To the Right Honourable LORD, PHILIP Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery, &c. One of those Noble PEERS who in these Re­volting Times continue faithful to the Cause of GOD and the Common-wealth: T. B. wisheth increase of Grace in this Life, and Eternal Glory in the Life to come.

Right Honourable,

THe Author of this Discourse sent it over from New-England, without a Title, without a Dedication. The Title is supplyed: And now I make bold to supply the Dedication, by publishing the Book under your Honours Name and Patronage; which I suppose the Author himself would do, if he were here pre­sent, in regard of that neer dependence which his Reverend and Learned Father once had upon your Lordships Honour­able Father of Renowned Memory, Mr. Robert Parker that fa­mous Divine, whom the Prelates persecu­ted out of the Land, for oppo­sing their Ceremo­nies, espe­cially the Crosse in Baptism. from whom he received his whole Livelyhood; besides many other great and extraordinary Fa­vours which his Wife and Children talk of to this very day. I will not go about to commend the Work, which doth sufficiently com­mend it Self and the Workman too; of whose worth I could speak much, if I were not so neerly allied unto him as I am: Onely this I will say, (which all that are well acquainted with him know to be true) He is a man of singular parts, eminent in Learning, superemi­nent in Grace, strangely mortified to the World, wholly addicted to the Service God and the Church. So craving pardon for my great boldnesse in approaching so neer, being but a stranger, I humbly take my leave, and desire to approve my self

Your Honours truely devoted Servant in the Lord, Thomas Bayly.

To the Reader.

CHristian Reader, it is certain, that the Interpretation of a great part of Prophecies, dependeth on a just and due accommodation of the numbers of the yeers. But the numbers are various, the 1290, 1260, 490, 1000, 2300. To set beginning and end to one of these, without relation to the rest, and so to run at large, is easie. But we are confined. And such terms of beginning and end, must be to one as will be suteable to the terms of all the rest: Which is a very dif­ficult thing to discover. Two wayes of accommodation I have espied, agreeable to all numbers, which in this Discourse I have proposed to consideration. The former doth bring in the end of the reign of Antichrist, and the beginning of the glory of New-Jerusalem, about the yeer 1650: The other way, about the yeer 1860, that is, above 200 yeers hence, as shall be shewed in the Discourse. Which of these two is to be chosen, I am not able at present to determine. Two or three yeers more of experience would have shewed which way to steer. Willingly therefore would I have stayed a little longer, be­fore I had published any of my thoughts concerning Prophecies, that I might have been instructed to write more surely and punctually, and without such uncertain and proble­matical manner of discourse as now I must be forced unto: But I am not to look at my own ends, neither am I to serve my self, but Christ and the Church: Wherefore Christian Reader, accept at my hands what I do communicate in this writing; de­siring and seeking therein the benefit of Sion. I would have presented it more elaborate; but my weaknesse and occasions bindered. Tydings I bring of sad times, and tydings of great joy to follow after. My spirit hath been grieved to declare the former: But I must be faithful, and declare the whole Truth according to my judgement. Neverthelesse, what is the affliction to the glory succeeding? If the time of the end be not yet come, we may, look for an easier affliction, and every day expect deliverance: But then the Restauration following will be onely greater then before, not perfect. If the time of the end be come, then we must expect and prepare for the sad time of the three yeers and half yet future, Apoc. 11.8. and then perfect Restauration will follow after, to be compleated in (hea­venly perfections. I determine nothing in this point. Read and judge, and make appli­cation as God shall please to move. Farewell.

November 20. 1645.

Imprimatur Joseph Caryl.

Concerning the first Vision of the Image, Dan. 2.

The Controversal part.

THe main Controversie in this Vision, is a­bout the Iron feet and legs, and the stone that smote them. The opinion of some is, that they signifie the Successors of Alexan­der in the Grecian Kingdom, and especially the Seleucidae: and the stone cut out of the mountain, Christ at his first coming, and his Spiritual Kingdom following.

This cannot stand,

First, because every metal signifieth a distinct King­dom, and the fulnesse and complement thereof, from the beginning to the perfect end: and therefore the Brazen belly and thighs, are the whole and perfect Grecian kingdom; and accordingly the legs and feet of Iron do signifie another kingdom distinguished from the Grecian, which cannot be the Seleucidae and other Successors in the same kingdom. For as the Golden head doth signifie the whole Babylonian kingdom, the Silver brest the whole Persian; so the Brazen belly and thighs the whole Gre­cian, including the Seleucidae and other Successors in the same kingdom. For these make up the integrity and fulnesse of the Grecian kingdom, as much as the Succes­sors [Page 2]of Nebuchad-nezzar make up the integrity of the Ba­bylonian, or as much as the Successors of Cyrus do con­cur to the perfect constitution of the Persian. And so when the Grecian kingdom is proposed, Chap. 8.21, 22, it is expresly described as constituted, not onely of Ale­xander the Great, but also the Seleucidae and other the Suc­cessors in the same kingdom.

Secondly, because this Vision must reach unto the last days, Chap. 2.28; which could not be, if the leggs and feet, the extreme and utmost part of the Image, should end in the Seleucidae; forasmuch as this kingdom expired before the birth of Christ.

Thirdly, because the leggs are said to be of Iron, in comparison of the parts and kingdoms going before, which were of weaker metal: whereas the Seleucidae and other Successors of Alexander, had not the strength of Alexander. Chap. 8.21, 22. Thou wilt say, The king­dom is represented by Iron, onely in relation to the Church, whereunto it was more terrible then the for­mer. I reply, 1. As the two first kingdoms are repre­sented by unequal Metals, the first of Gold, the second of Silver, to note an absolute inferiority of the one unto the other, Chap. 2.39: so by proportion, the two fol­lowing of Brasse and Iron, to note an absolute imparity in strength, between the later and the former. Where­fore the Iron kingdom must be absolutely and in it self stronger then the Brazen, and not onely in respect of particular exercise and employment of its strength a­gainst the people of the Church. 2. The Iron king­dom is expresly said to be as Iron, because it bruised all these, that is, the former kingdoms; and not because more terrible to the Jews, Vers. 40. 3. Because it is the same with the fourth Beast, with the Iron teeth, Chap. 7.7; which is therefore so represented, because it devoured [Page 3]the whole earth, and not the Jews onely, Chap. 7.23. 4. Because Nebuchad-nezzar and Haman in the former Kingdoms, were more formidable to the Jews then the Seleucidae; and therefore there is no reason that in this respect the fourth kingdom should be represented by Iron, in comparison of the former kingdoms, as stronger and more terrible then those.

Fourthly, in the days of these kings, shall the God of heaven set up the Kingdom of his Son: whereas the kingdom of the Seleucidae and the whole Greek Empire was utterly dissolved before the birth of Christ, Vers. 44.

Neither can the stone that smote the Image be Christ at his first coming, and his Kingdom immediately fol­lowing unto the end;

First, Because the kingdom signified by the stone, must break in pieces all the other kingdoms: whereas the Seleucidae and kingdoms going before, did not stand until the birth of Christ, to be broken down by his King­dom following: and were as broken down before, so by another kingdom, the power of the Romans.

Secondly, because if they had continued till after the birth of Christ, yet his Kingdom that was and is between his first and second Coming, was not appointed for the breaking down of all earthly kingdoms: this being the time of the Gentiles, Luke 21.24, and for the Adversa­ries to reign, and for the Church to be troden under foot, Apoc. 11.2, 15.

Thirdly, because the kingdom here spoken of, doth break in pieces all other kingdoms; so that those being utterly extinct, this alone doth stand in place of them, Vers. 44. Now this state is not to be expected under the kingdom of Patience, or before the fall of Antichrist, when the kingdoms of the earth shall be the Lords and [Page 4]his Christs, and he shall reign for evermore, Apoc. 11.15, 18.

Fourthly, what prerogative and advancement had it been for the Kingdom of Christ Spiritual, to have broken down the Seleucidae and other horns of the Greek Empire, as long as another kingdom, the kingdom of the Ro­manes, succeeded in their place, to beat down the Church by the Heathen Emperours and Antichrist, for longer space of time, and with greater and more terrible perse­cution then ever was before?

Contrarily I affirm, that the leggs, feet and toes of Iron, do signifie the Romane kingdom:

1. Because it is represented by a distinct Metal coming after the Brazen belly and thighs, which is the Grecian. For no other distinct Monarchy came after the Grecian but this, as History doth shew.

2. Because it is stronger then all the rest, and breaketh them in pieces, Dan. 2.40.

3. The Iron leggs and feet are parallel with the Iron teeth of the fourth Beast, which signifieth the Romane kingdom, Dan. 7.7.

