standing far beyond his years. This visit may therefore be regarded as the first signal coming to his temple, foretold by the prophets Malachi and Haggai*. The desire of all nations was now come, to fill the latter house, the temple erected after the Babylonish captivity, with glory surpassing that of the temple of Solomon. This coming of Christ coincided with the departure of the sceptre and the lawgiver in the deposition of Archelaus; and thus the prophecy of Jacob began to be fulfilledt. The correspondence between the prediction and the event is so remarkable, that it must strike even a superficial observer." "It is striking, indeed, mamma; but why do you say that the prophecy tegan to be fulfilled?" "Because, though Judæa was in that year deprived of the sceptre, and reduced * Malachi, iii. 1. Haggai, ii. 7, 9. to the condition of a Roman province, the Jews still observed many of their ancient customs, and retained their sanhedrim or national council, and their high priest. But even this faint shadow of authority was of short duration: about sixty-two years afterwards, they were suddenly overwhelmed by a signal destruction, their long venerated institutions were utterly abolished, and have never since been revived*." "What was it that brought this heavy misfortune upon them?" "We have every reason to believe that it was the punishment of their obstinate rejection of the Messiah. Our Lord himself predicted the dreadful calamity, and described the circumstances attending its near approach with such exactness, that his disciples were enabled, by observing his directions, to escape the miseries which overwhelmed their countrymen." *Prideaux, ib. p. 704, 708. "I am sure that prophecy must be very interesting. Will you give me some account of it, and of the manner in which it was fulfilled?” "Some other time, perhaps; but now we have talked long enough. Put away your books for to-night.” 164 CHAPTER V. HISTORICAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE PROPHECY OF OUR LORD RESPECTING JERUSALEM. Variation in the accounts of the Evangelists-Magnificence of the Temple-Anxiety of Titus to save it-False Christs-Wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes Testimony of JosephusSigns from Heaven-Testimony of Josephus and of Tacitus-Publication of the Gospel-Testimony of Irenæus and of Clement-Monumental inscription-Christians of Malabar-Cranganore -Church of St. Thomas-Tradition of the Dogrib Indians-Rapid progress of ChristianityAbomination of desolation-Providential delay of the siege-Mode of building in the East-Severity of the winters in Judæa-Sufferings of the troops of Cœur de Lion and Saladin-Caution of Josephus, sketch of his life-Letter of AgrippaInfatuation of the besieged--Heathen opinions respecting the Deity-Language of prophecy frequently borrowed from the ancient hieroglyphics -The figures employed should not divert our attention from the instruction conveyed-The word Angel explained-Improbability of the Defercircumstances predicted by our Lord ence paid to the Jews-Origin of their disaffection to the Romans - Miseries of the siegeStratagem of Simon-Combats of gladiatorsDeath of Telemachus-Meliorating influence of Christianity-Corruption of the Church predicted by St. Paul-Triumph of Titus-Death of Simon -Fate of the prisoners-Preservation of the Jews compared with the disappearance of other nations -St. Paul's comparison of the Church to an olivetree-Duties of Christians towards Jews. THE next morning, after breakfast, Mrs. Beaufoy took down a large square book, and opening it, began to turn over the leaves. She soon found the place she wanted, and laying the book before Harry, said: "This is called a 'Harmony of the Gospels:' it is composed with the intention of showing the agreement of the sacred historians among themselves. shall not be at leisure for some time, and you may employ the interval in reading I |