inform, that Hierapolis and Colossc, as well a Laodicea, were overthrown by earthquakes. Another is noted at Rome; one at Campania; and others as tremendous are mentioned as taking place at Jerusalem in the night, just before the commencement of the last siege of.that city Of these, Josephus gives the following account: "A heavy storm burst on them, during the night; violent winds arose, with most excessive rains, with constant lightning, most tremendous thunders, and dreadful roarings of earthquakes. It seemed as if the system of the world had been confounded for the destruction of mankind. And one might well conjecture that these were signs of no common event."
The famines predicted by Christ were likewise fulfilled. The one foretold by Agabus, noted in the Acts of the Apostles, was dreadful and of long continuance. It extended through Greece and Italy; but was most severely felt at Judea, and especially at Jerusalem. The contributions noted as brought by Paul from abroad, to relieve the poor brethren there, were sent during this sore famine. Authors of that time mention two other famines in the empire, previous to the one occasioned by the siege of Jerusalem.
"Pestilences" too, the Savior, adds. Two instances of this signal judgment took place before the last Jewish war The one took place at Babylon, where many Jews resided; the other at Rome, which swept off vast multitudes. Other lighter instances of this calamity occurred,
in various parts of the empire; as both Tacitus and Suetonius record.
Our Lord also adds, "And fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven." Josephus [who can never be suspected of wishing to favor any prediction of Christ; and who probably knew not of any such prediction, when he wrote,] gives accounts of events, which strikingly answer to this premonition. Speaking of the infatuation of his countrymen, in running alter impostors, while they neglected the plainest admonitions from heaven, he gives account of the seven following events;
1 He says; "On the 8th of the month Zanthicus, [before the (east of unleavened bread,] at the ninth hour of the night, there shone round about the altar and the