4. The ten toes representing the ten kings, are accord­ingly a character of the Romane kingdom, Apoc. 12.3. and 13.1. and 17.

5. It is such a kingdom as must stand to be destroyed by the kingdom of the Saints, in the end of time, and therefore can be no other then the Romane kingdom yet continuing under Antichrist.

The stone is the kingdom of the Saints, as it is interpre­ted Dan. 2.44, 45, with Chap. 7.26, 27. And that it is the kingdom to be set up at the fall of Antichrist, it appeareth by these Arguments.

1. Because it shall be set up to destroy all adverse king­doms in the world, which cannot be expected till about [Page 5]the time of the fall of Antichrist, Vers. 44.

2. It shall be set up without hands, or without the help of man, by the hand alone of God Almighty, Vers. 44. Chap. 8.25.

3. Because this kingdom shall not rise till about the sounding of the seventh Trumpet, which is the time of the fall of Antichrist, Apoc. 11.15, 16, 17.

4. Then, and not before; it shall fill all the earth, Vers. 34, 35, 44, 45; that is, all kingdoms shall be subject unto it, Chap. 7.26, 27. Compare Revel. 11.15.

Of the Image, Dan. 2.
The second Part, containing the Exposition.

FOur Metals do constitute the Image: Gold; Silver, Brasse, Iron. These signifie four Monarchies: the head of Gold, the first Monarchy, The Babylonian: the second Metal, Silver, constituting the brest and arms, The Persian. The two Silver arms, the two arms of the Monarchy, The Medes and Persians, Chap. 8.1, 2, 3. The third Metal, Brasse, constituting the belly and thighs, The third Monarchy, which is the Grecian. The belly noteth the beginning and greatnesse of this kingdom; under Alexander the first King. The joynts between the belly and thighs, note the plucking up of this kingdom after Alexanders death, to be divided into four, whereof the principal were two, the one of the Seleucidae, the other of the Lagidae, figured here by the two thighs of Brasse. See Chap. 11.4, 5.

The fourth Metal of Iron, constituting the leggs, feet and toes, signifieth the fourth, which is the Romane king­dom. The two leggs do note the division of the king­dom into the Empire of the East, and the Empire of the [Page 6]West, first begun by Anthony and Augustus Caesar, after­ward established by Constantine, anno 330, and again more perfectly by Theodosius, anno 395.

At the ancles there is a joynt dividing between the leggs and feet, to note the intercision of the Empire by the Northern Barbarians. By these the Romane Empire was dissolved and broken into ten kingdoms, here signi­fied by the ten toes. They began effectually to invade the Empire after Constantine the Great, and ceased not until they had disjoynted it into ten parts: which came to passe upon the death of Valentinian the third, about the yeer 455. Clav. A­poc. on Rev. 8. The ten parts are thus reckoned by a learned Author; Britons, Saxons, Franks, Burgundions, Wisigothes, Sueves and Alans, Vandals, Alemans, Ostrogothes, Greeks. But it may be also probably said, that the Kings dividing the Romane Empire after Constantine the Great, are called Ten onely in relation to the primitive division of the Empire, under Augustus Caesar, at which time it was exactly divided into ten parts, Strabo Geogra. in fine. as Strabo expresseth. Thus Saracens, Turks, or any other dividing the Empire, may be comprehend­ed under the name of the ten horns, though they be not exactly ten in present existence.

Of these feet and toes, or ten kingdoms in the divided Empire, three things are proposed.

First, that hereby the Romane Empire should be divi­ded, Vers. 41, in these words:— And whereas thou samest the feet and toes part of Potters Clay and part of Iron, the king­dom shall be divided.

Secondly, that some of these kingdoms should be weak and transient, some of them strong and permanent. This is expressed, Vers. 41, 42, in these words: But there shall be in it of the strength of the Iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the Iron mixt with miry Clay: And as the toes of the feet were part of Iron and part of Clay; so the kingdom shall be partly strong and [Page 7]partly brittle. The Gothes and Vandals, and divers others, proved brittle, quickly dissolved; but the Irony strength appeared in the Franks, by whom the Empire was resto­red in the Image of its former glory. But after Charles the Great, this Empire also was in divisions, and the parts continued in the Title of the ten horns, in relation to the division which was at first.

Thirdly, it is said of them, that they should mingle themselves with the seed of men; that is, endeavour a­gain by Marriages to unite the divisions; but yet the kingdoms should not be united, but continue in distincti­on, as Iron cannot be mixed with Clay, Vers. 43. And of the truth of this attribute, we have had frequent experi­ence in these later times.

The destruction of this Empire by the stone, Vers. 34, 45.

THe stone doth signifie the Saints, Vers. 44. with Chap. 7.22, 26. It is cut out of a great mountain, which is the Romane Empire, bearing rule before upon the earth, the Dominions of Antichrist, Vers. 35, 45. From hence the Saints are cut out, by professed separation and victorious exemption. They are thus cut out without hands, that is, by the onely power and finger of Almighty God, as it is interpreted, Vers. 44, 45. Thus they began to be cut out, anno 1160, in the Waldenses, and continue so unto this day: And the extraordinary hand of God was seen therein, as the strange arising, growth, prevailing of them doth ma­nifestly declare. But their absolute cutting out and ex­emption from the power of Antichrist, is that which is to be expected at the term of the slaughter of the two Pro­phets: when their rising by the power alone of God Al­mighty, without the help of man, is thus described, Revel. [Page 8]11.11. And after three days and an half, the spirit of life from God entred into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them that saw them: and they ascended up to heaven in a cloud, &c.

And so this stone, or kingdom of the Saints, shall be set up even in the days of those Kings, Vers. 44; that is, of Antichrist and the ten horns signified by the feet and ten toes: which it striking, shall dash in pieces, and they shall be no more, Vers. 35. Then this stone, or kingdom of the Saints, having been set up immediately after the three days and half, now upon the destruction of Antichrist his Kingdom, shall become agreat mountain, and fill the whole earth, Vers. 35, 44. A great mountain, that is, the supreme kingdom: filling all the earth, because all domi­nion shall be subject unto it, Chap. 7.14, 27. Ezek. 17.22, 23.

The second Vision or Prophecie, Dan. 7.

The Part Controversal.

AS for the three first Beasts, there is little or no Con­troversie moved about them. I come unto the fourth, described Vers. 7, 8, &c.

Some, by the fourth Beast, understand the Successors after Alexander in the Grecian kingdom, and especially the kingdom of the Seleucidae: and by the little horn, An­tiochus Epiphanes. Graserus hath largely and learnedly op­pugned this opinion; from whom I alleadge against it these Arguments.

First, the kingdom of the Seleucidae belongeth to the third Beast, and is one of the four parts into which the Greeian kingdom was divided after Alexanders death, [Page 9]expresly represented in his four wings and four heads, Vers. 6: the truth of which interpretation will clearly appear, by comparing Chap. 8.8, 22. and 11.4. For the king of Grecia is expresly distinguished from Alexander, as the whole from the part, comprehending both him & the quadrupartite division among his Successors, Chap. 8.21, 22. Therefore both he and the Seleucidae, with other his Successors, are included in the third Beast, and cannot be extended to the fourth.

Secondly, because these four Beasts arose successively to subdue the world, Vers. 2, 3. But the Seleucidae and o­ther successors of Alexander, succeeded into it already subdued by him.

Thirdly, the Preface prefixed to the fourth Beast: — Afterward I saw in the Visions by night, and behold. The pro­posing of him without a name, as an unknown and strange Monster; the sollicitous and curious enquiry of Daniel concerning him, Vers. 19; the bestowing of a far larger and more accurate description upon him then upon the former Beasts, do plainly argue, that the fourth kingdom here signified, is far more great and wonderful then any of the former, and therefore cannot be the kingdom of the Seleucidae.

