I. That the destruction of Jerusalem and the whole Jewish state, is described, as if the whole frame of this world were to be dissolved. Nor is it strange, when God de∣stroyed his Habitation and City, places once so dear to him, with so direful and sad an overthrow; his own people whom he accounted of as much or more than the whole world beside, by so dreadful and amazing Plagues, Matth. XXIV. 29, 30. The Sun shall be darkned, &c. Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man, &c. which yet are said to fall out, within that Generation, vers. 34. 2 Pet. III. 10. The Heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat, &c. Compare with this, Deut. XXXII. 22. Heb. XII. 26. and observe, that by Elements, are understood the Mo∣saick Elements, Gal. IV. 9. Coloss. II. 20. and you will not doubt, that St. Peter speaks only of the Conflagration of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Nation, and the abolishing the dispensation of Moses.
Revel. VI. 12, 13. The Sun became black as sackcloth of hair, &c. and the Heavens de∣parted as a scroll when it is rolled together, &c. Where, if we take notice of the fore∣going Plagues, by which, according to the most frequent threatnings, he destroyed that people, viz. the Sword, vers. 4. Famine, vers. 5, 6. and the Plague, vers. 8. Withal comparing those words, They say to the Mountains fall on us and cover us, with Luke XXIII. 30. it will sufficiently appear, that by those phrases is understood the dreadful judgment and overthrow of that Nation, and City. With these also agrees that of Jerem. IV. from vers. 22. to 28. and clearly enough explains this phrase. To this apper∣tain those and other such expressions as we meet with, 1 Cor. X. 11. On us the ends of the world are come: and 1 Pet. IV. 7. The end of all things is at hand.
II. With reference to this, and under this notion, the times immediately preceding this ruine, are called the last days, and the last times 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 That is, the last times of the Jewish, City, Nation, Oeconomy. This manner of speaking frequently occurs, which, let our St. John himself interpret. 1 Joh. II. 13. There are many Antichrists, whereby we know it is the last time: and that this Nation is upon the very verge of de∣struction, whenas it hath already arrived at the utmost pitch of Infidelity, Apostacy, and wickedness.
III. With the same reference it is, that the times and state of things immediately fol∣lowing the destruction of Jerusalem, are called, a New Creation, New Heavens, and a New Earth. Isai. LXV. 17. Behold I create a New Heaven and a New Earth. When should that be? Read the whole Chapter, and you will find the Jews rejected and cut off, and from that time is that New Creation of the Evangelical world among the Gentiles.
Compare 2 Cor. V. 17. and Revel. XXI. 1, 2. where, the old Jerusalem being cut off, and destroyed, a new one succeeds; and New Heavens and a New Earth are created.
2 Pet. III. 13. We, according to his promise, look for New Heavens and a New Earth. The Heavens and the Earth of the Jewish Church, and Commonwealth must be all on fire, and the Mosaick Elements burnt up; but we, according to the promise made to us by Isaiah the Prophet, when all these are consumed, look for the New Creation of the Evangelical state.
IV. The day, the time, and the manner of the execution of this vengeance upon this people, are called, the day of the Lord, the day of Christ, his coming in the Clouds, in his Glory, in his Kingdom. Nor is this without reason, for from hence doth this form and mode of speaking take its rise.
Christ had not as yet appeared but in a state of Humility, contemned, blasphemed, and at length murdered by the Jews: His Gospel rejected, laught at, and trampled under foot: His followers pursued with extream hatred, persecution and death it self: At length therefore, he displays himself in his Glory, his Kindom, and Power, and calls for those cruel enemies of his, that they may be slain before him.
Acts II. 20. Before that great and notable day of the Lord come. Let us take notice how St. Peter applies that prophesie of Joel to those very times, and it will be clear enough, without any commentary, what that Day of the Lord is.
2 Thess. II. 2. As if the day of Christ was at hand, &c. To this also do those passages belong, Heb. X. 37. Yet a little while, and he, that shall come, will come. James V. 9. Behold the judge is at the door. Revel. I. 7. He cometh in the Clouds: and XXII. 12. Be∣hold I come quickly. With many other passages of that nature, all which must be understood of Christ's coming in judgment and vengeance against that wicked Nation: and in this very sense must the words now before us be taken and no otherwise: I will that he tarry till I come. For thy part, Peter, thou shalt suffer death by thy Country-men the Jews; but as for him, I will that he shall tarry till I come and avenge my self upon this genera∣tion; and if I will so, what is that to thee? The story that is told of both these Apostles confirms this Exposition; for it is taken for granted by all, that St. Peter had his Crown of Martyrdom, before Jerusalem fell, and St. John survived the ruins of it.