14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.



Ver. 14. Shall destroy this place] sc. Unless they repent.



And shall change the rites] But shall change them for the better. This they cunningly concealed, and made the worst of things, therefore they are counted false witnesses; like as Doeg’s tongue was a false tongue (though he spake but the truth), Psa_120:3, and deceitful, Psa_52:4, condemned to be broiled on coals of juniper, which burn very fiercely, and are a great while ere they go out. A report or testimony may be false, either by denying, disguising, lessening, concealing, misconstruing things of good report; or else by forging, increasing, aggravating, or uncharitably spreading things of evil report; which though they he true, yet if I know them not to be so; or knowing them to be true, if I divulge them not for any love to the truth, nor for respect to justice, nor for the bettering of the hearer or the delinquent, but only to disgrace the one and incense the other; I cannot avoid the imputation of a slanderer and false witness.