Fourthly, the fourth Beast is said to be dreadful, and terrible, and very strong, in comparison with the Beasts going before; having Iron teeth and Brazen nails, devou­ring and breaking in pieces, and stamping the residue un­der feet. But the kingdom of the Seleucidae was weaker then that of Alexander, as it is expresly said, Chap. 8.22, and did not devour and destroy so as the former king­doms, as entring upon a world subdued already by Alexan­der the Great; therefore the fourth kingdom cannot be the kingdom of the Seleucidae. Thou wilt say, The fourth kingdom is thus expressed, not in relation to the world [Page 10]or state general, but to the Jewish Church, unto which it was more terrible and stronger then the former. But it is manifest, that the Iron strength is the character of this kingdom distinguishing it in a general and unlimited com­parison with the kingdoms going before. To exert in some one particular place, such as Judea, more cruelty, by reason of the weaknesse of the people, and not by reason of his own absolute strength; is not a sufficient reason that he should be characterized and distinguished from the others by the character of strength and fear fulnesse: No more verily then the Spanish Inquisition, or Phalaris, or some other Tyrant, may be superlatively compared in strength with Cyrus, Alexander, Julius Caesar, because more cruel and formidable then they, in respect of some weak and not-resisting persons, over whom, without exertion of much strength, they might easily exercise their tyran­nie. Again, their strength was not so much terrible to the Jews as Nebuchad-nezzar or Haman were. And the Jews against the Seleucidae, would have vindicated them­selves into liberty, and had defended themselves suffici­ently, had not the Romanes come upon them, and broken them down at last, and the Seleucidae together. Lastly, it is expresly said, that the fourth kingdom is thus strong, irony and terrible, not onely in relation to the Jews, but also to the whole earth. For it is said, that it should devour the whole earth, and tread it down, and break it in pieces, Vers. 23. And Chap. 2.40, it is expresly said to be of Iron, because it shall bruise and break in pieces all the former kingdoms. And how shall this be verified of the Seleucidae?

Fifthly, this Beast is said to be unlike to the Beasts that were before it; whereas the kingdom of the Seleucidae was like other kingdoms. Some say it was unlike in re­spect of the ten horns. But these (as they will have it) are ten succeeding Kings; which in kinde and nature is [Page 11]ordinary to all kingdoms. They say it is extraordinary in this respect, because some of the Egyptian Kings are mixed in the number. But what ground of such a mixture? Because (say they) they are described, Chap. 11, where­as there is no mention of ten horns, Chap. 11; the number there not adaequately ten: no reason to extrude some, to intrude others, but rather contrary to reason, as Graserus sheweth.

Sixthly, the fourth Beast hath ten horns, and a little horn arising after them, by whom three of the former were rooted out, Vers. 7, 8. How will this agree to the kingdom of the Seleucidae? They say they are ten suc­ceeding Kings, whereof Antiochus Epiphanes is the tenth and last, and the same the little horn. But if onely by succession, then really in all particular differences of time, it had but one horn, and so the kingdom might ra­ther be said to have one horn then ten. 2. These ten horns here described, existed at the same time, not by suc­cession, because the little horn arose among them, Vers 8, and his look was more stout then his fellows, Verse 20.3. How can Antiochus Epiphanes be both the little horn, and also the last of the ten, seeing the little horn is said to arise besides and after them? Vers. 8, 20, 24. 4. Anti­ochus cannot be the little horn, because the little horn ari­sing, groweth greater and greater, and more stately then the other horns, Verse 8, 20, whereas Antiochus was not so great as his father Antiochus Magnus. 5. What are the three horns, and how did they fall before Antiochus? Vers. 8. It is said that they are Ptolaemcus Philopater King of Egypt, Seleucus the brother of Antiochus, and Demetrius. But was Seleucaes rooted out, because he died by slowe and lin­gring hatred? And how can Demetrius be one of the three, which was not reckoned by the authors of this opinion a­mong the ten? Vers. 8. Lastly, by the fall of the three, [Page 12]the little horn grew greater then the rest, whereas no­thing was added to Antiochus beside the ancient kingdom of the Seleucidae. 6. The little horn is to rage against the Saints a time, two times, and an half. How will this agree unto Antiochus? Because (say they) the Temple was profaned by Antiochus three yeers and ten days But here it is half a time, or half a yeer, as also it appeareth by comparing Chap. 12.7. Apoc. 12.14. 7. The Beast falleth in the de­struction of the little horn, Vers. 11. But the kingdom of the Seleucida did not fall in Antiochus Epiphanes.

Seventhly, this fourth kingdom is extended until the last Judgement by fire, Vers. 9, and the opening of the books, Vers. 10. with 2 Thess. 2.8. Apoc. 19.20. By com­paring of which places, it is clear that these expressions cannot be understood of the torments and death of Anti­ochus, but of the last Judgement.

Eightly, it is extended until the coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven, Vers. 13, 14, which is his second coming, Apoc. 1.7. Matth. 24.30. and 26.64. For it is not said that he ascended in the clouds, but that he came, Vers. 13.

Ninthly, it is extended to the time when all the king­doms of the earth shall be the Lords and his Christs, Vers. 14. with Apoc, 11.15; and when the kingdom shall be giv­en to the Saints of the most High, all hostile forces utterly suppressed, Vers. 14, 26. Chap. 2.44. Apoc. 11.17, 18. And how can this be verified in the kingdom of the Seleucidae?

And upon these grounds I conclude with Graserus, that the fourth kingdom here spoken of, is not the kingdom of the Seleucidae. Now the third Beast being the Greek king­dom, what should the fourth be but the kingdom follow­ing, which is the Romane kingdom? which I also prove by these Arguments.

1. First, because after Alexander and the division of his [Page 13]kingdom into four parts in his Successors, proposed in the description of the former Beast, the Romane kingdom did immediately follow.

2. Because one badge of this Beast is the ten horns, which is attributed to the Romane kingdom, Apoc. 12.3. and 13.1, 2. and 17.9, 10.

3. Because the Monarchy signified by the fourth Beast, continueth to the last Judgement, Verse 9, 10, with Apoc. 20.11, and to the destruction of the Beast and Dragon at the time of the end, Verse 11, with Apoc. 13.6. and 19.20. and 20.10, and to the coming of Christ the second time in the clouds of heaven, Verse 13, with Apoc. 1.7. and to the rising of New Jerusalem, the kingdom of the Saints, Vers. 14, 26, with Apoc. 11.15.

4. Because the same space and form of duration is attributed to the little horn as to Antichrist of the Ro­mane kingdom, Verse 25, with Apoc. 12.14; therefore the little horn is Antichrist, and the fourth Beast the Romane kingdom. I adde, that the characters of the little horn and of Antichrist are the same, as may appear, by compa­ring Verse 25, 8, with Apoc. 13.5, 6. Now Antichrist ari­sing in the Romane kingdom, if the little horn arising be Antichrist, then the Beast wherein he riseth, is the Ro­mane kingdom.

5. Because in all other partieulars the description of the fourth Beast agreeth to the Romane kingdom, as may appear in the partioular Exposition.

The Opinion of Graserus is examined.

LEarned Graserus, by most of all the foresaid Argu­ments, most learnedly and satisfactorily oppugneth the Opinion of Junius and his followers; who hold the fourth Beast to be the kingdom of the Seleusidae, and the little [Page 14]horn Antiochus Epiphanes. As for Graserus his own judge­ment, he holdeth that the fourth Beast is the Romane Empire; but the little horn upon which the greatest part of this Prophecie and Vision is spent, he holdeth to be Mabomet, in the special Accommodation.

First (saith he) Because this little horn groweth up with an aspectable or discernable encrease; which agree­eth not unto Antichrist, but to Mahomet. Answ. It is evident that his rising is described as hardly and difficultly discernable, because Daniel is brought in curiously pry­ing and considering, before he perceiveth or spieth him, Vers. 8, which agreeth not to Mahomet, but Antichrist.

Secondly (saith he) the little horn doth not arise out of the Beasts body, but without it: and is here proposed, not because it arose from the Romane Empire, but be­cause he made assault against it, there fixed his Seat, and emulated his disposition. Answ. What more plain, then that it arose out of the Beast, forasmuch as it arose a­mong the ten horns, which were the horns of the Beast? And where should this little horn be presented unto Dani­el, unlesse in the Beast before him?

Thirdly (saith he) because the Antichrist or Pope of Rome doth gather, See more in the Ex­plication. make up, and repair the horns of the Romane Empire: but this little horn rooteth out and subdueth three of them; and therefore he is rather Maho­met. Answ. The three horns are three Provinces of the Romane Empire, as Chap. 8.21, and three adverse and hostile Kings therein; which Antichrist subduing, esta­blished his own horns. I finde no other Argument of moment. But now I will also shew my reasons why the little horn is onely Antichrist, and not Ma [...] ­mit.

That the litte Horn is Antichrist.

1. BY the ruine or destruction of this little horn, the fourth Beast, or Romane kingdom, is said utterly and finally to fall, Vers. 11: whereas by the fall of Maho­met it would rather be established: Therefore he is not Mahomet, but the Antichrist of Rome.

2. The destroying of the Beast and little horn, by giv­ing them up to the burning fire, is described in such forms as are in the Revelation interpreted of Antichrist, Vers. 9, 10, 11, with Revel. 19.20. and 20.10, 11. Dan. 7.13, 14, with 2 Thess. 2.8.

