VESPASIAN EMPEROR.-VESPASIAN'S CHARACTER.-STATE OF ROME.

SERVIUS GALBA was seventy-two years of age when he was proclaimed emperor; and his uneasy reign only lasted seven months. He found the treasury exhausted by the extravagance of Nero; and the insolent guards, over-paid and spoiled by the indulgence of him whose cruel commands they had obeyed, still endeavoured to increase their wealth and their power. As a provincial governor Galba had acted wisely: but the cares of the empire seemed to overwhelm him, and he foolishly shared them with favourites still more unfit to rule than himself. These wicked ministers, under pretence of increasing the public funds, heaped up riches for themselves by the most unjust proceedings: the rich, who could pay the sums demanded of them, were suffered to escape, whatever might be their crimes, whilst the poor were generally condemned unheard. Galba, feeling the infirmities of old age, chose as his successor, Piso, a young man whose amiable character was his chief recommendation. This choice excited the jealousy and ambition of Otho, another of his favourites who could offer the covetous Prætorians the rewards that were sufficient to purchase their help. In a short speech, made at their camp, he tried to persuade them that the aged emperor was avaricious and cruel, and that he alone could meet their desires. Some of them at once raised him on their shoulders; and the rest followed sword in hand, shouting, Otho Augustus! In this tumultuous manner they proceeded to the forum, and many were trampled to death on their way. Galba, hearing the uproar, came forward with astonishing calmness, and bending his hoary head, desired that it might be struck off if it were for the good of his country. Untouched by the old man's gentle submission, one of the foremost of the guards severed his head from his shoulders, and fixing it on a lance carried it round the camp.

Otho's first act was to advance the faithful friends of the murdered emperor to the highest honours, declaring that fidelity deserved a reward: this was the more strange, as he had acted in such a treacherous manner himself; and he soon proved

78

THE EMPERORS OF MILITARY ELECTION.

that his own want of fidelity had no reward. The proud legions in Lower Germany, upon hearing of the death of Galba, elected their general, Vitellius, emperor, arguing that soldiers abroad had as much right to choose as soldiers at home. This was just the principle Vespasian wished to have acknowledged; but during all these events he made no movement, as the favourable moment had not yet arrived. The forces of Vitellius and Otho met near Cremona, in Italy; and the latter being defeated, killed himself shortly after the battle; probably in despair of success, but saying that he wished to save his country from the horrors of civil war. He had reigned only three months and five days.

Vitellius made his entry into Rome as a conqueror rather than a peaceable ruler; and the senate, afraid of his power, were obliged to consent to the appointment of the army.

In the vicious court of Tiberius, amidst the luxuries of Caprea, Vitellius first acquired those tastes, which he could now indulge without restraint. He lived wholly for himself, and far exceeded Tiberius in acts of gluttony and intemperance; but instead of feasting in private, as that emperor had done, he expected his subjects to entertain him at their own expence. He would breakfast with one, dine with another, and sup with a third, always expecting the most magnificent preparations for his reception; and it is said, he acquired a habit of vomiting, that he might be able to enjoy eating more frequently. It is calculated that the provision for his table cost seven millions of our money in the course of a few months. Vitellius had made

himself so burdensome and contemptible to the chief citizens of Rome, that a large party there was prepared to consent to the nomination of Vespasian as emperor, by the legions in the East; and many armed themselves in his behalf against the party of Vitellius. Vespasian was satisfied to leave the care of the Jewish war to his son Titus; and sending a choice body of troops to strengthen those who were on his side at Rome, he himself proceeded no farther than Alexandria. There he remained some months; and his flatterers boldly reported, amidst other things to his honour, that he had cured a cripple and a blind man by his touch.

After a short struggle, Vespasian's lieutenants took possession of the capital in his name, and Vitellius was beaten to death and thrown into the Tyber. When the new emperor landed in

VESPASIAN, EMPEROR.

:

79

Italy, the senators and citizens came out to meet him some miles from the city, with every expression of joy and to all classes his reign was a delightful respite from the tumults and calamities they had long endured. Vespasian did not attempt to reform the manners of his subjects without giving them an attractive example of moderation and moral virtue in his own person. The alteration in his rank made no difference in his outward appearance or behaviour; he preserved his former simplicity, retained his old friends, and so much delighted in showing mercy that he condemned the greatest criminals with regret. He was courteous to all, except those whom he thought · right to rebuke on account of their evil or luxurious habits; and it is related that, on one occasion, when a certain officer, richly perfumed with scented oils, came to thank him for an appointment, the emperor sternly exclaimed, it would have been better if he had smelled of garlic, and recalled the commission he had given him. Some historians have accused Vespasian of avarice; but others say that he only exercised the necessary economy, as the public treasury was very low, owing to the excessive selfindulgence of his predecessor. Heathen Rome was perhaps, morally speaking, in its best estate when Jerusalem was given up to its destructive dominion, on account of the accumulated sins of her children against the law of the Lord, and their rejection of every manifestation of His grace. While Vespasian was ruling over the peaceable empire wherein his authority was acknowledged, Titus became God's instrument in executing the long-threatened wrath upon the rebellious city of Jerusalem and its blood-stained inhabitants.

