A paraphrase and annotations upon all the books of the New Testament briefly explaining all the difficult places thereof / by H. Hammond.

CHAP. XXIV.

AND Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and his disciples came to him for to shew him the [buildings of the Temple.]

[Paraphrase] 1. the magnificent stru∣ctures which Herod had built there.

2. And Jesus said unto them, [See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, there shall not be left here [note a] one stone upon another which shall not be* 1.1 thrown down.]

[Paraphrase] 2. Of all this stately fa∣brick of the Temple, which ye see, there shall within a while remain no one part undemolished, but all plow'd up from the very foundation.

3. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him private∣ly, saying, Tell us, [when shall these things be, and what shall be the sign of thy [note b] co∣ming, and of the* 1.2 [note c] end of the world?]

[Paraphrase] 3. When this destruction of City, and Nation, and Temple (the two former threatned under the phrase of [all these things coming to passe] c. 23. 36. the latter, of not one stone upon another of the buildings of the Temple v. 2.) shall fall out, and what signes shall there be beforehand of this thy coming in judgment, and of the destruction of the Jewish state?

4. And Jesus answered and said] unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

[Paraphrase] 4. To this double questi∣on, (concerning the time, and the signes of this approaching destruction) and first to the last part of it, what forerunners there should be of this destruction upon the Jews, Jesus gave answer, thus, by saying

5. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many.]

[Paraphrase] 5. One sign or forerun∣ner is this, There shall arise among you many false Christs, Jewes taking upon them to be the Messias expected, and accordingly calling the people to come af∣ter them, as Assertors and Vindicators of the liberties of the Jewes, (see note d.) and each of them shall have many followers as∣sociating themselves to them.

6. And ye shall hear of warres and rumors of warres, see that ye be not troubled; for all these things must come to passe, but the [note d] end is not yet.]

[Paraphrase] 6. And a second signe is great rumors, and discourses of warres, which will be apt to fright and discourage you, but these will be Panick terrors, precursory only to that great and sad ruine that shall follow, but not yet.

7. For [note e] nation shall rise against nation, and kingdome against kingdome, and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places.]

[Paraphrase] 7. For there shall be a third change yet farther pre∣paratory to it, great broyles, and civil warres, and commotions among your selves (see v. 9. and note on Lu. 21. d.) famines and pestilences &c. thorough all Judaea.

8. All these are the beginning of* 1.3 sorrows.]

[Paraphrase] 8. These are the signes of the approach of those sad pangs, (which shall bring forth deliverance to my disciples, that adhere fast to me, but utter destruction to the obdurate Jewes) yet only of the approach, for there are other forerunners still behind.

9. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you; and ye shall be hated of all nations] for my names sake.

[Paraphrase] 9. For first it shall fall heavy on you Disciples; the orthodox Christians shall be every where delivered up by the unbelieving Jews to imprisonment and death it self, and be hated, and persecuted by them in all quarters of Judea, and whereever else they are dispersed (see note e.)

10. And then many shall be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.]

[Paraphrase] 10. And then many Chri∣stians shall by their sufferings be discouraged from following me any longer, and to secure themselves shall betray other their fellow Christians, and deal maliti∣ously against them.

11. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.]

[Paraphrase] 11. And this shall be an opportunity for another sort of false teachers to arise (see note d. and 2 Thess. 2. 3. and 1 Joh. 2. note a.) the Gnosticks, followers of Simon Magus, who by two allectives first promise of immunity from the present persecutions, then by allowing carnal liberties, shall corrupt and inveagle many Christian professors.

12. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.]

[Paraphrase] 12. And by reason of the extreme sharpnesse of the persecutions, great multitudes shall fall off from Christianity to that sect of the Gnosticks, who professe not to have so much love or zeal to Christ as to acknowledge or confesse him in time of persecution. See note on Luke 2. 6.

13. But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.]

[Paraphrase] 13. But the event shall prove this prudential compliance of theirs, and denying of their persecuted profession to be the greatest folly in the world, this very designe of avoiding dangers shall ingulf them into them, and (as for salvation hereafter, so) for security, sure the surest way to at∣tain to both, is the constant adhering to Christ without wavering, (see note on c. 10. h. & v. 39.)

14. And this Gospel of the kingdome shall be preached in all the world, for a witnesse unto all nations, and then shall the end come.]

[Paraphrase] 14. And after this there shall be but one prognostick more, viz. that the disciples shall depart and preach the Gospel to them that are more likely to receive it, After the Jewes re∣jecting the Gospel, it shall be removed from them, and preach'd to the Gentiles, and then speedily shall this destruction come, See 2 Thess. 2. 3.

15. When yee therefore shall see the [note f] abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (who so readeth, let him under∣stand).]

[Paraphrase] 15. And therefore to pro∣ceed from the signes to the thing it self, from the fore∣runners, to this actual sad coming of mine in vengeance upon the crucifiers, observe what I now say unto you; As soon as ever ye see the Roman army, which will make such an horrid vastation, that you may resolve it the ultimate completion of that pro∣phecy of Daniel, (which belonged primarily unto Antiochus, but secondarily also to these Romans) when, I say, ye shall see this army set down in a siege, and begirting the holy city (when you read that place in Daniel, remember what I now say, and re∣member how pertinent it is to this purpose, though spoken also of another.)

16. Then let them which be in Judea [note g] fly to the mountains.

17. Let him which is on the [note h] house top, not come down to take any thing out of his house.

18. Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his cloathes.

19. And woe unto them which are with childe, and to them that give suck in those dayes.

[Paraphrase] 16, 17, 18, 19, Then is the season for every one that is in any part of the region of Judea to get out of it (as ha∣stily as Lot was by the An∣gel warned to get out of So∣dome, Gen. 19. 17.) and to fly to the mountainous parts beyond Judea, or else he must expect to be destroyed in it. For this will be a very suddain venge∣ance, such as on Sodome, and woful to them that are not in condition to fly speedily out of it.

20. But pray yee that your flight be not in the winter, nor on the* 1.4 Sabbath day.

[Paraphrase] 20. This will be a sad con∣dition indeed, if it chance to fall out in the time of winter, when long and hasty journeys are most miserable; or if on a Sabbatick year, a time of the great∣est scarcity (for though there was a promise in the law, on their obedience, that the Rest of the Seventh year should bring no scarcity upon them, but that the year before should be blest with a double plenty, yet now that their disobediences had ripened them for their utter raine, the continuance of this miraculous mercy was not to be expected) for in such a year 'tis to be expected, that those, by whom ye passe, will have no more then they use for their own necessities, nothing to spare for you (at least to provide for such multitudes flying all at once (who yet must not stay to carry any thing with you, v. 17. And yet these difficulties, whatsoever they are, or can be, you must venture on, rather then stay in Jerusalem, o•• thereabouts.

21. For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not from the beginning of the world to this time, no nor ever shall be.]

[Paraphrase] 21. For on them that are left in Jerusalem shall fall a more miserable siege, and other consequent pressures, then ever was or shall be heard, or read of in the world.

