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[55]
BUT now Pilate, the procurator of Judea, removed the army from Cesarea
to Jerusalem, to take their winter quarters there, in order to abolish
the Jewish laws. So he introduced Caesar's effigies, which were upon the
ensigns, and brought them into the city; whereas our law forbids us the
very making of images; on which account the former procurators were wont
to make their entry into the city with such ensigns as had not those ornaments.
Pilate was the first who brought those images to Jerusalem, and set them
up there; which was done without the knowledge of the people, because it
was done in the night time; but as soon as they knew it, they came in multitudes
to Cesarea, and interceded with Pilate many days that he would remove the
images; and when he would not grant their requests, because it would tend
to the injury of Caesar, while yet they persevered in their request, on
the sixth day he ordered his soldiers to have their weapons privately,
while he came and sat upon his judgment-seat, which seat was so prepared
in the open place of the city, that it concealed the army that lay ready
to oppress them; and when the Jews petitioned him again, he gave a signal
to the soldiers to encompass them routed, and threatened that their punishment
should be no less than immediate death, unless they would leave off disturbing
him, and go their ways home. But they threw themselves upon the ground,
and laid their necks bare, and said they would take their death very willingly,
rather than the wisdom of their laws should be transgressed; upon which
Pilate was deeply affected with their firm resolution to keep their laws
inviolable, and presently commanded the images to be carried back from
Jerusalem to Cesarea.
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