Awake, O sword] True it is that for a time my Church shall be an enemy to all manner of false doctrine, and false teachers. But there shall likewise come a time, in which, by my secret providence, Christs true Ministers, according as he himselfe was slain by the Jews, for a false Prophet, shall also be persecuted and slain; whence shall follow a great dispersion of beleevers, and of Churches in the world. He seemeth to have an especiall relation to the times of Antichrist.
my shepherd] Christ, as well in his own person, as in the persons of his faithfull ministers.
my fellow] To shew the unitie of essence, and union of the will of the Father and of the Sonne the Mediatour. See upon Isaiah 5:1. Jeremiah 11:15. John 10:30. &John 17:22.
smite the shepherd] Matthew 26:31. Mark 14:27.
I will turn mine hand] In the generall dispersion, I will gather together, and preserve mine elect, who are poore and weake according to the world. See Chap. 11. 7. 11. Matthew 18:10. 14. James 2:5.