3. This little horn is conjoyned with the ten horns, Vers. 7, 8, 20, 24, accordingly as Antichrist is conjoyned with them, Revel. 13 and 17.

4. The characters attributed to him, are the same which are attributed unto Antichrist. As, 1. That he shall speak great things with a presumptuous mouth against the most High, Vers. 8, 25, with Revel. 13.5, 6. 2. That he advan­ceth himself above the Civil Magistrate, Vers. 20, with 2 Thess. 2.4. 3. That he changeth Laws and Times, Vers. 25. with 2 Thess. 2.3, 4. 4. That he maketh War with the Saints, prevaileth against them, Chap. 7.21, 25. with Revel. 13.7.

5. The time, two times, and a half, determined for the space and duration of the little horn, will not agree to Mahomet: and it is the space expresly and in propriety determined upon Antichrist, Dan. 7.25. with Revel. 12.6, 14. and 13.5, 6. Wherefore I conclude, The fourth Beast is the Romane kingdom, and not the kingdom of the Se­leucidae: and the little horn, neither Antiochus, neither Mahomet; but onely Antichrist, or the Pope of. Rome.

Of the three horns which the little horn is said to overthrow, Chap. 7.8, 24.

1. IUnius and his followers, affirming the little ho [...] to be Antiochus Epiphanes, say, that the three horns are Ptolomey, Seleucus, and Demetrius. This opinion hath been impugned before.

2. Others holding the little horn to be Mahomet, say, that the three horns are Syria, Egypt, and Africa, which were subdued by the Saracens. But this opinion also hath been impugned in part before, where it hath been shew­ed, that the little horn is the Pope of Rome, and not Ma­homet, and therefore the foresaid Countreys cannot be the three horns, subdued by his people, which are the Saracens. I adde, that the Countreys subdued by Mahomet and his followers, were not onely three, but many more; as Ara­bia, Judea, Philistia, and the Countreys adjacent; Syria, part of Asia the lesse, Egypt, Numidia, Barbary, Spain, &c. and therefore cannot be precisely signified by three horns.

3. Others understanding by the little horn the Hea­then Emperours of Rome, affirm that the three horns plucked up by them, is the liberty of chusing Deputies, and the Government of certain Countreys, which Augu­stus took from the Senate. But the Heathen Emperours arose in great height at first, and therefore could not be a little horn. And as for the three horns, it is unreasona­ble to think that the power of chusing Deputies is a horn, or can aptly concur to the making of three: And as for the Countreys the Government whereof Augustus took from the Senate to himself, they were not subdued or plucked up by the roots, as there it is said; and besides, they were not three, but ten, as Strabo writeth, Geog. circ. fin.

[Page 17] 4. Others affirming the little horn to be Antichrist, say that the three horns are the Greeks, Longobards, and Franks, which were subdued by the Pope of Rome successively. But I object, that the Greeks and Longobards were not pro­perly subdued by him; he had not yet attained to the power of decreeing and making War, but onely by in­treaty he petitioned the help of Kings, by whom they were subdued. 2. The three horns are expresly fixed, partly in Judea, and partly in the South and East, in the way and passage thereunto, Chap. 8.9, 10; and therefore cannot be the Greeks, Franks, and Longobards.

5. I think, for my own part, that these three horns are the three Mahumetan Kings, one in Asia, the other in Syria, the third in Judea, which were subdued by the Pope and his Western Armies, about the yeer 1099. First, because about this time the Pope began to decree and make War himself, and not before. 2. This was one of the greatest acts that Antichrist ever did; and therefore fit to be a character of him. 3. These Kings were precisely three, and properly subdued by him. 4. They are properly in Judea, and the South, and East, in the passage thereunto, Chap. 8.9. 5. These were subdued immediately before the War against the Saints, as it followeth in the Prophe­cie, Chap. 7 and 8. 6. The parallels will shew the same, Chap. 7.8. and 8.9. and 11.22, 25.

The second Vision or Prophecie, Dan. 7.
The second Part, containing the Explication.

FIrst, the general confusion and unsetling of the world by Wars, is signified by the striving of the four windes upon the great Sea, Vers. 2. See Apoc. 13.1.

[Page 18] Secondly, after these tumultuous Commotions by War, the Conquest or general Victory falling at last to one, four kindes of Monarchies successively arise. They arise out of the Sea upon the earth, Vers. 3. as Apoc. 1.31. that is, out of an unsetled State in warlike confusions, re­presented by a Sea tossed with windes, into a peaceable and fetled Regiment and Monarchy, represented by the earth, Apoc. 13.11.

Thirdly, the first Beast, a Lion, reprefenteth the Bab [...] ­lonian Monarchy. The Beast like a Lion for strength, hath also Eagles wings, in respect of exaltation above men, [...]er. 48.40 Ezek. [...]7.3. and victorious celerity in Atchievements, Obad. v. 4. 2 Sam. 1.23. Jer. 4.13. His wings are pluckt; that is, he is deprived of Imperial eminency, whereby he was lift up above men; of his wealth and Dominions; as it came to passe by Darius the Mede, and Cyrus of Persia. He is made to stand upon his feet, as a man; that is, brought down to the common rank of men. And a mans heart is given him; that is, lowe and common spirits; not imperious and irresistible, as before.

Fourthly, the second Beast, a Bear, representeth the Persian Monarchy, in respect of ravenous cruelty. It raised up one Dominion, enduring no Mates in the Em­pire, but subduing, first the Medes, then the Babylonians, and uniting all in one Government. It hath three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. By their teeth beasts do make their Conquests. The three ribs between them, are the three parts conquered by the Persian Monarch, in that he pushed Westward, Northward, Southward, Chap. 8.4. His great and large Victories joyned with much cruelty, slaughter, and spoil, are signified by those words said unto him; Arise, and devour much flesh, Vers. 5.

Fifthly, the third Beast, a Leopard, representeth the Grecian Monarchy, in respect of subtilty, rapidity and [Page 19]celerity, Jer. 5.6. Hab. 1.8. Dan. 8.5. This kingdom set up by Alexander the Great, was after his death divided into four kingdoms, signified here by the four wings, whereby it was exalted above men; whereof were four Kings, signified here by four heads. See Chap. 8.8. and 11.4. Apoc. 12.14.

The fourth Beast, representing the Romane Empire, Vers. 7.

THe Empire that next succeeded after the Grecian, was the Romane; and accordingly it is signified by the next, which is the fourth Beast. Concerning which, observe these Particulars.

First, the admirable condition of the fourth Beast, in comparison to the former, is marked out by a Preface larger then ordinary: After this, I saw i [...] the Visions by night, and behold.

Secondly, it is proposed as a strange and unknown mon­ster without a name, in these words, A fourth Beast. The reason is, because of the dissimilitude of the Romane Em­pire to all precedent kingdoms, and the strange variety of the forms thereof, as it is expressed afterwards. And be­sides, it hath a composition and concurrence in it self of all the properties of the former Beasts; being likened to the Babylonian Lion, to the Persian Bear, and to the Gre­cian Leopard, Revel. 13.1, 2.

Thirdly, it is suid to be dreadful and terrible; which noteth the ability and readinesse of this Empire to annoy with great evils: for a ready power of hurting greatly, is the ground of dread and terrour.

Fourthly, it is strong exceedingly: for the Romane Empire hath been strong as Iron, in comparison of all other kingdoms, breaking and bruising them all, Chap. [Page 20]2.40, and devouring the whole earth, Chap. 7.23.

Fifthly, it hath great Iron teeth; which signifie the con­quering Captains, such as Scipio, Pompey, and Caesar, strong, irresistible as Iron, in comparison of all before. And for the same cause, the Romane Empire is represented by Iron leggs, Chap. 2.40.

Sixthly, Gras. de Antic. it hath nails of Brasse, Vers. 19. A Beast maketh his assault for victory with his his teeth; and after victory, useth his claws to tear. Therefore as the teeth are the Captains making Conquests; so the nails are the Romane Senate and Provincial Magistrates; these being of Brasse, as the other were of Iron, because somewhat milder then the Captains.

Seventhly, the actions of both teeth and nails are set down in the next words. Of the teeth thus: It devoured and brake in pieces. Of the feet and nails thus: It stamped the residue with the feet thereof. Thus the Romane Empire by its Captains devoured the weaker, brake in pieces the stronger; and by its Magistrates stamped the residue un­der feet; handled and tare at pleasure the conquered, crowing and insulting after Conquests.

Eighthly, the extent of Victory is added, Vers. 23, that it shall devour the whole earth; that is, a great part there­of, even from the River Euphrates into Great Britanny. See Luke 2.1.

