These were, indeed, fearful signs and great sights from heaven; and
there is not a more credible historian than the author who relates


them, and who appeals to the testimony of those who saw and heard ~
them. But it may add some weight to his relation, that Tacitus, —
the Roman historian, also gives us a summary account of the same _
occurrences. He saith that *there happened several prodigies, —
armies were seen engaging in the heavens, arms were seen glittering,
and the temple shone with the sudden fire of the clouds, the doors
of the temple opened suddenly, and a voice greater than human was _
heard, that the gods were departing, and likewise a great motion οὗ
their departing. Dr. Jortin’s * remark is very pertinent: “ If Christ —
had not expressly foretold this, many who give little heed to por- —
tents, and who know that historians have been too credulous in that —
point, would have suspected that Josephus exaggerated, and that —
Tacitus was misinformed, but as the testimonies of Josephus and —
Tacitus confirm the predictions of Christ, so the predictions of —
Christ confirm the wonders recorded by these historians.”—But —
even allowing all that incredulity can urge—that in the great cala- _


_—
4


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mities of war, and famine, and pestilence, the people always grow —


superstitious, and are struck with religious panics ;—that they 566.
