Page:Jerusalem's captivities lamented, or, A plain description of Jerusalem (2).pdf/4

 And Nebuchadnezzar laid this glorious city, with the temple, palace, walls, and towers even with the ground, 2 Kings xix. After eighteen months' siege, in the eleventh year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, the princes of Babylon surprised, and took this brave city; presently after Nebuzar-adan, general of the Babylonian army, commanded by Nebuchadnezzar, spoiled the temple, carrying away the vessels of gold and silver, and the great laver given by king Solomon, and burnt the temple the first day of the next month, which was twenty-one days after the surprisal, 470 years, six months and ten days after the foundation; 903 years, six months and ten days after the departure of the people out of Egypt; 1760 years, six months after the flood; 3516 years, six months and ten days after the creation. Thus, and then was the city of Jerusalem taken, and for seventy years the Jews remained in this captivity.

It was built again by Nehemiah, 2 Chron. i. ii. iii. iv. The temple and city were spoiled again by Borgoses, lieutenant to Artaxerxes, then by Ptolmeus the first, then by Antiochus Epiphanes, and again by Appollonius' deputy; after which it was taken by Pompey, and robbed by Crasius, in his Parthian expedition. Yet all the losses the temple and city sustained, were repaired by Herod the Great, who enlarged the city, new-built the temple, and left it both stately and glorious: it was compassed with three strong walls, the third wall had