the subduing power of the battering-rams of war. With these
massive engines of destruction, they laid the two first walls in ruin!
But the third and last wall it was not in the power of the enemy to
gain. The Jews fought with desperation, and by valiant exertions kept
the enemy at bay, and for a while seemed to triumph in the fond hope
of victory over the foe. The Roman army was driven to great extremity,
and even to hesitation, while many of their most valiant men fell in
action, and impending victory seemed to hang doubtful. In this moment
of suspense, they came to a determination to make no further attack
upon the city, but guard it and reduce its inhabitants to submission
by famine. All supplies were accordingly cut off, and every avenue
blocked up by the vigilant Romans. In addition to this, intestine
divisions, civil wars and pestilence raged within the walls of the
city. Having no employment in fighting the enemy, they fell to
butchering each other. These things proved their ruin, and their
national sun went down in blood. Every day thousands closed their eyes
in death through famine and pestilence; and thousands by endeavoring
to escape to the enemy and surrender themselves up as prisoners for
safety and protection, were either cut down by the Roman sword, or met
the same fate from their own countrymen. Here they appeared! All hopes
of life cut off, nothing presented itself to their view, to end their
woes, but the certain prospect of an untimely tomb!