Ninthly, It is added, that it was unlike to, diverse from the Beasts that were before it. This is said both in respect of present state, and also in respect of multiplicity of forms successive therein. For, to use the words of Grase­rus, it endeavoured to fit and frame the Forms of all other kingdoms to it self, but altered. And in respect of di­versity and strange multiplicity of Forms of Government, it is represented Apoc. 12.3. and 13.1. and 17, by seven heads, and an eighth, and ten horns. The Governments [Page 21]were of Kings, Consuls, Tribunes, Decemviti, Dictators, Romane Emperours, Popes, with the ten Kings.

The alteration of the Romane Empire by the ten horns and Antichrist.

FOr about Four hundred yeers, the Romane Emperors continued in their Majestie, even until the end of Con­stantine the Great; and then began effectually to be broken down, and to be dissolved into ten kingdoms. This is that state of change which is expressed in the end of vers. 7, in these words: And it had ten horns. More distinctly, vers. 24: And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise, and another shall arise after them. Now the Empire be­ginning to be effectually dissolved at the foresaid time, stayed not in falling by degrees, until about the yeer 456 it appeared broken into ten parts, as a learned Author hath shewed on Apoc. 8. The kingdom of the Britons, of the Saxons, both in Britanny; of the Franks, of the Burgun­dians, in France: of the Westgothes, in the Southern part of France, and part of Spain: of the Sueves and Alanes, in part of Spain: of the Vandals, in Africa; a little before, in Spain: of the Alemans, in Rhaetia and Noricum, Provinces of Germany: of the Eastgothes, in Pannonia; a little after, in Italy: of the Greeks, in the reninant of the Empire. Though this Decharchical division doth not still continue exactly, yet it is sufficient that it was so at first. And I give instance in the four horns, that are said to come up after Alexanders death, whereby all the Successors in the Grecian kingdom are understood in their divided king­doms, although the Quadripartision was onely at first, and lasted not above Three and twenty yeers. So the Turks are signified by four Angels, because their division [Page 22]was quadripartite at first, on this side Euphrates, Apos. 9.14. But the several Kings dividing the Empire, though they were in no difference of time exactly ten, yet may be call­ed ten in relation to the first Decharchical division there­of under Augustus Caesar; whereof see Strabo in the end of his Geography. And thus whosoever divided the Em­pire, as Saracens, and Turks, &c. may come under the name of the ten horns in general.

The Vision and Prophecie of Antichrist, Vers. 8, &c. An historical Narration of the two Wars of Antichrist.

THere were two notable Wars of Antichrist, which are mentioned in Daniel; his War against the Turks and Saracens, and his War against the Waldensian Witnesses of Truth: the one in the East, the other in the West, both very great as ever any were, both about the same time succeeding one another, both immediately follow­ing the fulnesse and perfection of the Antichristian king­dom in Hildebrand. Both Wars properly the Wars of Antichrist, voluntarily raised upon conscience of his De­cree; and both so like and equal, that the later was of as great weight and difficulty as the former, as Thuanus the Hi­storian doth expresly testifie. The Sultans, and Kings of the Turks and Saracens, about the time of Hildebrand, had made an Inundation over Asia, Syria, and Judea, most cruelly persecuting the Christians there inhabiting. Hildebrand's next Successor save one, Urbanus the second, about the yeer 1095, appointing a Synod of Bishops and Princes at Cl [...]remont, decreed the Expedition against them, for the recovering the holy Land; by the happie successe where­of, those arms of Inundation were overflown again by another Inundation. As for the second War, we may [Page 23]take notice of the greatnesse and moment thereof, and its immediate succession in time, after the War against the Turks. To this end, mark what Thuanus writeth in the Preface of his History. When exquisite punishments could nothing prevail against the Waldenses, but that they en­creased daily, at last compleat Armies were leavied against them, and a War of no lesse weight then that which was waged before against the Saracens, was also decreed against them. And for the immediate succession of this War af­ter the War against the Turks and Saracens, yea, conjuncti­on in time therewith, mark what another writeth. The Pope (saith he) turned the Armies of the Crosse, which had been first appointed against the Saracens, upon his ad­versaries the Waldenses.

A brief Relation of the state, proceedings, and Wars of the Waldenses and Aloingenses, gathered out of the Book intituled The History of the Waldenses and Albingenses.

OBserve first, that the Popes Expeditions against the Turks and Saracens, overflowed them about the yeer 1098: and Sixty two yeers after, that is, in the yeer 1160, the Waldenses arose in France, professing the same Doctrine that we do now, and made an absolute separa­tation from the Church of Rome. The Pope used what means he could to root them out; but the more they were persecuted, the more they multiplied: so that on a sudden they filled that great Tract of Land which [...]eth between the Alps and the Pirenaean mountains. Pope In­nocent the third, perceiving the insufficiency of former Persecutions, called a Synod in the yeer 1204, and there decreed that the Expeditions of the Crosse, which had been appointed against the Turks, should now be turned [Page 24]against the Waldenses: and the Catholikes (saith he) that shall take up the Crosse for rooting them out, let them enjoy the same pardon of their sins which is granted unto them that go against the Turks, for the recovering of the holy Land. For the stirring up of this flame, he sent about his Preachers, who in likelihood carried themselves as a little after, when taking this or such like Texts; Who will rise up with me against the evil doers, and who will stand with me against the workers of iniquity? they were wont to conclude their Sermons in this manner: Ye see now, dearly beloved, how great is the malice of the Hereticks: ye see also how much hurt they do in the world: ye see again how religiously and by how many godly ways the Church laboureth to reclaim them: But these means can do no good with them; nay, they defend themselves by Secular power: And therefore the holy Mother the Church, though unwilling, and with grief, doth call together a Christian Army against them. Whosoever therefore hath the zeal of faith, whosoever there is whom the honour of God doth touch, whosoever there is that will have that great Pardon, let him come and take the Crosse, let him joyn himself to the War of the Crucifix. By these and such like means, P. 2. c. 6. p. 36. a great Army of voluntary Souldiers came together, in the yeer 1209, to the num­ber of Three hundred thousand, besides many other great Levies in the yeer following. At which time, the Earl of Tolouze, the Earl of Besiers, the Earl of Foix, the Earl of Comming, and Prince of Bearne, stood out in defence of the Waldenses against the fury of the Pope. The Popes Agents and Souldiers took their Cities, Towns, and Ca­stles, spoiled and pillaged their Countreys; killed by the Sword, captivated, burned, hanged, and dismembred, with most mercilesse and cruel behaviour: until about the yeer 1213, and so forward, when the Waldenses began to rise again with a little help; fire going forth of their mouthes, and devouring them that hurt them. Neither could [Page 25]the Pope any more by War effectually prevail, until turn­ing to policie and deceit, by flatteries and lying promises he did utterly overflow and break them down. For a­bout the yeer 1228, the old Earles of Tolouze and Foix being dead, Pag. 117 the young Earl of Tolouze was allured by the Abbot of Grandselve, to come to Meaux in France, there to conclude a Peace: fair promises pretended, and assu­rance given of safe return. There, contrary to faith and promise, the Popes Agents did catch the Earl under hatches, enslaved him to the Pope. By the like flattery they took the Earl of Foix. In depth of policie they set upon him by the forced mediation of the deceived Earl of Tolouze, by whom they thought they could most apt­ly and effectually work and accomplish their designes. He accordingly wrote to some of the subjects of the Earl of Foix, who being frighted with the apprehension of their ruine, should intreat their Earl both to have com­passion on himself and subjects, who would doubtlesse be overthrown by this violence: that they shew him that there was an excellent opportunity offered, the onely means to make them live in perfect peace, if they would per­swade him to submission. By the requests and tears of these frighted persons, and the deceitful plots and tricks of the Popes Agents, this Earl was taken also; and deli­vered up, as a gage of his affection, the Castles of Foix, Pag. 130. Montgailard, Montreal, Vicdesos, and Lordat, for the good of the Peace in general, while he yeelded the homage demanded. Thus a Peace and Composition was made by these two Earls, through submission to the Pope; which two props being gone, Pag. 130. the Earl of Comming and Prince of Bearne could not continue. See then, to appearance, the end of the Albingenses, when in the yeer 1234, Trancavel a Bastard-son of the Earl of Besiers, stood up in their de­fence with most prosperous successe. To take him off, [Page 26]the Popes Agents used another politick device: for they cunningly wrought on him by the mediation of the de­ceived Earl of Foix, through great promises and threats of danger, to bring him to some peaceable designe; and their craft successefully prospered in his hand. [...]. 134. And thus were the Waldensian Princes overflown and broken down by Peace and crafty devices, and not by War: and their Churches fell with them. For although the horrible and consuming destruction of the Waldenses, was hotly and eagerly continued by the Monks Inquisitors, Hist. Wald. [...] 1. b. 2. [...]2. p. 9. from the yeer 1206, to the yeer 1228; yet now their Princes being by subtilty thrust under hatches, their destruction did in comparably encrease. For from hence arose that great Persecution by the Monks Inquisitors, [...] 2. b. 2. [...]. 122, 124 who taking this poor people disarmed and forsaken of their Lead­ers, as many as would not forsake their Faith, kindled their fires more then ever, whereby they were utterly rooted out, and the remnant seattered to the Mountains, and over all Europe. This I thought needful to presix, that the Prophecie following might more clearly be un­derstood. Now we proceed in the explication of the Text.