22. And except those dayes should be shortned,† 1.5 there should [note i] no flesh be sa∣ved: but for the elects sake those dayes shall be shortned.]

[Paraphrase] 22. Such as if it should continue long, it would de∣stroy every Jew that is in the land, and in all other places also. But that the prophecies might be fulfilled, which foretold that a remnant should survive this destruction, the time of this heavy distresse shall not be long, but the City being besieged, and taken, the armies of the Romans shall be gone, and the banish'd Jew-Christians, those that fled from the siege, v. 16. return quietly to their home again.

23. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is* 1.6 Christ, or there, beleive it not.

[Paraphrase] 23. Then in the time of that distresse and flight, if any shall perswade you, that here is he that shall deliver you (that is, the Messias, that shall free you from this distresse) if any shall put you in any hope of any deliverer, see that you do not heed, or follow after any such.

24. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signes, and wonders, insomuch that (if it were possible) they shall deceive the very elect.]

[Paraphrase] 24. For at this third sea∣son a third sort of false Christs shall arise (see note d.) assu∣ming to be sent by God to deliver you, and false prophets there shall be to perswade you to betake your selves to these false Christs, and these betwixt them shall pretend working of miracles, and giving you signes to draw you after them, and (coming in a nick of time so advantageous for that turn, when your danger appears to you so great and formidable, and so promise of delive∣rance so welcome) they will be likely to draw many after them, even the most sincere persevering Christians, if it were possible for any deceit to work upon them.

25. Behold, I have told you before.]

[Paraphrase] 25. Therefore let this premonition of mine forearme and secure you against this danger.

26. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert, goe not forth; Behold, he is in the* 1.7 [note l] secret chambers, beleive it not.]

[Paraphrase] 26. When therefore the news shall come that there is in the wildernesse an eminent person, which will fight your battels, deliver you from the Roman yoak, such was Simon, who had gathered an army of fourty thousand, and was in the desart country of Judaea, be sure you goe not forth after him, give no ea•• to such rumours; Or if they shall tell you, that there is in such a frontier town, or place of defence, or in such a strong hold within the city of Jerusalem (for there John with his Zelots fortified himself) this deliverer, or Messias, or leader for you; depend not on any such reliefe, nor forslow your flight v. 17. upon confidence that he shall doe any thing for you.

27. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the son of man be.]

[Paraphrase] 27. All such deceits may prove ruinous to you, for this judgment and vengeance upon the Jews shall come so, as that it cannot be avoided, but it shall at the same time fall upon several parts of the land, or in a moment, like lightning, fly from one corner to another, this day a great slaughter of Jews in this place, to morrow in another a great way off.

28. For wheresoever the carcasse is, there will the [note m] eagles be gathered to∣gether.]

[Paraphrase] 28. And there is no pre∣venting of it by getting into any place of appearing safety, for wheresoever the Jews are, there will the Roman armies (whose ensign is the eagle, and who will have a sagacity to finde out Jews, as the eagle Job 39. 30. hath to smell out carcasses) finde them out, and slaughter them.

29. Immediately after the tribulation of those dayes the Sun shall be darkned, and the Moon shall not give her light, and the Stars shall fall from heaven, and [note n] the powers of heaven shall be shaken.]

[Paraphrase] 29. This distresse shall make short work with this na∣tion, For immediately upon this which I have now foretold you, the Temple, the city of Jerusalem, and the rest of the cities of Iudea, and that whole people shall be shrewdly shaken, all the whole government, Civil and Ecclesiastical, shall be destroyed.

30. And then shall appear the [note o] sign of the son of man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the† 1.8 earth mourn, and they shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.]

[Paraphrase] 30. And this shall appear to be a signall punishment upon the Jews, and they shall with sorrow (though too late) take notice of it, as a notable act of revenge of the crucified Christ upon those that were thus guilty of his death (see Praemon. to the Revelation.)

31. And he shall send his Angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.* 1.9 ]

[Paraphrase] 31. And he shall, as with an herald, and a loud sounding trumpet, gather together all the persevering beleivers, that remnant, whom he purposed to preserve from this destruction, wheresoever they are in any part of Ju∣dea, see Rev. 7. 12. and rescue them from this common calamity, see v. 40, 41. and Rev. ••. 3, 4, &c.

32. Now learn a parable of the fig-tree: when her branch† 1.10 is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh.]

[Paraphrase] 32. Now as by the sight of a figtree, the softnesse of the branch, and budding out of leaves, ye know and discern, that the winter is now past, and the summer is nigh ap∣proaching.

33. So likewise ye, [when ye see all these things, know that* 1.11 it is neer, even at the doors.]

[Paraphrase] 33. So in like manner re∣solve ye, that these are most certain and infallible signes, by which when you see them, you may conclude that this coming of the son of man for the destructi∣on of the Jews, and your rescue and deliverance is neer at hand.

34. Verily I say unto you, [This generation shall not passe, till all these things be fulfilled.]

[Paraphrase] 34. Of both which I now assure you, that in the age of some that are now alive, shall all that hath been said in this chapter, be certainly fulfilled (see Note on c. 23. 1. and Luke 18. 7. c.)

35. Heaven and earth shall passe away, but my words shall not passe away.]

[Paraphrase] 35. What I say is im∣mutably firm and sure, the whole world shall be destroyed sooner then one word that I have now delivered shall prove o∣therwise.

36. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my father only.]

[Paraphrase] 36. But of the point of time when this judgment shall come (see Note on Heb. 10. a. and 2 Pet. 3. 10.) none but God the father knows that (see Note on Mar. 13. b.) and that must oblige you to vigilancy, and may sustain you in your tryals, (when you begin to faint by reason of persecutions from the Jews, v. 12. which this is to set a period to) by remembring that how farre off soever your deliverance seems to be, it may and will come in a moment unexpectedly.

37. But as the dayes of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the son of man be.]

[Paraphrase] 37. But this judgment on the Jews shall be like that on the old world, in respect of the unexpectednesse of it. See Lu. 17. 20.

38. For as in the dayes that were before the flood they were eating and drink∣ing, marrying and giving in marriage, untill the day that Noe entred into the arke,

39. And knew not untill the flood came and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the son of man be.]

[Paraphrase] 38, 39. For as in the age before the deluge, the judge∣ment had been preached six∣score yeares together, and at last Noah by building of an arke did visibly forewarn them of the flood approaching, yet the people went on secure, and unmoved in their course, knew not so much as of his imbark∣ing, till the very minute that the flood surprized them, and destroyed every person but Noahs family, that made use of the means prescribed them by God, so shall it be in this approaching destruction on this nation.

40. Then shall two be in the field, the one shall be* 1.12 taken, and the other left.

41. Two women shall be grinding in a mill, the one shall be taken, and the o∣ther left.]

[Paraphrase] 40, 41. Then shall there be many acts of Gods provi∣dence discerned in rescuing one from that calamity, wherein another is destroyed, especially that of departing out of Judaea v. 16. which the beleivers generally did at Gallus's raising the siege, (see Note g.) the rest staying behind, and so being destroyed; Two persons in the same field together shall be thus discriminated in their fate, two women grinding together, or turning of a hand-mill, one of them shall stay, and be destroyed, and the other that was in the same place, and danger with her, shall as by the Angel that hurried Lot out of Sodome, or otherwise, by some invisible disposition of that providence, which waits on his faithfull servants, be rescued from that de∣struction v. 31.

