Page:Jerusalem's captivities lamented, or, A plain description of Jerusalem (1).pdf/19

Rh who ſearched the very ſepulchres and vaults for them, and put all they found alive to the ſword. There were upwards of two thouſand that had either laid violent hands of themſelves, or killed one another by conſent; beſides thoſe that perished by the famine. The putrid corruption of dead bodies ſent out a vapour to poiſon as many as came within the reach of it. Some were not able to endure it, and ſo went out of the way; others had their hearts ſo ſet upon booty, that they rifled the very carcaſes, and trampled upon the dead bodies as they lay ſoaking in their corruption: but avarice ſticks at nothing. They brought out ſeveral priſoners alſo that the two tyrants had laid in chains there; for they kept up their cruelty to the laſt: but God's juſtice overtook them both in the end; for John and his brethren in the vaults were now driven by the diſtreſs of an unſupportable hunger, to beg that mercy of the Romans, which they had ſo often deſpiſed: And Simon, after a long ſtruggle with an inſupportable neceſſity, delivered up himſelf. The latter being reſerved for the triumph, and the former mode priſoner for life. The Romans after this burnt the remainder of the city, and threw down the walls.

The power of God on the one hand; and his goodneſs on the other, was very remarkable on this occaſion: for the tyrants ruined