CHAPTER XXII

FROM AVERSION TO THE CHRISTIANS, JULIAN GRANTS PERMISSION TO THE JEWS TO REBUILD THE TEMPLE AT JERUSALEM; THEIR ATTEMPT IS FRUSTRATED BY FIRE FROM HEAVEN, AND BY THE APPEARANCE OP THE SIGN OF THE CROSS ON THEIR GARMENTS

THOUGH the emperor hated and oppressed the Christians, he manifested benevolence and humanity towards the Jews. He wrote to the Jewish patriarchs and leaders, as well as to the people, requesting them to pray for him, and for the prosperity of the empire. In taking this step he was not actuated, I am convinced, by any respect for their religion: for he was aware that it is, so to speak, the mother of the Christian religion, and he knew that both religions rest upon the authority of the patriarchs and the prophets; but he thought to grieve the Christians by favouring the Jews, who are their most inveterate enemies. He also calculated upon persuading the Jews to embrace Paganism: for they were only acquainted with the mere letter of Scripture, and could not, like the Christians and a few of the wisest among their own nation, discern the hidden meaning. Events proved that this was his real motive: for he sent for some of their chiefs, and exhorted them to return to the observance of the laws of Moses and the customs of their fathers. On their replying, that they were permitted to offer up sacrifices only at the temple of Jerusalem, he commanded them to rebuild the temple, and gave them money for that purpose. The Jews entered upon the undertaking, without reflecting that, according to the prediction of the holy prophets, it could not be accomplished. They sought for the most skilful artizans, collected materials, cleared the ground, and entered so earnestly upon the task, that even the women carried heaps of earth, and sold their ornaments towards defraying the expense. The emperor, the other Pagans, and all the Jews, regarded every other undertaking as secondary in importance to this. Although the Pagans were not well-disposed towards the Jews, yet they assisted them in this enterprise, because they reckoned upon its ultimate success, and hoped by this means to falsify the prophecies of Christ. Besides this motive, the Jews themselves were impelled by the consideration, that the time had arrived for rebuilding their temple. When they had removed the ruins of the former building, and had cleared the ground for the purpose of laying the foundations of the new edifice, an earthquake occurred, and stones were thrown up from the earth, by which those who were engaged in the work were wounded, as likewise those who were merely looking on. The houses and public porticoes near the site of the temple were thrown down; many people lost their lives, and others were horribly mutilated. On the cessation of the earthquake, the workmen returned to their task, partly because such was the edict of the emperor, and partly because they were themselves interested in the undertaking. Men often, in endeavouring to gratify their own passions, seek what is injurious to them, reject what would be truly advantageous, and are deluded by the idea that nothing is really useful except what is agreeable to them. When once led astray by this error, they are no longer able to act in a manner conducive to their own interests, or to take warning by the calamities which are visited upon them. The Jews, I believe, were just in this state: for, instead of regarding this unexpected earthquake as a manifest indication that God was opposed to the re-erection of their temple, they proceeded to re-commence the work. But all parties relate, that they had scarcely returned to the undertaking, when fire burst from the foundations of the temple, and consumed several of the workmen. This fact is fearlessly stated, and believed by all; the only discrepancy in the narrative is, that some maintain that fire burst from the interior of the temple, as the workmen were striving to force an entrance; while others say that the fire proceeded direct from the bowels of the earth. In whichever way the phenomenon might have occurred, it is equally wonderful. A more tangible and still more extraordinary prodigy ensued: suddenly the sign of the cross appeared on the garments of the persons engaged in the undertaking. These crosses were disposed like stars, and appeared the work of art. Many were hence led to confess that Christ is God, and that the rebuilding of the temple was not pleasing to Him; others presented themselves in the church, were baptized, and besought Christ, with tears and supplications, to pardon their transgression. If any one does not feel disposed to believe my narrative, let him go and be convinced by those who heard the facts I have related from the eye-witnesses of them, for they are still alive. Let him inquire, also, of the Jews and Pagans who left the work in an incomplete state, or who, to speak more accurately, were not able to commence it.