42. Watch therefore, for you know not what hour your Lord doth come.]

[Paraphrase] 42. This judgment then being so neer, and yet so uncertain when the time will be, it will become every one to be vigilant every minute, that he may be of the number of those, to whom those strange deliverances are promised, that is, a faithful, constant, obedient servant of Christs, not tempted from his service by any terrors, see v. 13.

43. But* 1.13 know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.]

[Paraphrase] 43. For certainly any man that were thus forewar∣ned of a thief, that would break into his house at such a time, is mad, if he doe not provide a guard to secure it against that time.

44. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an houre as you think not, the son of man cometh.]

[Paraphrase] 44. And then by the same reason, when the time is so uncertain, and the being ready at that time so necessary, you are obliged to be alway on your guard, expecting every houre.

45. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his houshold, to give them meat in due season?]

[Paraphrase] 45. Whosoever of you ther•• shall be intrusted by God in any office of trust or stewardship, especially in that of getting beleivers to Christ, and shall discharge that trust faithfully and discreetly, doe that which is his duty in times of triall, and persecution, v. 11, 12.

46. Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh, shall find so doing.]

[Paraphrase] 46. Thrice happy shall be bee if, when his master comes to visit, he continue to be thus imploy'd, and so be found about the duties of his trust, constant and persevering, v. 13.

47. Verily I say unto you [that he shall make him ruler of all his goods.]

[Paraphrase] 47. His Lord shall en∣large his trust, and make him steward of all, and not only of his houshould, either preserve him to be a governour in his Church, after these sad times are over, or otherwise reward him as he seeth best.

48. But and [if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming,]

[Paraphrase] 48. If that servant shall prove dishonest and say or think, that Christ means not to come and visit, as he said he would, 2 Pet. 3. 4.

49. And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken.]

[Paraphrase] 49. And thereupn joyne in the persecuting of his bre∣thren (as the Gnosticks did with the Jewes against the Christians,) and indulge himselfe presumptuously to licentious living, see 2 Pet. 3. 3. Jude 18.

50. The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an houre that he is not aware of.]

[Paraphrase] 50. The time of visitation shall come on him, when 'tis least looked for, when he is in the worst posture to be surprized.

51. And shall [note p] cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypo∣crites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.]

[Paraphrase] 51. And shall deale with him as a false debtor, or de∣ceitfull steward, hew him asunder, and assigne him the same lot, which befalls the unbeleiving Jewes, Lu. 12. 46. bring the same destruction on the Gnostick Christians, and the Jewes together, and that shall be an irreversible, and a most miserable destruction.

Annotations on Chap. XXIV.

[ a] * 1.14 V. 2. One stone upon another] The full com∣pletion of this Prophecy of not one stone left on another, is very remarkable in story, which tells us that Turnus Rufus did with a ploughshare tear up the foundations of the Temple, and so not leave any part of it under ground undissolved, not one stone upon another. see Scaligers Canon. Isagog. p. 304.

