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Show DESTRUCTION IG DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM. of vast marble blocks. ‘These huge piles gave to the éity, in the view of the adjacent country, a most ma- [ne different parts of the world had seemed to ed. vie w.ta each other, to pour their most costly treas- jestick appearance. Near the highest of these towers stood the royal alace, of the most commanding elegance. Incrediblé cost had furnished its pillars, porticoes, galleries, the Mount Olivet. This fort were ble a palace than a castle. A toweradorned was bits high, and commanded each > -~< aston- | Jishing fabrick ever beheld. Its site was partly ona side. ‘The lower every __-Ssolid rock, originally steep on temple had a foundation of vast dimensions, said to its lowest base. be three hundred cubits from This foundation was composed of stones sixty feet in length; and the lower part of the superstructure was Composed of stones of solid white marble, more than sixty Four feet long ; and seven by nine feet in_ bigness. furlongs compassed the whole pile of building ; which was one hundred cubits high; with one hundred and sixty pillars, to afford both support and ornament. — In the front were spacious and lofty galleries, with cedar wainscot, resting on uniform rows of white mar- ble columns. Josephus asserts that nothing could ex- ceed the exterior part of this house of God, for exelegance. quisite workmanship and _of gold seemed to strive to out-dazzle Its solid plates the rising sun. The parts of the building not covered with gold, had, ata distance, the appearance of pillars of snow, or Thealtar and table Several doors of the sixteem and the foldings of golden doors in the chambers ;—carved works, paintings and gildings ;—vessels of gold ; scar- a full view of the temple. The temple was, in many respects, the most ; oveflaid with pure gold. and_ the of incense, eastern gate of pure Corinthian brass,—a metal in the [t would beatask to enumerate all hishest Mee: square of this fortress ; one of which was seventy cu-" é altar ‘The richest Bain breadth, overlaid also with gold. bylonian tapestry, of purple, blue, and scarlet, and of exquisite workmanship, waved within these doors. Golden vines, with leaves and clusters of grapes of gold, were suspended from the ceiling five or six feet, The temple had a huge of curious workmanship. more resem- Cee oak © bread, the sacred furniture, sinctuary were fifty-five cubits in height, built ona rock of ffty feet ta height, and of inaccessible steepness, overlaid with slabs of marble. ‘The castle of Antoaio stood in the centre of this fortress. The workmanship of this castle madeit table of shew with candiestick of pure beaten gold. de- ‘Lhe wonderful treasury of Heaven. this lower story was decorated lizghtful scenery. This was the beauty and elegance of the north side of Jerusalem. On the east side stood the temple, and the fort of Antonio, over against into ures Its gardens, groves, fountains, aque- the richest and Most of the grandeur the did ‘aternal workmanship of this magnificent dome inot fail of being fully equal to its external magnif sparwas t, elegan or Nothiag superb, costly, cence. mous for their beauty, elegance and curiosities. They ducts, and walks, presented 17 JERUSALEM. And white marble mountains. were built of white marble ; and had the appearance and apartments. OF . let, violet, and purple sacerdotal vestments; and all the incalculable piles of riches m this temple of Je- ‘The most precious stones, spices, and per-—— hovah. fumes ; every thing that nature, art, or riches could / furnish, were stored within tucse stapendous and lowed walls. hal. | ’ Here were the city and temple to be destroyed, for the infidelity, malice, hypocrisy, and persecution of the Lord of glory, (in himself, and his followers,) which characterized its rulers and people. Here a measure of unprecedented atrociousness was just filled up, which should bring down wrath to the uttermost. ‘This tremendous ruin foretold and fulfilled. upon thens our Lord - The last noted entrance into Jerusalem of Him, who was God manifest in the flesh, took place on the Monday before the scene of his sufferings. Amidst the acclamation of multitudes he was Zion, with every token of joy and 6) hailed King of © praise. Th@ air |