Concerning Antichrist, these Particulars are shewed, Verse 8, &c.

1. THat his rising is among the ten horns, in these words: There came up among them. So that the first rising of Antichrist doth concur with the first rising of the ten horns. And so expresly, Revel. 17.12, they receive power as Kings at one hour with the Beast. And Anti­christ was to be manifested upon the removal of the Ro­mane Empire, 2 Thess. 2.7, 8, which began effectually to [Page 27]be removed by the ten Kings after Constantine the Great: pro­portionately with the fall of the Romane Empire, and the rising of the ten Kings, the rising of Antichrist must con­cur; who therefore began gradually to proceed, together with the irruptions of the Barbarians into his kingdom, and dissipation of the Empire; and in 606 was openly enthroned. But, Dan. 7.24, Antichrist is said to come up after the ten horns. This understand of his open enthro­ning, which began in 606, after the Inundation of the ten Kings: but secretly and hiddenly he arose before, even among them, and together with them, as here it is expressed.

2. He is called Another horn, that is, another beside the ten, and as it is expressed vers. 24, diverse from them: they being Political, he also Ecclesiastical, by usurpation of an independent authority Spiritual.

3. He is called A little horn, because little at first, as onely Primate and Metropolitane of the Churches of Ita­ly, and by little and little encroaching upon the power of the ten Kings, by small and scarce discernable degrees of proceeding. Before the time of Constantine, the Bishop of Rome was onely a poor and mean Minister, therefore called Vile, or of lowe condition, Chap. 11.21; from which weak lowe estate, he cunningly and secretly came up among the ten horns, until he overtopped them.

4. His first arising is intimated to be hidden, obscure and secret, scarce discernable; and therefore he is so re­presented among the horns, that Daniel doth not espie or discover him, but by a prying eye, and a minde curiously considering. Therefore it is said, I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another little horn.

5. It is added, that before him three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. The first War of Antichrist which was waged by him, after he came to the fulnesse of his [Page 28]kingdom. As the Romane Empire fell, so gradually he arose. He was openly enthroned in 606. A temporal Dominion was given him by Pipin, in 755: But his au­thority arose not so high, as generally to overtop and command at pleasure the Kings and Emperours, until the time of Hildebrand, after 1073. Thenceforth he began to decree and make Wars himself, and by Imperial au­thority to command the Kings and Emperours of the West, to go forth as subjects in the Wars decreed by him. And from the foresaid 1073, he had seditiously stirred Wars in Germany: but the great and notable War directly decreed by him, with voluntary and general sub­mission of Kings, Princes, and Emperours, was that which was decreed at Claremont about Two and twenty yeers after, in 1095, against the Turks and Saracens, which here followeth to be described. And in this War it was verified which was here said of Antichrist, that three of the first horns were rooted up before him. For within about three yeers after the foresaid Decree at Claremont, by the yeer 1099, he by his Souldiers of the Crosse root­ed up, subdued, caused to fall (as the phrases run, vers. 8.20, 24) three Kings of the Turks and Saracens: Solyman in Asia, Cassianus in Syria, the Egyptian Caliph in Judea. That these three Kings are meant, I am more then probably convinced, from Chap. 8.9. and 11.29, places exactly parallel, where they are expresly restrained to Judea the pleasant Land, and to the East and South in the way unto it, which must be Syria and Asia, from the Northern horn of Macedonia, as shall be shewed when I come unto the next Chapter. In mean time, observe these phrases arguing the places to be parallel.

1. There came forth a little horn, Chap. 8.9. Behold, there came up another little born, Chap. 7.8.
2. Which waxed great unto the South, and to the East, and to the pleasant land, Chap. 8.9.
Before whom three fell, Chap. 7.8.
3. He shall destroy the holy people, Chap. 8.24. He shall wear out the Saints of the most High, Chap. 7.21, 25.
4. He shall magnifie himself in his heart, Chap. 8.25. He shall speak great things, Chap. 7.8, 25. His look was more stout then his fellows, verse 20.
5. He extolled himself against the Prince of the Host, the Prince of princes, Ch. 8.11, 25. He shall speak words against the most High, Chap. 7.25.
6. By him the daily Sacrifice was taken away, Chap. 8.11. And he shall think to change Times and Laws, Chap, 7.25.

And as it is here said, that three kings were rooted up from before him; so Chap. 11.22, The arms of a stood shall be over­flown from before him: which is to be understood of the Turks and Saracens, as I trust to shew, when I come unto the place. But here a Doubt ariseth, How these three Ma­humetan Kings are called three of the first horns, seeing the ten were numbred without the comprehension of them. Answ. They may not be called formally three of the first horns; that is, as under the form and special kinde of them; but onely materially, as being the same onely in outward figure, and now applied to a new re­presentation. And this is proved by Verse 24, where although in respect of the outward figure and type, he is said to root out three of the first horns; yet when the thing signified cometh to be spoken of, it is onely thus said, that ten horus are ten kings that shall arise; and another shall arise after them, and he shall subdue three Kings. Mark, it is not said, that he shall subdue three of them, or, three of the former Kings, as in the Type; but onely three kings, as if distinguished from the former ten.

[Page 30] But secondly, and more satisfactorily, it may be an­swered, that in a more general sense the ten horns may comprehend any that divided the Empire, such as Turks and Saracens then, as hath been said before. But whereas it may be objected, from Apoc. 17.17, that the ten horns give their kingdoms to the Beast, it is to be understood not of the ten horns in general, but of those onely who ad­hered to the Beast. The Gothes and Vandals and Burgundi­ans are among the ten horns, and yet they survived not to give their kingdoms to the Beast: proportionably we may judge of the Turks and Saracens.

6. And thus far of the first War of Antichrist against the Turks and Saracens. His second War followeth, against the Saints, which is described Verse 22. I beheld, and is, this horn made war with the Saints, and prevailed against them. Vers. 25, He shall wear out the Saints of the most High. Which second War began against the Waldesian Protestants since the yeer 1160, and yet continueth, and must, until the end of the Reign of Antichrist, when the ancient of days shall sit in Judgement, and the kingdom of New Jerusalem shall be set up, Vers. 9.10, 26.

7. He is said to have eyes like the eyes of a man, Verse 8. either in respect of his feigned courtesie and flattering humanity, Chap. 8.25, or in respect of his intolerable pride and arrogancy, Verse 20, with Psal. 12.3, 4, & 18.27; or rather in respect of wisedom and policie, Chap. 8.25, with Zech. 11.17, and the eye of his Philosophical and Scholastical understanding, whereby he is said to see and understand dark mysteries, Chap. 8.23.

8. He is said to have a mouth speaking presumptuous or great things, Verse 8, 25; that is, magisterially to teach and dictate false Doctrines, and such as are of a high nature, against the Person, Offices and Worship of the Sonne of God, Revel. 13.5, 6, and with great insolency and pre­sumption [Page 31]of spirit, Dan. 11.36, and with Scholastical pro­fundities, and an ambitious style of speaking, Dan. 8.23.

9. It is said particularly, that he shall think that he may change Laws and Times. He shall not onely change them, but also think it lawful for him so to do, as supreme Vi­car of Christ on earth. So he shall change Laws, by re­moving the daily Sacrifice, or true Worship, in reading, hear­ing, and teaching of the Truth, in Prayer and Sacra­ments; and by setting up his abominations and Anti­christian Idolatries, Chap. 11.30, 31, and Doctrines of de­vils, Chap. 11.37, 38, 39. Times he changeth, by ordaining superstitious holy days.

10. His look is said to be more stout then his fellows, that is, then the ten horns, Vers. 20, whereby is signified his exaltation of himself above Kings and Princes; whereof see Chap. 11.36, 37.