[ b] * 1.15 V. 3. Coming] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the presence, or the coming of Christ is one of the phrases that is noted in this book to signifie the destruction of the Jewes. See Note on c. 16. o. A threefold coming of Christ there is, 1. in the flesh to be borne among us, 2^ly, At the day of doome to judge the world, 1 Cor. 15. 23. and in many other places; And beside these 3^ly, a middle com∣ing, partly in vengeance, and partly for the delive∣rance of his servants; in vengeance, visible, and obser∣vable on his enemies and crucifiers, (and first on the people of the Jewes, those of them that remain impeni∣tent unbeleivers) and in mercy to the relief of the per∣secuted Christians. So 'tis four times in this Chap. v. 27, 37, 39. and here. So 2 Thess. 2. 1. and 8. when the coming of Christ is said to destroy that wicked one, which it seems should then in a short time be revealed, which therefore as it agrees with the predictions here of the many Antichrists before this destruction, so it cannot be applicable to that other coming at the end of the world. So Ja. 5. 7, 8. where the designe being to esta∣blish the scatter'd Jew-Christians, and to give them patience in their present pressures, the only argument is, because the coming of the Lord draws nigh, which being foretold as the season, which he that surviveth should escape (both here in this chap. v. 13. and c. 10. 22. and Mar. 13. 13.) as when their persecutors (for such were the unbeleiving Jewes) are destroyed, it must necessarily follow. The nearnesse of it is therefore the best motive to confirme the patience of any; and is again expressed v. 9. by the Judges standing before the gate, that is, very nigh at hand, ready to enter on the work. And so I conceive it signifies also, 2 Pet. 1. 16. as will appear by considering the circumstances of the place (see Note c.) and so ch. 3. 4. and 12. being a coming, which was within a while to be expected by them. And so 1 Joh. 2. 28. there having been before mention of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ver. 18. the last hour then pre∣sent, which belongs therefore to that matter,* 1.16 both by the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the then presence of it, John being the disciple that lived to see it, and by the Antichrists again, that were to come before it. Of this coming of Christ it is, that Cunaeus and some other learned men interpret the Pro∣phecy of Jacob, of Shilos coming. For that by Judah is signified the Jewish nation, and by the Scepter, the government, or politia, 'tis clear, which yet did not depart from them at Christs birth, no nor at his death, till about forty years after, at which time the govern∣ment was wholly taken away from the nation, and from that time to this was never in any degree recove∣red again, (and so that Prophecy then, and not till then, perfectly fulfill'd) and at the same time was the preach∣ing of the Gospel to the Gentiles, which followes in that place. Thus when Christ answer'd Peter about John, If I will &c. ch. 21. 20. (which is in effect that John should live till this coming of Christ) 'tis clear that it must belong to the* 1.17 destruction of the Jewes which John did outlive. That this is the meaning of his coming in glory with his angels, Mat. 16. 27. hath been shew'd already. So again Mat. 26. 64. his coming in the clouds of heaven, though it may be thought to look toward his finall third coming at the great day of doome, yet as the very Jewes have observ'd, that that phrase signifies the infliction of judgment or punish∣ment, so that it doth so there, appears by the beginning of the verse, where, saith christ, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from now, that is, within a short time, saith Euthymius, you shall see this, &c. To the same may be applied that pa∣rable, wherein the Master giving talents to his servants, bids them occupy till he Come, Lu. 19. 13. that the di∣sciples use the talent intrusted to them, to get beleivers to Christ in Judaea, till the time, when Christ thus Comes to visit. So Lu. 18. 8. when the son of man comes, that is, when Christ thus comes to judge this nation, shall he find faith 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in this land of Judaea? that is very little faith should be found among them. The phrase 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (like as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 among the Rabbins) signifying in the same manner, as it doth Lu. 21. 23. that is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 among this people, and so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the tribes of Judaea v. 30. So Heb. 10. 37. yet a little while, and he that cometh, will come and will not delay, which cannot be interpreted of any other coming, but this, and had before been express'd v. 25. by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the day approaching, (see the Note on that place) And all this agreeable to that expression in S. Luke, c. 19. 15. where in the parable there is mention of the man 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 returning,* 1.18 or, coming back, when he had received the kingdome, that is, of Christ retur∣ning again after his going to heaven, and that first to call his servants to account for the talents, to see what profit came in of all his, and the Apostles preaching on earth, and then for his enemies, that would not have him raign over them, that is, the Jewes that rejected and crucified him, to send for them, and see them slain be∣fore him. The only objection (of any appearance of reason) against this interpretation is, that this de∣struction being wrought by the Roman army, and those as much enemies of Christianity as any, and the very same people that had joyn'd with the Jewes to put Christ to death, it doth thereupon appear strange, that either those armies which are call'd Abominable should be call'd Gods armies, or that Christ should be said to come, when in truth it was Vespasian and Titus that thus came against this people. To this I answer, 1. that 'tis ordinary with God in the old Testament to call those Babylonish, Assyrian, heathen armies, his, which did his work in punishing the Jewes, when they rebell'd against him. As for Vespasian (though it need not be said, and though the answer is otherwise clear, that Christ is fitly said to come, when his Ministers doe come, that is, when either heathen men or Satan him∣self, who are executioners of Gods will, when they think not of it, are permitted by him to work destruction on his enemies, to act revenge upon his crucifiers) it is yet not unworthy of observation, how easie it might be in many particulars to shew that Christ was resem∣bled or represented by that Emperour; As 1. that it was before-hand prophecyed of him, that he should be Emperour, (see Josephus l. 3. c. 7. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Suetonius, Taci∣tus, Dion) 2^ly, that an oxe brake in and fell downe at his feet, in Suetonius, as when Christ was born in the stable it had been: 3^dly, that he healed the blind and the lame with spittle and touch, So Sueton, c. 7. and Tacit. l. 4. Hist. 4^ly, that he was most humble and mild, humilli∣mus & clementissimus, saith Suetonius, a perfect image of what was most eminently true in Christ, Learn of me, for I am meek—&c. 5^ly, that he shut the gate of Janus Temple and erected a Temple of Peace, Josephus de Bell. Jud. l. 7. c. 24. and Baron. ann. 77. 6^ly, be∣cause he came out of Judaea, and was Ruler over the Gentiles, and so was by Josephus beleived to be the Messias: 7^ly, that neither he nor his son Titus would be call'd Judaicus (in token of their victory over the Jewes) but ascribed all the conquest and whole work to God, saith Dio. 8^ly, that he was by the Jewes them∣selves taken for Shiloh, or Christ, because at that time all the progeny of the Assamonaei were ceased. By all which it is clear how farre it would be from strange how agreeable to Scripture-prophecies, which must be allowed to have somewhat of figure in them, and not to be perfectly literall) that Christ should be described here, in the person of Vespasian, to return, and so to come again to avenge his crucifixion, and punish the Jewes that crucified him. To which purpose many farther parallels betwixt the story of that destruction and the passages in the story of Christ might be obser∣ved out of Josephus, As 1. That in Galilee were the be∣ginnings of these miseries (Joseph. de Bell. Jud. l. 3.) where Christs first miracles were wrought. 2. That from Mount Olivet the siege began, l. 6. c. 10. where Christ seems to have been v. 1. when he began to deli∣ver this Prophecy against them, and neer which place it was that he was apprehended. 3^ly, That the time of the Passover was the beginning of the slaughter, c. 11. and lib. 7. c. 17. as it was of his crucifixion (see Euse∣bius Eccl. Hist. l. 3. c. 5.) 4^ly, That the high and low places were made smooth for the coming of the Roman army and the engines, ch. 12. as was said in John Bap∣tists prophecy of it. 5^ly, That at the coming of the Ba∣listae they cried out, Filius venit ch. 18. The son cometh, which is the very phrase which we have now in hand. 6^ly, That one was crucified alive before their faces, ch. 19. 7^ly, That Longinus pierced the side of one, ch. 22. 8^ly, That Titus desired to save the Temple in spight of them c. 24. and many prodigies of this nature, which might make it more reasonable that that destruction should be thus styled, the coming of Christ.

[ c] * 1.19 V. 3. End of the world] By what hath been said of the meaning of Christs coming in this place, will appear also, what is the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the conclusion of the age, especially if it be mark'd that in stead of these two together, S. Luke c. 21. 7. hath only 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 these, uniting them into one, What is the signe when these things shall come to passe? and S. Marke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, when all these things shall be concluded, that is, those immediately foremention'd, the destruction of the Temple, c. 13. 4. (see note on Mar. 13. a.) For the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 literally signifies age (see note on Lu.* 1.20 1. 0.) and is in a manner the English word with the Greek termination (and so is used sometimes for the age of man, all one with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as Homer Il. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a short age) and then 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 will denote the conclusion, or shutting up of that age, or the Jewish state, which was to be within that age, Accor∣ding to that of the Jewes, that there was a double age, the then present and the future 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the age to come, Is. 9. 6. which they call the age of the Messias, And so this revenge upon the Jewes, the destruction of that people, may be styled the consummation of the age. An eminent place there is in the Book of Tobit, which will give light to this, and shew the ground of this phrase in the ordinary speech of the Jewes, It is ch. 14. 5. where Tobit prophecies of three periods, which should fall after his time, 1. The rebuilding of the Tem∣ple, God shall again bring them into the land, where they shall build the Temple, but not like the first, and that shall continue till the times of that age be fulfilled, that is the second period, the conclusion or consumma∣tion of the age here, the end of the Jewish state. And then after is the glorious Jerusalem, the glorious build∣ing spoken of by the Prophets, & there described, v. 6. by the turning of the nations, converting of the Gentiles, and serving God truly, and burying their idols, which is clearly the state of Christianity. Thus when in Ge∣mara, out of an ancient writing 'tis said, Sanbed. c. 11. §. 29. that after 4291 years 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the age shall be consummated, 'tis clear that it belongeth to this matter, not to the end of the whole world, but, as they say, to the daies of the Messias, which they use to call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the last daies, and so Heb. 9. 26. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the consummation of the ages, in the same sense also. And in that famous place of Daniel (referr'd to v. 14.) c. 9. 27. he shall make it desolate even untill the consummation. So ch. 13. 40. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the conclusion of this age, that famous period of the Jewish state, till which time Christ would not have the wicked hereticall Professors medled with, or discriminated, but pure beleivers, and impure mis∣beleivers permitted together, that is, the Gnosticks (that soon sprung up after Christs departure) and the ortho∣dox Christians. And accordingly so it was, These abominable hereticks infested the Church, and so for some time continued to doe under the guise of Christi∣ans, though their heresie were a rapsody of Heathe∣nisme and Judaisme and all vile practise; Only when the time of visitation came, then they were destroyed

with the crucifiers of Christ, and then the discrimina∣tion was made. Thus* 1.21 Orosius evidently understands it, for speaking of the times before that destruction, Cùm Christus, saith he, à discipulis interrogaetus esset de conclusion temporum subsequentium, sic ait, Au∣dituri estis praelia, &c. when Christ was asked by his disciples of the conclusion of the following times, he said, Ye shall heaer of warres &c. For the notion of this phrase, Mat. 28. 20. see Note c. on that Chapter. The like phra∣ses (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the end, & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the end of all things, &c.) have,* 1.22 and shall be observed in their due places.

