without limitation or exception, whatever in Scripture is graciously expressed in favor of the people of God; while whatever is said of the wicked and ungodly, and of all the terrors and judgments denounced against them, they bestow with a liberal hand upon their neighbors.  After their prayers were over, the Saracens began their assault.  The Ierosolymites never flinched, but sent them showers of arrows from the walls, and maintained the fight with undaunted courage till the evening.  Thus they continued fighting ten days, and on the eleventh Abu Obeidah came up with the remainder of the army.  He had not been there long before he sent the besieged the following letter: 

     “In the name of the most merciful God.

“From Abu Obeidah Ebn Aljerahh, to the chief commanders of the people of AElia and the inhabitants thereof, health and happiness to everyone that follows the right way and believes in God and the apostle.  We require of you to testify that there is but one God, and Mahomet is his apostle, and that there shall be a day of judgment, when God shall raise the dead out of their sepulchres; and when you have borne witness to this, it is unlawful for us either to shed your blood or meddle with your sustenance or children.  If you refuse this, consent to pay tribute and be under us forthwith; otherwise I shall bring men against you who love death better than you do the drinking of wine, or eating hogs’ flesh:  nor will I ever stir from you, if it please God, till I have destroyed those that fight for you and made slaves of your children.”

The eating swine’s flesh and drinking wine are both forbidden in the Koran, which occasioned that reflection of Abu Obeidah upon the practice of the Christians.  The besieged, not a whit daunted, held out four whole months entire, during all which time not one day passed without fighting; and it being winter time, the Saracens suffered a great deal of hardships through the extremity of the weather.  At last, when the besieged had well considered the obstinacy of the Saracens; who, they had good reason to believe, would never raise the siege till they had taken the city, whatever time it took up or whatever pains it might cost them, Sophronius the patriarch went to the wall, and by an interpreter discoursed with Abu Obeidah, telling him that Jerusalem was the holy city, and whoever came into the Holy Land with any hostile intent would render himself obnoxious to the divine displeasure.  To which Abu Obeidah answered:  “We know that it is a noble city, and that our prophet Mahomet went from it in one night to heaven, and approached within two bows’ shot of his Lord, or nearer; and that it is the mine of the prophets, and their sepulchres are in it.  But we are more worthy to have possession of it than you are; neither will we leave besieging it till God delivers it up to us, as he hath done other places before it.”  At last the patriarch consented that the city should be surrendered upon condition