11. The duration of Antichrist is determined by a time, two times, and a half, Vers. 25; that is, One thousand two hundred and sixty yeers, as it is expounded Revel. 12.6, 14. The rising of Antichrist is to be fixed at the be­ginning of the fall of the Romane Empire, and rising of the ten horns. But of this more fully in another place.

12. And thus much of the description of Antichrist his nature, actions, characters, and duration. Now his Fall and Ruine is described in this manner.

1. Daniel is said to behold till the horns were set up. Set up, not cast down, according to the Original. This is to note that Antichrist continueth his reign and persecu­tion until the setting up of the Thrones of Judgement. So it is more plainly said, Verse 21, 22, 25, 26.

2. The ancient of days did sit. This is God the Judge, called the ancient of days, because he ever lived to take no­tice of, and now infallibly to bring to remembrance [Page 32]all the ancient and long-past villanies of the Man of sin.

3. His garments were white as snow, to note the righte­ousnesse of his Judgements, Will and Actions. So his Throne is white for the same end, Revel. 20.11, 12.

4. The hair of his head is like the pure wool, to note the righ­teousnesse of his Counsels and Decrees.

5. His throne is like a fiery flame, and his wheels like burning fire, to note his speed and wrath in coming unto Judge­ment.

6. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him, to note the issue and execution of his Judgement, beginning in temporal consumptions, ending in eternal burnings.

7. A thousand thousands ministred unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; to note the assistance of his Saints and Angels numberlesse, in the sentence and execution of the last Judgement, 1 Cor. 6.2, 3.

8. The Judgement was set, and the Books opened. It is set for the destroying of the fourth Beast, the Romane Empire, and Antichrist, after the time, two times, and a half; begin­ning in temporal destruction, finished in eternal, and compleated universally in the Resurrection, at the end of Fourty and sive yeers, Chap. 12.11, 12. The Judgement must be set, to destroy great Babylon unto the end, Vers. 26; that is, unto end of the said yeers, and to the full end and destruction of all the reliques and remainders of Babylon Spiritual. And the Books are opened, to signifie an open discovery of all the works of Antichrist and his followers, that they may be proportionably rewarded.

9. Daniel is said to behold them upon the setting up of the thrones of Judgement, and again, to behold till the Beast was slain: to note, that although the deadly blowe is given unto Antichrist at the first erecting of the Thrones of Judgement; yet the destruction of his kingdom is gra­dually [Page 33]to be brought unto perfection, as in Fourty five yeers before expressed.

10. The destruction of Antichrist is declared in three degrees. 1. The Beast is slain. The Beast is the Romane Empire, subsisting under Antichrist and his horns: and it is slain, to note the deadly blowe given thereunto at the beginning of the Judgement, in the battel of Gog and Magog. whereof read Ezek. 38. Revel. 20.8. 2. His body is destroyed. This is the second degree, noting the gra­dual destruction of great Babylon, the Body and Kingdom of the Beast, partly by intestine slaughter, partly by the parts falling off and oppressing her under the Standard of the Witnesses of Truth, Ezek. 39.1, 2, 3. Revel. 17. The third and last degree is thus expressed: And his body was gi­ven to the burning fire, which noteth the full end and absolute consumption of all the relikes of the kingdom by the end of the Fourty five yeers. Compare Verse 26 with Revel. 19.20. and 20.14.

11. As concerning the rest of the Beasts, it is said, that they also had their dominion taken away, and that their lives were prolonged onely for a season and a time, Vers. 12. The meaning seemeth to be, that not onely the Romane kingdom, but all the rest before expressed, after the man­ner thus described, passed away: forasmuch as they all were temporary, and appointed of God to continue one­ly for a time and season, the kingdom of the Saints onely eternal; concerning which in the next words.

1. Daniel beholdeth this in night-Visions, because while the dark night of Calamity covereth the Antichri­stian world, the light ariseth on new Jerusalem, Isai. 60.1, 2. and 21.12. Dan. 12.1.

2. One like the Son of man [...] in the clonds of heaven. The Son of man is Christ the Head, including also his Bo­dy the Church, as appeareth by the interpretation. Vers. [Page 34]26, He is said to come; and this is his second coming, in a large sense, comprehending his coming to bear rule on earth, by setting up his Kingdom, breaking down the enemy, and this the space of Fourty five yeers: and then his visible appearing at the Resurrection immediately en­suing, to finish his new Jerusalem begun, in heavenly per­fection. And in this large description his second Com­ing is usually taken in the Prophets. He is said to come in the clouds of heaven; that is, on high, above the glory and power of the kingdoms of the earth, in the super­eminent majestie of his Kingdom, Revel. 11.12. Isa. 52.13. Matth. 24.30.

3. He is said to come to the Ancient of days; that is, as Me­diator, to obtain the kingdom for his Saints, removed from the enemy. So the Lamb is said to approach to him that sate upon the Throne, to receive the Book: notwithstand­ing he that sitteth on the Throne, is also Christ as God, Revel. 5.7.

4. It is added, that they brought him neer before him. Until better light may shine, I cannot but conjecture that they do signifie the Saints. These bring Christ neer to the Ancient of days by the importunity of prayers, for the obtaining of the Kingdom, and removal of it from the Beast.

5. Hereupon, dominion is given unto him, and glory. To him, that is, to Christ and to his Saints, Vers. 26, 27. This kingdom beginneth with the beginning of the fall of Antichrist, and with the setting up of the Thrones of Judgement, as appeareth Vers. 21, 22, 26, 27, and is ab­solved in heavenly perfection, at the Resurrection imme­diately ensuing.

6, The greatnesse of his kingdom is signified in these words, that all people, nations and languages should serve him. Hereby is signified the Universal Conversion of the [Page 35]remnant of the earth, who at the fall of Antichrist shall be subject to Christ and his Ordinances, in the hand of his holy people, the Witnesses of Truth: for which cause they are also said to be subject to them, Verse 26, 27. Isai. 60.10, 12. All that shall withdraw their necks from such subjection, shall be destroyed. Dan. 12.12. And this is the first state or rising of new Jerusalem, the space of Fourty five yeers, before its compleating in the Resurrection: which state is especially described by all the Prophets, as also the first states of all other changes, as of the Greeks in four horns, Dan. 8; of the ten horns, Chap. 7; of the Turk­ish four Angels, Rev. 9; of the Waldensian professors; all which states are specially described, as being the original of the changes.

7. The Duration of the kingdom is signified in the next words: His deminion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not passe away, and his kingdom that which shall not be de­stroyed.

The third Vision or Prophecie of Daniel, Chap. 8.

The Controversal Part.

ABout the precedent Beasts and horns described in the Vision, there is no Controversie; and therefore I descend unto the little horn, which hath been hitherto (for ought I know) according to the letter expounded of Antiochus Epiphanes. But that it is not so to be expounded, I prove by these Arguments.

1. The little horn that magnified himself unto the South, and East, and pleasant Land, is by parallel compa­rison the same little horn that rooted out the three, Chap. 7.8. Now that little horn (as it is most evident) [Page 36]is Antichrist or the Pope of Rome, belonging to the Ro­mane kingdom; and therefore cannot be Antiochus.

2. This little horn ariseth when the transgressors shall come to the full, and in the end of the Grecian Empire, Chap. 8.23; whereas Antiochus was in the midst, and far from the time of the great and full degree of the trans­gressors.

3. The horn here spoken of, is in respect of his begin­nings called a little horn: whereas Antiochus was not so lowe at first, as to be called a little horn. For (to use the words of judicious Graserus de Antich. p. 76.) Antiochus, in respect of his Parentage, and Condition of Fortune which he had thereby, was so great, even from his Infancy, that then in the world known unto us, there was scarce another to be compared with him; being the undoubted son of Antio­chus the great, and after Seleucus Philopater his elder brother, right Heir of the kingdoms of Asia, Babylon, and Syria.

4. Because this horn is said to wax very great, in com­parison of the former horns, Verse. 9: whereas Antiochus (although he was great from his beginning) yet did not attain unto a condition greater then his fathers. Con­cerning which let the words of Graserus be observed, pro­ceeding in the place before alleadged. He never had full possession of the whole kingdom of his father Antiochus the great, which he possessed before the Romane War: the sinews of War also failed him not once. And as for that which Junius alleadgeth concerning his taking of E­gypt; if that were true, yet it would little help his cause, seeing it is manifest that his father Antiochus did not lesse exploits against Egypt. Indeed Antiochus Epiphanes did the second time invade Egypt; but with such a successe; that he got more dishonour then honour thereby. Neither in other Wars was he so happie and fortunate, that therein he might be so far preferred above his Ancestors. In sum, [Page 37] Antiochus Epiphanes had little or nothing more then the meaner sort of the Kings of Syria. Thus far Graserus.