[ d] * 1.23 V. 6. End] What 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the end signifies, is ex∣press'd by S. Chrysostome, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the end of Jerusalem, the same that before by Christs coming, and the end of the age. So v. 14. Then shall the end come, to wit, when the Gospel having been preached through all the cities of Judaea succeslesly, the Apostles turne to the Gentiles, as 'tis in the beginning of that verse. So Mar. 13. 7. the place directly parallel to this, so Lu. 21. 9. also, and 1. Pet. 4. 7. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the end of all things, that is, of the Jewish State, wherein those of the dispersion to whom he wrote, were so particu∣larly concerned; And 'tis observable, that as there, when the end of all things, that is, that fatall destructi∣on was at hand, there was actually 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 among them the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 v. 12. that is, a combustion or conflagra∣tion, to wit, that of civill broyles caused by the unbe∣leiving Jewes, and hereticall Gnosticks, against the or∣thodox and pure Christians, so here before this coming of the end, the nation shall rise against the nation, &c. v. 7. that is, there should be these civill commotions and warres among them, which did indeed so hasten their ruine, and make it so cruell, when it came. Thus also 1. Thess. 2. 16. where, upon the filling up the mea∣sure of their sins, the wrath of God is said to have come hastily upon those Jewes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or totall destruction of them, for though it were not then actually done, when that Epistle was writ, yet it was so certainly decreed against them, that it is said in the Aorist, indefinitely, it hath overtaken them already, that is, will speedily overwhelme them. Thus is the phrase used by Ezechiel c. 7. An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land, v. 2. and 3. now is the end come upon thee, and v. 6. an end is come, the end is come, All to the destruction of the Jewes, not to the end of the whole world; see Note on Act. 2. 6. Now whereas it is here said, that all must come to passe, but the end is not yet, it followes yet manifestly from hence, that the false Christs mentioned v.* 1.24 5. must be some persons, that came before that period which is here cal∣led the end, that is, before the approach of the Romans to destroy Jerusalem,* 1.25 soon after the ascension of Christ. Of this kind is that Theudas which is mentioned by Eusebius in the time of Claudius,* 1.26 not he that is refer∣red to by Gamaliel Act: 5. 36. (for he is there said to have been before Judas Galileus, which was in the dayes of the taxing, that is, about the time of the birth of Christ, see Euseb. l. 1. c. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.) but another later Theu∣das, which though Eusebius by incogitancy affirme to be the same, which is mentioned by Gamaliel before Judas, yet he out of Josephus places him in the time of the prefecture of Fadus, that is, in Claudius's reigne. And of this Theudas saith Josephus, that being a sor∣cerer he perswaded a great multitude to bring all their goods and follow him to the river Jordan, which he pro∣mised to divide by his commands and give them an easie passage over it, and saying thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 he de∣ceived many (which is the thing here affirmed of him) and he and his were by Fadus discomfited, and his head cut off, and brought to Jerusalem. Such again was the Egyptian, Act. 21. 31. mentioned also by* 1.27 Euse∣bius and Josephus. And such was Dosthes or Dositheus which called himself 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, saith Origen, contr. Cel. l. 2. And indeed the rest of the forenamed and many more, which rose up with this undertaking, that they would redeem the Jewes out of their subjection to the Ro∣mans, (See Lu. 21. 8.) though they did not distinctly call themselves Christ, yet did so in effect, the defini∣tion of a Christ being 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 he that should redeem Israel,* 1.28 Lu. 24. 21. As for the false Pro∣phets mentioned v. 11. they belong to another period of time, immediately before the fatall day, v. 14. and by that which is mentioned together with them (the Christians hating and betraying one another, and many being scandalized, and falling off from Christ by that means, and the multiplying of iniquity, that is, the un∣naturall dealing of those fellow-Christians, in sharp∣ning the Jewes, and bringing that heavy tribulation, and oppression upon them, and the growing cold of love, that is, of constancy in confessing of Christ, all which was eminently fulfilled in the Gnosticks, (that fil∣thy sect of Christians) 'tis most proper to interpret those Pseudo-Prophets to be the followers of Simon Magus,* 1.29 to wit, those Gnosticks, which first secretly infus'd their doctrines of complyance with the Jewes, on purpose to avoid persecution from them, Gal. 6. 12. and at the time of writing the second Epistle to the Thessalonians, were then a mystery of iniquity, that is, had not then broken out into that height, as soon after they did upon occasion of the Apostles departing from the Jewes, and going profess'dly to the Gentiles, a while before the destruction of the Jewes, which came and destroyed these also, 2 Thess. 2. 8. And so 'tis here said next after the mention of the false Prophets, and the persecutions wrought by them, that the Gospell shall be preach'd to all the world for a witnesse to all na∣tions, that is, that the Apostles shall give over the Jewes and go preach to the Gentiles, and then shall the end come, v. 14. and what that is, appears by the next words, v. 15. the abomination of desolation, &c. that is, Jerusalem besieged, in S. Luke. As for the Pseudo-Prophets and Pseudo-Christs v. 24. they belong to a third time, or period immediately consequent to the great tribulation, v. 21. upon Titus's building the wall about the city▪ which made the famine rage so hor∣ribly, and the souldiers firing of the Temple, which soon followed after. For at this point of time,* 1.30 Jose∣phus tells us of a false prophet, who as from God, pro∣mised deliverance no all that should go up into the Temple, and many beleeving him, six thousand were by that means burnt in that fire. Beside this, saith he, there were many false Prophets, set up by the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 seditious, promising help from God, and conjuring them neither to fly, nor think of delivering up the city, and though Josephus mention it not, yet it seems by v. 24. that by evil arts they wrought some strange feats, to gain beleef from them. Of these some exalted Si∣mon, with his army in the wilderness, as the person by whom the work would be wrought, others directed them to John, and his faction of Zelots, which kept within the city, as it followes there v. 26. If they shall say unto you, Behold he is in the desart, &c. For by these means they were still kept in hope, and restrained both from flight and delivering the city, and so more as∣certain'd to all sad distress and destruction finally.

