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THE emperor in another attempt to molest the Christians exposed his
superstition. Being fond of sacrificing, he not only himself
delighted in the blood of victims, but considered it an indignity
offered to him, if others did not do likewise. And as he found but
few persons of this stamp, he sent for the Jews and enquired of them
why they abstained from sacrificing, since the law of Moses enjoined
it? On their replying that it was not permitted them to do this in any
other place than Jerusalem, he immediately ordered them to rebuild
Solomon's temple. Meanwhile he himself proceeded on his expedition
against the Persians. The Jews who had been long desirous of
obtaining a favorable opportunity for rearing their temple afresh in
order that they might therein offer sacrifice, applied themselves very
vigorously to the work. Moreover, they conducted themselves with
great insolence toward the Christians, and threatened to do them as
much mischief, as they had themselves suffered from the Romans. The
emperor having ordered that the expenses of this structure should be
defrayed out of the public treasury, all things were soon provided,
such as timber and stone, burnt brick, clay, lime, and all other
materials. necessary for building. On this occasion Cyril bishop of
Jerusalem, called to mind the prophecy of Daniel, which Christ also
in the holy gospels has confirmed, and predicted in the presence of
many persons, that the time had indeed come 'in which one stone should
not be left upon another in that temple,' but that the Saviour's
prophetic declaration should have its full accomplishment. Such were
the bishop's words: and on the night following, a mighty earthquake
tore up the stones of the old foundations of the temple and dispersed
them all together with the adjacent edifices. Terror consequently
possessed the Jews on account of the event; and the report of it
brought many to the spot who resided at a great distance: when
therefore a vast multitude was assembled, another prodigy took place.
Fire came down from heaven and consumed all the builders' tools: so
that the flames were seen preying upon mallets, irons to smooth and
polish stones, saws, hatchets, adzes, in short all the various
implements which the workmen had procured as necessary for the
undertaking; and the fire continued burning among these for a whole
day. The Jews indeed were in the greatest possible alarm, and
unwillingly confessed Christ, calling him God: yet they did not do
his will; but influenced by inveterate prepossessions they still clung
to Judaism. Even a third miracle which afterwards happened failed to
lead them to a belief of the truth. For the next night luminous
impressions of a cross appeared imprinted on their garments, which at
daybreak they in vain attempted to rub or wash out. They were
therefore 'blinded' as the apostle says, and cast away the good which
they had in their hands: and thus was the temple, instead of being
rebuilt, at that time wholly overthrown.
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