CHAPTER XIX. 503 4P. Q. Ilow long did this temple continue ? A. Till after the destruction of the temple at Jerusalem, which was above two hundred years ; and then the city Onion, and the temple, were both destroyed by the command of Vespasian the emperor of Rome. 50. Q. Did Jonathan go on to secure the Jews of Judea in their possessions and their religion ? A. By making leagues with the princes and states that favoured him, and by assisting sometimes one and sometimes another, as the interests and powers of princes were often changing, he defended and go- verned his own nation. 51. Q. What became of him at last ? A. By the treachery of one Tryphon, who sought the kingdom of Syria, he was seized, and shut up close prisoner in Ptolemais ; 1 Maccab. xi. and xii. And afterwards was slain with his two sons; Chap- ter xiii. 52. Q. Who succeeded Jonathan in the high-priesthood and government ? A. Simon his brother, by the request of all the people. 53. Q. What were some of the first enterprizes of Simon A. After a honourable burial of his brother at Modin, the city of his fathers, and the noble and lofty monument, and seven pyra- mids which he set up for his parents, his four brethren and. himself, he fortified the cities of Judea, macle a league with young Demetrius, the son of Demetrius, took the city of Gaza, cleansed the houses from idols, and budded himself a house there. . 54. Q. Did the garrison in the tower of Acra, near the tem- ple, continue to annoy the Jews in their worship ? A. Notwith- standing all the attempts of Judas and Jonathan, these enemies remained still till the clays of Simon, who shut them upso close- ly, that after great numbers perished with famine, the rest yield- ed up the tower to Simon : Immediately he cleansed it from its 'pollutions, and entered into it with harps and songs, and great triumph. 55. Q. What precautions did Simon take against the like annoyance for time to come? A. By consent and assistance of the people, he pulled down the tower, and reduced the mountain itself so low, that there might be no possibility of anyfuture an- noyance to the worship of the temple from that place. 56. Q. What farther success had Simon in his government? A. HeestablishedJerusalem andJudea ingreat peace andplenty he sought out the law, and made it to be obeyed ; he beautified the sanctuary, multiplied the vessels of the temple, and main- tained their religion in the divine institutionsof it. 57. Q. What peculiar honour was done him by the Jews ? A. In a general assembly of the priests and elders, and the peo- ple of the Jews, met together at Jerusalem, he was cjustituted
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