[ e] * 1.31 V. 7. Nation] The Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 here, which we render nation, and the Latine gens, (answerable to the Hebrew 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 are the Originals from whence the words ethnick (or heathen) and Gentile come, and by the customary acception of the words for the other na∣tions of the world, exclusively, and in opposition to the Jewes then, & Christians now, it comes to passe, that the word nations is ordinarily thought to signifie all other people of the world, but never the Jewes. But this is a mistake, thus casually & causelesly occasioned; For there were severall divisions of Palestine (as they were be∣fore 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Deut. 15. 6. many nations and great, c. 9. 1. which were the Jewes now possess'd of) Judaea,

and Galilee, & Iturea, and Abylene; And each of these is properly called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 natio, and so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 kingdome too, there being severall Tetrarchs over them Lu. 3. 1. So Ec∣clus. 50. 26. there being mention of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 two nations, Samaria is presently specified to be one of them. And so here and Lu. 21. 10. the phrase nation against nation (& in like manner kingdome against kingdome) may well de∣note civill intestine commotions in Palestine, perhaps one of these Tetrarchies against another, or else one of these against it selfe (as civill warres are intestine brea∣ches in the same city or nation) and so certainly the very phrase is used 2 Chron. 15. 6. where as an expression of the great vexations of the Jewes v. 5. 'tis added, nation was destroyed of nation, city of city, where the Greek reads 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 nation shall fight (as here shall rise) against nation. In this sense we finde not only the word nation in the singular appropriated by some ad∣junct to Judea, as our nation, Lu. 7. 5. our place, and nation, Joh. 11. 48. the nation of the Jewes, Act. 10. 22. this nation, Act. 24. 2, 10. thy nation, Joh. 18. 35. and my nation, Act. 24. 17. 26. 4. 28. 19. but with∣out any such adjunct, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the nation, Lu. 23. 14. and Jo. 11. 50, 51, 52. and even in the Plural, the word nations used in the Prophets for Palestine; so Psal. 2. 1. the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or nations, and people, that op∣pose Christ, are, I conceive, the Jewes in their consul∣tation against him, and so 'tis interpreted and applyed peculiarly to them, Act. 4. 25, 27. where they are cal∣led 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the nations and people, and more di∣stinctly, v. 28. (divided from Herod and Pontius Pilate) the nations and people of Israel. And so when of Jeremy 'tis said, that he was ordained a Prophet unto the nations, Jer. 1. 5. the Jewes sure are at least one of those nations. So. c. 4. 16. mention to the nations, that is, to the Jewes. For by that which followes in the next words, publish against Jerusalem, it appears to be a Prophecy against that people, so c. 25. 11. these na∣tions, that is, the Jewes, shall serve the King of Babylon seventy years, the precise time of the Jewish captivity. So when Mat. 12. 15. 'tis said that Christ withdrew from Capernaum (and Mar. 3. 7. 'tis specified, that it was to the sea of Galilee) upon that is applyed to him by S. Matthew that of Is. 42. 1. that he shall declare judgement to the Gentiles, or nations, and in him shall the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 nations trust, that is, the Jewes in Galilee and the adjacent cities of Tyre and Sidon, &c. which came out and were healed of him, Mar. 3. 8. when the Pharisees consulted to destroy him, Mat. 12. 14. So Lam. 1. 1. when of Jerusalem 'tis said, that she was great among the nations, that signifies that city to have been the Metropolis of Judea, as is farther express'd by the next words, and Princesse among the Provinces. And so, I suppose, is to be affirmed of the chiefe or first fruits of the nations, Am. 6. 1. and some others the like; Thus Lu. 21. 25. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a di∣stresse of the nations on, or in, the land of Palestine, see Note on that place. That this is the meaning of nation here, will appear both by the completion of this Pro∣phecy (not by warres in other parts of the world, for that was so ordinary a thing, that 'twas incompetent to be given for a signe or denotation of a particular time, but in the great commotions and slaughters (see Rev. 6. 4. Note a.) that were in Palestine, as also by the addition of famines &c. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from place to place, which belongs to that famine mentioned Act. 11. 28. (and in Eusebius Eccl. Hist. l. 3. c. 5. out of Josephus de Bell. Jud. l. 5. in the dayes of Claudius Caesar, which (agreeably to this prediction of Christ) was there also foretold by Agabus, and when 'tis there said that it shall be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.32 on the whole world, that must be understood (as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 world signifies Lu. 21. 26. and Rom. 10. 18.) the whole land of Judea, according to the manner of the Septuagint, who oft render the land (when it signifies the land of Judea) by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the world. So Is. 10. 23. where for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the world, the Apostle Ro. 9. 28. reads 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 upon the land, so Isai. 13. 5. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to destroy the whole world, where accor∣ding to the Context we read to destroy the whole land, and so again v. 9. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to lay (not the world, but) the land desolate: so c. 24. 1. See Note on Lu. 2. a. And in this sense of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 world, the prediction here exactly agrees with Josephus's rela∣tion of the times, who saith, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that there was a great famine through Ju∣dea. And accordingly 'tis said in the Act. c. 11. 29. that they of Antioch sent reliefe into Judea, which ar∣gues the famine to have been confined to Judea, and not extended to Antioch, see 1 Cor. 16. 1. and 2 Cor. 9. 1. And thus most probably must 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 be inter∣preted in this chapter, v. 9. all the nations, that is, of Paelestine, all the Jewes in all parts, for the Jewes were they which so hated and persecuted them (and the Gen∣tiles comparatively did not but as they were stirred up by them) and the Apostles are not yet supposed to goe out of Palestine, but to be on their taske of preaching through the cities of Israel, till the time of Christs coming to destroy that people, Mat. 10. 23. see note on that chap. h. And accordingly 'tis possible that the 14. verse of this chapter of the preaching of the Gospel 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in the whole world, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for a testimony 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (which is there the im∣mediate forerunner of this end, or coming of Christ to destroy the Jewes) may be so understood, as will be most agreeable to c. 10. 23. of the Apostles preaching through all the parts of that region, that is, so as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 shall not signifie the world, or nations in the greatest latitude, but all Palestine, and the severall nations and cities in it, as we know, Gens signifies a∣mong the Latines in a very limited sense, no more then a family or kindred, and so here it may signifie all the tribes of the Jewes. But in that 14. v. it may be other∣wise interpreted very fitly, that just before the coming of that vengeance on the Jewes, the Gospel shall be preached through all the world, which indeed was the naturall consequent of their having preach'd over all the regions of the Jewes successively. See more of this word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in Note on c. 28. b. and on Rev. 11. g.

[ f] * 1.33 V. 15. Abomination] That the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 abomination of desolation stan∣ding in the holy place, is the Roman army besieging Jerusalem, may appear 1 by the parallel place Lu. 21. 20. where before that admonition of, then let those that are in Judea fly to the mountains, &c. (which here fol∣lowes immediately, and so demonstrates it to be this very matter) these words are set, when ye shall see Je∣rusalem compassed with armies, then know that the deso∣lation thereof is nigh. 2^dly, by the agreeablenesse of the words to this sense, and consonance of them to that other expression in S. Luke. For the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 doth (by an Hebraisme, imitated by the Wri∣ters of the New Testament) signifie an abominable, heathen, profane, wasting company of souldiers, or the like: so in the place of Daniel (here referred to) 'tis clear c. 9. 27. with the abominable armies he shall make it desolate, the word abominable being ordinari∣ly applyed to the then polluted and idolatrous heathen world, of which the Romans were a principall part, whose armies were to work this desolation on Jerusa∣lem; Agreeable to which it is what Artemidorus hath said in his Oneirocritickes l. 2. c. 20. that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 vul∣tures or Eagles (the very creatures to which in this place the Roman armies are compared v. 28.) signifie in his art 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, wicked abominable enemies, the very paraphrase of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 here, This army, by which the desolation is wrought, is therefore express'd by this. And the standing of it in the holy place, is the situation of it about Jerusalem, for so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

signifies on or among, or close to that place, to wit, the bounds of that City, which is so oft called the holy ci∣ty, or place. And so these words, though at first sight somewhat distant from it, signifie no more then that heathen army about Jerusalem. And when in S. Marke 'tis said to stand 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 where it ought not,* 1.34 that re∣ferres to the separation made by God of the Jews from all other the heathen people, which were not to come to that place, which is therefore called holy, in respect of that separation from all others. That by this Prophe∣cy in Daniel is meant the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the total destruction and final ruine of the Temple, see Euseb. Eccl. Hist. l. 3. c. 5.

