9. But take heed to your selves, for they shall deliver you up [to councels,
and in the Synagogues ye shall be beaten, and ••e shall be brought before Rulers
and Kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.]
[Paraphrase] 9. to the great Consistory in Jerusalem, and the lesser in other cities where you shall be scourged, and delivered to the Roman powers, that they may put you to death (because the Jewes cannot) and this shall be a means of making known to them the Christian religion (as it was in S. Peter and Paul)
10. And the Gospel must first be published among all nations.]
[Paraphrase] 10. But before this de∣struction come on the Jewes, the disciples shall have preacht through all the cities of Jewry, and from them depart to the Gentiles.
11. But when they shall [lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought before
hand what ye shall speake, neither doe ye premeditate, but whatsoever shall be
given you in that hour, that speak ye, for it is not ye that speake, but the holy
Ghost.]
[Paraphrase] 11. carry you before those tribunals, be not solicitous be∣forehand (see Mat. 10. 19.) what answers or pleas to make, for at that time ye shall be by the Spirit of God extraordinarily instructed what apologies or answers to make, and what shall then come into your hearts; remember 'tis an effect of this speciall promise of mine, and so to be lookt on by you, as the dictate of Gods Spirit, and not as any invention of your own, and so without feare or diffidence to be delivered by you.
12. Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son,
and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to
death,]
[Paraphrase] 12. And these prosecuti∣ons, and bringing you before tribunals yee must look for from those that are nearest to you, from Jewes of your closest alliances.
13. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name sake, but he that shall en∣dure
to the end, the same shall be saved.]
[Paraphrase] 13. And indeed from all sorts of men the true Christ∣ian Professors must look for very sharp opposition, All which must not be matter of discouragement to you, for it will be so ordered by the providence of God, that the adhering constantly to Christ will be of all other things the most probable way to deliver you from the present dangers that shall overwhelme the unbelievers and Apostates, and the onely sure way of making you eternally happy, (see Mat. 10. 22. note h.) whatsoever your sufferings be
14. But when ye shall see [the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel
the Prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand) then
let them which be in Judea flee to the mountains]
[Paraphrase] 14. the Roman army (see note on Mat. 24. f.) like that which Daniel spake of, besie∣ging Jerusalem, that holy city, towards which the Gentiles ought not to be suffered to approach, &c. (what ye read in Daniel of other times, have here a farther completion) then be sure ye get you out of Judea. see Mat. 24. g.
15. And let him that is on the house top, not go down into the house, neither
enter therein, to take any thing out of the house,
16. And let him that is in the field [not turn back again to take up his gar∣ment.]
[Paraphrase] 16. get away with as much speed as possibly he can, and not venture the hazard of his life, to save any thing that he hath.
17. But wo to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those
days.
18. And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.]
[Paraphrase] 17, 18. And the hast will be so great which will be neces∣sary in this conjuncture of time, that they that have encumbrances about them to stop that haste, as for example, women with child, or that give suck, or any else, in case it happen to be in the winter, will be much endangered by it.
19. For in those days shall be affliction such as was not from the beginning of
the creation which God created, unto this time, neither shall be.]
[Paraphrase] 19. For they shall be days of most heavy affliction and pressure, such as never were, and never shall be parallel'd in any time.
20. And except that the Lord had shortned those days, [no flesh should be
saved, but for the elects sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortned the days,]
[Paraphrase] 20. Such fury of the ze∣lots, such intestine tumults and horrid cruelties, and such forein close sieges from the Romans, and from thence miserable famines and plagues, that it will be imputable as an especiall act of Gods over-ruling providence, if there be one Jew left undestroyed. But tis foretold by the Pro∣phets that a few shall escape, and that all the Jews should not be utterly cut off, (see Mat. 24. 22. and note k) and for the fulfilling that prophecy care shall be taken for the preserving of some, those especially who shall adhere constantly to the obedience and faith of Christ.
21. And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ, or, Lo he is there,
believe him not,]
[Paraphrase] 21. And so ye are neerly concerned to be carefull, that ye run not out after any deceivers.
22, For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signes and won∣ders,
[to] seduce, if it were possible, even the very elect.
[Paraphrase] 22. that they may, or such as may
23. But take ye heed, [behold I have foretold you all things.]
[Paraphrase] 23. Remember I have for∣warned you.
24. But in those days, after that tribulation, the Sun shall be darkned, and the
Moon shall not give her light.
[Paraphrase] 24. Mat. 24. 29.
25. And the starres of heaven shall fall, and [the powers that are in heaven]
shall be shaken.
[Paraphrase] 25. the hosts of heaven, see Mat. 24. 29.
26. And then shall they see the son of man [coming in the clouds with great
power and glory.]
[Paraphrase] 26. See note a. and on Mat. 24. 6. and v. 30. note 0. and Mat. 26. 64. and Praemon. to Revel.
27. And then shall he send his angels and gather together his elect from the
four winds, [from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of
heaven.]
[Paraphrase] 27. from one end of the world to another. See Mat. 24. 31.
28. Now learn a parable of the figtree, When her branch is yet tender, and
putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near.
29. So ye in like manner when ye shall see these things come to passe, know
that it is nigh, even at the doores.]
[Paraphrase] 29. The like judgment may ye make by these signes and prognosticks to discern when this vengeance comes near.
30. Verily I say unto you, That this generation shall not passe, till all these
things be done.]
[Paraphrase] 30. To which I farther adde, that it shall be within the life time of some now living, and here present, within thirty or forty years, this is sufficient warning for you, and answer to your question, v. 4.