218 now gone. After having been beaten in one or two battles with Cyrus, they never recovered/courage to face the enemy in the field, but retired within the walls of Babylon. Jeremiah had foretold this cowardice of the Chaldean armies. “The mighty men of Babylon have forborne to fight, they have remained in their holds; their might has failed; they have become as women.” (ch. li. 30.) 'Thus this proud city, which had sent forth so many large and splendid armies, to subdue Jerusalem, and Tyre, and Egypt, and all the countries around, was now itself besieged. The gates of Babylon had often been thrown open to its victorious armies, returning with music and mirth, and bringing within its walls the treasures plundered from the weaker nations. But now as a sole and last protection against the attacks of a warlike enemy, they are closed, and barred and guarded. Thus і, is, as the Scriptures declare, “They that take the sword shall perish by the Sword” (Maಿ. xxvi. 52) Cyrus called a councilorhi, principal officers to consult with them how he should carry on the siege,