[ g] * 1.35 V. 16. Fly to, &c.] How exactly the several pas∣sages of story in Josephus agree with these predictions, will easily be discerned by comparing them, particular∣ly that which belongs to this place of their flying to the mountains, &c. For when Gallus besieged Jerusalem, and without any visible cause, on a suddain raised the siege, what an act of Gods speciall providence was this, thus to order it, that the believers or Christian Jewes be∣ing warned by this siege, and let loose (set at liberty a∣gain) might flie to the mountains, that is, get out of Judaea to some other place? Which that they did ac∣cordingly appears by this, that when Titus came some months after and besieged the city, there was not one Chistian remaining in it. This same thing is observed by Eusebius Eccl. Hist. l. 3. c. 5. and that the people of the Church in Hierusalem (that is, the Christians there) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. according to an oracle delivered by revelation to some honest men among them, commanding them to goe over Jordan to a city called Pella, did all re∣move thither, and left Jerusalem without any Christi∣ans in it at their destruction; And this he referres to read at large in Josephus, where the story is set down. The same is again related by Epiphanius, de Pond. & Mens. ch. 15. (see 1 Pet. 1. 5.)

[ h] * 1.36 V. 17. House top] The buildings of Judaea had ge∣nerally 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 plain roofs fit to walk upon, and con∣verse in, as cloysters paved with stones to that purpose. See Gerson tract. in Magnif. p. 975. whence, saith he, is that of the Psalmist, I am become as a sparrow on the house top, walking solitary there. Of this whole pas∣sage, that it belongs to the Jewes in Jerusalem, see Cae∣sarius, Dial. 4. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 194. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Christ foretelling the future flight of the Jews, commands them to fly to the mountains, for after Vespasian. Titus arising, utterly demolished and de∣populated Jerusalem, destroyed the Jewes, the men with the sword, the children by dashing them against the ground, cutting up them that were with child, with all kind of death and destruction blotting out those fighters against God. And it happened that the city was taken on the sabbath day, all the people staying at home to ob∣serve the sabbatick rest, and this in the winter also, and so none could avoid or escape the destruction. He that was on the house top indevoured to hide himself, and so preferring life before possessions, would not take any thing out of his house. He that was in the field, or country about, did not onely not return to his house, but fled as far as he could, seeing the burning and taking of the city.

[ i] * 1.37 V. 22. No flesh] By no flesh here is meant none of all the Jews, so saith S. Chrysostome, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, all flesh, that is, all the Jewes, That is, that the sharpnesse of this warre from the Romans without, and of the Zelots within, that killed all that were averse from warre, was such, that if it had continued, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, if it had gone on farther a∣gainst the city, all the Jews every where 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, had been destroyed utterly.

[ k] * 1.38 Ib. Elects] The 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 here are those few, whom God had determined to preserve out of that common destruction, the beleivers among the Jewes. These are the remnant, so oft mentioned by the Prophets, that they should escape, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the remnant according to the election of grace, Rom. 11. 5. So v. 7. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. this remnant of the Jews have obtained that, which the rest, being obdurate, and senselesse, obtained not. Of this word see Note on 1 Pet. 2. c.

[ l] * 1.39 V. 26. Secret chambers] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 saith Hesychius, signifie 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, secret dwellings, possibly such where men could gather company together undiscer∣nibly, and so raise armies secretly, as others (which de∣signed it openly) in the wildernesse, v. 5. But 'tis more likely that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 being taken ordinarily for a maga∣zine or storehouse, the word may so signifie here, places for ammunition, and armes, some frontier towns in the borders of that kingdome, where men and armes lay in store for defence. Agreeable to this is that of Hesy∣chius in the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that they are 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Keepers, and Governours, and Storers of the publick moneys, and all else that was common. And accord∣ingly the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 before, may most pro∣bably denote such houses of store, under ground cel∣lars, &c.

[ m] * 1.40 V. 28. Eagles] The explication of this verse will depend upon two things, 1. that the Eagle was the en∣signe of the Roman Militia, So saith Dion, 'twas 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a little shrine with a golden eagle in it. And though the Persians also had the Eagle in their army, yet that was but one in the whole army, as the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or Kings-colours, whereas the Romans had two in every legion. So in the anci∣ent Writer of the Sibylline Oracles, prophecying of the destruction of the Roman powers, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the glory of the Eagle-bearing le∣gions shall fall. To this I shall only adde that of Pliny, Nat. Hist. l. 10. Aquilam Romanis legioni∣bus Caius Marius in secundo consulatu suo propriè dicavit; Erat & antea prima cum quatuor aliis, Lupi, Minota••ri, Equi, Apríque singulos ordines anteibant; Paucis ante annis sola Aquila portari coepta est, reliqua in castris relinquebantur, Marius in totum ea abdica∣vit, C. Marius in his second Consulship appointed the Eagle for the Romane Legions: Before that, it had been the first, but had four more to bear it company, the Wolfe, the Minotaure, the Horse, and the Boare. Then these four grew out of use, and only the Eagle was brought out. But Marius wholly abdicated the rest. From whence 'tis clear, 1. that all the five Ensignes in use among them, were by Marius reduced to that one of the Eagle, and so remained at the time wherein Christ spake, and indeed was not changed till Constantine brought the Crosse into their armies. 2. That that, as all the other four, was an Embleme of rapacity or devouring, which (together with their sagacity to find out, and skill to presage slaughters) was the other thing, on which I purposed to ground the explication of this verse. To which purpose (besides that observation of Jobs concerning the Eagle, she seeketh the prey (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.) and her eyes behold afarre off, her young ones also suck up blood, and where the slain are, there is she, chap. 39. 29, 30. setting down the whole matter very exactly and punctually) I shall add some few others out of Authors. The Eagle that is there spoken of in Job, is by the Translatours rendred 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of which kind of Vultures 'tis* 1.41 Lucians expres∣sion, and that proverbial, speaking of one that had a great sagacity, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a carkasse will sooner be concealed from those Vultures. So saith* 1.42 Phornutus, This vulture is a kind of bird consecrated to Mars, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because such birds abound, where there are many carkasses, and they are, saith he, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, proclaimers of fights, and doe tell their companions of them by a kind of

cry of theirs. So Philes in his Iambicks 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,

