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[321]
At this time it was that every priest, and every servant of God,
brought out the holy vessels, and the ornamental garments wherein they
used to minister in sacred things. The harpers also, and the singers of
hymns, came out with their instruments of music, and fell down before the
multitude, and begged of them that they would preserve those holy ornaments
to them, and not provoke the Romans to carry off those sacred treasures.
You might also see then the high priests themselves, with dust sprinkled
in great plenty upon their heads, with bosoms deprived of any covering
but what was rent; these besought every one of the eminent men by name,
and the multitude in common, that they would not for a small offense betray
their country to those that were desirous to have it laid waste; saying,
"What benefit will it bring to the soldiers to have a salutation from
the Jews? or what amendment of your affairs will it bring you, if you do
not now go out to meet them? and that if they saluted them civilly, all
handle would be cut off from Florus to begin a war; that they should thereby
gain their country, and freedom from all further sufferings; and that,
besides, it would be a sign of great want of command of themselves, if
they should yield to a few seditious persons, while it was fitter for them
who were so great a people to force the others to act soberly."
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