CHAP. XIV.

PRESAGES OF EVIL IN JERUSALEM.-STATE OF JERUSALEM.JOHN, ELEAZAR, AND SIMON.-COMMENCEMENT OF THE SIEGE. -FORTIFICATIONS OF JERUSALEM.

It is related (Luke xxiii. 28), that when a great company of Jewish people and of women followed the Lord Jesus on his way to Calvary, bewailing and lamenting him, he turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children."

80

PRESAGES OF EVIL IN JERUSALEM.

And truly, if there were ever cause for weeping over the deceitfulness and desperate wickedness of the human heart, it was now, when some of the bitterest effects and deadliest consequences of sin were being exhibited in Jerusalem. As there

is some variance in the interpretation of the Lord's prophecies concerning Jerusalem, I shall only refer to some of his words, which seem literally to refer to the present period; observing the simple rule before given, that, as his words can never pass away, any parts of them not yet fulfilled, will certainly have their accomplishment in due season.

The prophecy recorded (Luke xxi. 1-24), seems to refer more particularly to this period of calamity; but the most partial observer must confess that the Lord's infinite mind goes far beyond this particular season, and embraces events still before us, only ending with his own appearing. Josephus,

་་

who was most probably ignorant of the Lord's prophecy, gives some account of fearful sights and great signs from heaven,” preceding the ruin of the city. He relates that, for a whole year, a comet, having the appearance of a sword, was seen in the sky immediately over Jerusalem. During the passover a bright light shone suddenly at midnight, and the inner gate of the Temple, which was of solid brass, and so heavy that twenty men were needed to close it, suddenly flew open after it had been fastened with the strong iron bolts that let into the stone door-posts. A few days after the passover, many eye-witnesses declared that the sky, just before sunset, appeared to be filled with chariots and armies in rapid motion. On the feast of Pentecost, the priests who served by night declared that they heard a rushing noise, and a great voice saying, "Let us depart hence!" Josephus also affirms, that when the city was in peace and apparent prosperity, a peasant called Jesus, son of Ananus, cried aloud in the Temple, "A voice from the East! a voice from the West! a voice from the four winds! a voice against Jerusalem and against the Temple! a voice against the the bridegrooms and the brides! a voice against the whole people!" As he continued to repeat these words day and night through the streets and lanes of the city, he was seized and brought before the cruel Albinus, who ordered him to be scourged in his presence till his bones were seen. But he uttered no expression of pain, no cry for mercy; and, as if regardless of personal suffering, he continued to exclaim at

STATE OF JERUSALEM.

81

every stripe," Woe, woe to Jerusalem!" As he would neither tell who he was, nor whence he came, Albinus at length dismissed him, supposing he was mad. During the four years preceding the war, he continued to repeat his sad cry at intervals; but more frequently, and in a deeper tone, at the time of the festivals. He took no notice of any one: he did not curse those who struck him, nor thank those who gave him food; but only exclaimed, Woe, woe to the city and the Temple !" His last words were, " Woe, woe to myself!" He was killed by a stone from one of the Roman engines during the siege.

The grand question of peace or war had divided every city and almost every family in Judea, and gave rise to such fierce domestic quarrels, that the peaceful had no increased distressto fear from the success of the Romans. The bands of desperate robbers, who had spread misery through the country, committing murder, burning and plundering, under pretence of punishing the traitors who would not join in the struggle for freedom, these ruffians had been received into Jerusalem by the war party, who gladly welcomed any who were ready to sacrifice their lives in the defence of the city. These men proved the most dreadful scourges, and John of Gischala was a fit leader for such a company. We shall class them under the general name of Zealots, or those whose false zeal for their religion led them to the most outrageous acts of violence. Robbery, house-breaking, and assassination became daily and nightly evils in Jerusalem; and some of the highest rank were put to death, under pretence that they were about to betray the city to the Romans. At length the Zealots took upon them the appointment of the members of the Sanhedrin, and declared that the high-priest should be chosen by lot, and not on account of his descent from Aaron. But as their violent doings met with great resistance from the opposite party, the Zealots took refuge in the Temple, and used it as a garrison, from whence they came out to fight. John of Gischala proposed to call in the aid of the Idumeans, well known for their love of war; and these fierce soldiers, headed by Simon, son of Cathla, quickly obeyed his invitation, and appeared before the gates of Jerusalem. But Ananus, the chief priest, the leader of the peace party, refused to let them enter: and, notwithstanding a furious tempest of thunder and lightning, which seemed to shake the earth, they were obliged to encamp outside the walls.