These birds have a divining nature in them, By which it is that they travail as companions of armies, in hope and expectation of the carkasses that fall there, and are most ravenous in the devouring of what is there left be∣hind. So Artemidorus in his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. l. 2. c. 20. having set down this very species of Eagles, these 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to denote those detestable enemies (which even now were mentioned, as an explication of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 v. 15.) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which dwelt not in the city, he gives this reason of it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, they rejoyce in dead bodies. So* 1.43 again mentioning the sig∣nification of the severall creatures, and among them the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the open raveners (among which he reckons these) they signifie, saith he, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, theeves and plunderers. From whence it is that our countryman Mr. Fuller in his Miscellanies hath con∣jectured 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Sozomen, Eccl. hist. l. 1. c. 4.) to come from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which signifies devouring or rapacious. All which being put together shews the reasonablenesse of this in∣terpretation of the verse, and how perfectly agreeable it is to the Context in this place, where the last thing that was said, was, that the judgement should fall upon the Jews almost at once, in the most distant places of that nation, and that is here proved by this resemblance, that as the Vultures find out the carkasse, wheresoever it is, so shall the Roman armies find out the Jews, and prey, and make slaughter of them. And although in S. Luke chap. 17. 37. it be brought in by way of answer of Christ to the disciples question [Where Lord?] that is, Where shall this visible vengeance be wrought? yet that is very agreeable with this sense also, and will hardly be capable of any other. For there should not be any determinate place for the working of this ven∣geance, but wheresoever the Jewes are, there shall they be found out and destroyed by these Roman Eagles. By all which it will become reasonable enough to apply to this finall destruction of the Jewes by the Roman Eagles, that prophecy so long before delivered by Mo∣ses, Deut. 28. 49. The Lord shall bring a nation a∣gainst thee from farre, from the end of the earth, as the Eagle flyeth (the words as swift are put in by our English, and are not in the Originall) a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand. So Hos. 8. 1. as an eagle against the house of the Lord, &c.

[ n] * 1.44 V. 29. Powers of heaven] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ordinarily sig∣nifieth an host or, army, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, answerable to 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the powers or the hosts, of heaven, are the Sun, Moon, and Stars, that move and shine there. These are used in Propheticall, that is, figura∣tive writings, to denote the then Church of God, the people of the Jewes, (according as the Temple is called the Campe, and all things in it are express'd by that Me∣taphor of a militia) so when Dan. 8. 10. it is said of the little horne, It waxed great even against the host of heaven, and it cast down some of the host, and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. There is little doubt but the Jewes are meant thereby the host of heaven, for otherwise it would not be very intelligible of the stars of heaven, how they should be cast down to the ground, and stamped on, save only in this sense, as Jerusalem is said elsewhere, Lu. 21. 24. to be troden under foot by the Gentiles. According to this notion of this phrase, all the rest of this verse will be interpretable, that the Sun, that is, the Temple, the Moon, that is, Jerusalem the chief city, and the Starres, that is, the rest of the lesser Cities, and so altogether making up the host of heaven, that is, the whole nation and Church of the Jewes, shall be brought down from the flourishing con∣dition, which they had formerly enjoyed, many cities, Jerusalem particularly, utterly destroyed, and the whole people shaken, endangered shrewdly, brought neer (only a remnant escaping according to the pro∣phecies) to utter desolation (see Isa. 13. 10. and 34 4. Ezek. 32. 7. Joel 2. 31. and Rev. 6. 13, 14. note g. and Rev. 8. note g.) And so agreeable to this exactly will that voice of Jesus the son of Ananias be, Euseb. l. 3. c. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Wo wo to the city, and to the people, and to the Temple.

[ o] * 1.45 V. 30. Signe] This 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 may possibly signifie some speciall prodigy, that should fall about that time attending on that destruction. Josephus mentions many, de Bell. Jud. l. 7. c. 12. especially that of a Comet in forme of a fiery sword, which for a year together hung over the City. But this was but a presage of the fatall destruct••on of that city, and so, though it were a visible signe of the sonne of mans coming, that is, of the vengeance which he meant to work upon this people, and that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, being literally in heaven, yet it cannot belong to this place, which sets down the consequents, which ensued 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, after the distresse, and straights, of those days, that is, after the siege of Jerusalem v. 29. And therefore this signe of the son of man may rather signifie here such a manifestation of Christs presence in this punishment of the Jewes, as should convince them, that it was for their crucifying of him, that it was come upon them, and accordingly mourn (all the tribes of Israel, as it followes) &c.

[ p] * 1.46 V. 51. Cut him asunder] Twas the law for Debtors that were accused and cast in Judgment for falsenesse, or not performance of promise, and obligation to Cre∣ditours, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to be cut asunder, saith Tertull. Apol. p. 22. and so proportionably Stewards, that have not performed their Masters trusts: And these are ranked with hypocrites, that is,* 1.47 knaves, false, deceitfull persons, expressed by S. Luke (in setting this down) c. 12. 46. by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 unbeleivers or unfaithfull. And the meaning of the verse seems to be this, that they which in stead of serving Christ in his Church, in bringing in beleivers to him, shall (upon the persecuting of Chri∣stians by the Jewes, and the deferring this vengeance of Christ upon that people) begin to joyne with the Gno∣sticks, 1. in their complying with the Jewes, and perse∣cuting the Orthodox Christians, 2^dly in indulging to the licentious practises observable among them, these Apostate false servants of Christ shall pay dearly for it shall be destroyed by Christ, like false stewards, be joyn'd with the Gnosticks (those hypocrites or unbe∣leivers, abominable reproaches, and stains of the Christian profession) as in their practises, so in their destruction.

Notes

• * 1.1

  pluckt a∣sunder, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.2

  conclusion of the age?
• * 1.3

  throwes, or, pangs of travaile, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.4

  Sabbath 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• † 1.5

  no flesh should e∣scape.
• * 1.6

  the Christ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.7

  store houses, cel∣lars, places of strength, magazines, fortificati∣ons. &c.
• † 1.8

  land, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.9

  Between this and the 32. v. the Gr. and La. MS. inserts these words, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. as it is Lu. 21. 28. And when these things be∣gin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redem∣tion draw∣eth nigh.
• † 1.10

  is now be∣come soft, and leaves sprout forth, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.11

  he is nee•• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.12

  apprehen∣ded, and the other dis∣miss'd, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.13

  this you doe know, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.14

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.15

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.16

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.17

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Theo∣phylact. in Johan, 21••
• * 1.18

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.19

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.20

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.21

  l. ••. c. 3.
• * 1.22

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.23

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.24

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.25

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.26

  Eccl. Hist. li. 2. c. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.27

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 l. 2. c. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.28

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.29

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.30

  l. 8. o. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.31

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.32

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.33

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.34

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.35

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.36

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.37

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.38

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.39

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.40

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.41

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.42

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.43

  l. 4. 58.
• * 1.44

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.45

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.46

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.47

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