5. How did Antiochus Epiphanes so excellently magnifie himself unto the South, and to the East, and to the plea­sant Land? How unto the East; forasmuch as he was ignominiously put to flight and expelled out of Persia in the East, by the Citizens of Elemais? How against the South; seeing in both his Expeditions against Egypt, Noutler. Cron. he was at last shamefully repulfed: the first time, by the Ca­ptains of Ptolomaeus; the second time, by the Ambassa­dour Popilius? And how unto the pleasant Land; foras­much as after his Intestine cruelty on the Jews, his Princes and Armies were in Judea overthrown and put to flight by the Jews and their Captain Judas Maccabaus?

6. The acts of this little horn are extended to the time of the end, Vers. 17, and of the last wrath, Vers. 19; whereas Antiochus Epiphanes died long before the Birth of Christ.

7. In the judgement of a learned Author, the Two thousand three hundred days mentioned Vers. 14, are un­appliable to Antiochus Epiphanes. And Pererius sheweth out of the first Book of Maccabees, that Antiochus his Persecutions began in the yeer of the Grecian kingdom 143, and ended in the yeer 148, 1 Mac. 1.21.22. and 4.41, 52. Perer. in Dan. pag. 509, 510. which could not be longer then six full yeers; and therefore it cannot fill up exactly the measure of Two thousand three hundred days, which space containeth six yeers, three months, and twenty days. For the three moneths and twenty days would o­verabound. Pererius, to salve this difficulty, saith, that the yeers Two thousand three hundred may be extended to the death of Antiochus, which was in the next yeer fol­lowing. But according to the words of Daniel, and the drift of the interpretation of the authors of this opinion, the foresaid yeers Two thousand three hundred must not [Page 38]end in the death of Antiochus (although if they should, yet the difficulty of exact accommodation would still re­main) but in the cessation of persecution and calamity of the Church, and in the purgation of the Sanctuary, Vers. 13, 14; which being referred to the Jews in the time of Antiochus, came to passe exactly in the yeer of the Greek Empire One hundred fourty eight, as hath been said, and cannot be extended to the yeer following.

Having shewed that this little horn is not Antiochus E­piphanes, now I will adde a few Arguments to prove that it is Antichrist or the Pope of Rome.

First, because it is described in a parallel description with the little horn, Chap. 7.8, which must of necessity be Antichrist, as hath been proved.

Secondly, because it is a general and constant Apostacie, and in the time of the end, which is said under this little horn to come to passe, Vers. 12.17, 19, 26. Adde to this, that it is described with phrases attributed to Antichrist elsewhere, as Vers. 24, with Ch. 11, 36. and 8.11.12; there­fore it is the Antichristian Apostacie, and the little horn under whom it is, Antichrist.

Thirdly, the description of the little horn is parallel with the description of the vile person, Chap. 11.21, whom we have shewed to be Antichrist. Compare Chap. 8.9, with Chap. 11.21, 22. and 8.17, 19, with 11.35. and 8.9, 10, 24, 25, with 11.23, 24, 25, 33, 34. and 8.11, 12, with 11.31. 32.

Fourthly, because the Apostacie under this little horn, is called [...], Vers. 12, transgression; and in the next verse, where it is asked how long the said transgression should last, it is called [...], The transgression making deso­late; which is the same with [...] or [...], Chap. 11.31, and 12.11, The abomination making desolate, which is manifestly to be understood of the Antichristian [Page 39]abomination; and therefore the little horn is Antichrist, under whom it is.

Fifthly, the little horn is here interpreted in such a description as is not agreeable to any other, but unto Anti­christ; as that he is joyned with fulnesse of the Trans­gression or Apostasie, verse 23, and that he worketh rather by policie and craft, then by strength; and by peace mar­vellously destroying the holy people, Verse 24, 25. Last­ly, all the other parts of the description will most propor­tionately and most congruously agree unto Antichrist, as may be seen in the Exposition.

The third Vision or Prophecie of Daniel, Chap. 8.
The second Part, containing the Exposition.

THe Ram heavie loaden with Wool, and fleshy, doth signifie the Persian Monarchy, Verse 3, 20, represented by a Silver brest and arms, Chap. 2.32, in respect of riches, wherewith being loaden and made slowe, at length it be­came a spoil to the kingdom following. It is said that this Persian Ram had two horns, which were high; it is signified by two arms, Chap. 2.32, which are the two first, proper and principal kingdoms of the Empire, the one of the Medes, the other of the Persians, Chap. 8.20. It is ad­ded, that one of the horns was higher then the other, and the higher came up last. For Cyrus of the Persians came up after Darius of the Medes; and being higher then he, united the Dominions of both into one entire Monarchy; so of two, it raised up one Dominion, Chap. 7.5. This Persian Monarch is said to push Westward, Northward, and Southward, Vers. 4. Southward, unto Egypt, Ethio­pia, and Lybia: Northward, to the Pontick Nations: [Page 40]Westward, unto Hellespont, and the Isles of the Mediterra­nean Sea. His irresistible and successeful power is declared in the next words: First, in Winning; for no Beasts might stand before him. Secondly, in Holding; for none could deliver out of his hand. Thirdly, in Dispo­sing of the kingdoms won and held according to his plea­sure; for he did according to his will, and became great.

The Goat of Grecia, Vers. 5, 6, 7, 8, 20, 21.

THe Goat more nimble, swift and potent then a Ram, exceeding in respect of lust, doth signifie the Greci [...] Monarchy. Notable for celerity of Atchivements, and excesse of Luxury, in eating, and drinking, and lust: for these causes, represented by the belly and thighs of the Image, Chap. 2, and by the swift and nimble Leopard, Chap. 7. This Grecian Goat is said to come from the West, that is, Macedonia; and on the face of the whole earth, that is, over all the Persian Empire: and touching not the ground, to note extraordinary celerity of Warlike Inun­dation. For in the space of about six yeers, the Persian Empire was subdued. The notable horn between the Goats eyes, is the first King in the Greek Monarchy, Ale­xander the great, Chap. 8.21. He is fixed between the eyes of the Monarchy, because encompassed with sage Coun­sellours, as it were the eyes thereof, excellent in wisdom and counsel, beyond any that came after in the same Em­pire. This the History doth shew. So that the greathorn between the eyes, doth note the conjunction of coun­sel and strength for the atchievement of the Conquests. The Conquest of the Persian Monarchy is elegantly decla­red inthe two next Verses, ver. 6,7. The Persian Monarchy is presented before him as a Ram heavie with Wool and [Page 41]fleshinesse, made slowe and unweildy with multitude of Riches, Countreys, Souldiers. And the Ram is also re­presented, standing against him, not running, as Alexan­der, to note his slownesse, want of courage; intentin ra­ther to defend then offend. He is also represented stand­ing by the River, which may either signifie the River Euphrates, about which the Persian Ram resided, encamped, and prepared for defence: or else the River, that is, the multitudes and Nations in the Persian Monarchy, as Revel. 17.2, 15, by which the Persian Monarch stood, lingring, as trusting to his multitudes for defence, and standing or incumbred therewithal. Against this Persian Ram, the Grecian Goat maketh assault: First, he is said to come against him, in relation (as I suppose) to the slower preparations of Philip King of Macedonia: then to run unto him, in the swift and speedy Marches of his son Ale­xander the Great; and in the heat of his strength (as the Oraginal expresseth) because Alexander marched towards him as with great speed, so with great strength, not cool­ed by any doubtings or fearfulnesse, but enlivened and made vigorous by the furious heat of courage and un­daunted resolution. This Verse 6. Thirdly, he is said to come neer the Ram: for after coming by slowe prepa­rations, and running by quick and furious Marches, Ale­xander did at last draw neer to the huge Armies of the Persian Ram. Fourthly, being come neer, he is said to be moved against him, that is, forthwith, without ling­ring and delaying, to have his courage and choler stirred up to Battel. Darius was a delaying Captain, and fearful; but Alexanders heat and resolution could not endure dila­tion. Fifthly, he is said to smite the Ram, by over­throwing the Persian Armies in Battel. Sixthly, the next degree of proceeding consisteth in breaking his two horns. For the Armies being overthrown in Battel, forthwith the [Page 42]Persian horns and kingdoms came under his dominion. Seventhly, it is added, that there was no power in the Ram to stand against him: to note, that the Persian Mo­narch after overthrow, repaired frequently his Armies, restored Battel, but ever fell more and more. Eighthly, it is added, that he cast him down to the ground; to note an utter extinction of the Persian kingdom, after various and sundry overthrows. Ninthly, he stamped upon him, that is, after full Conquest, crowed, insulted, triumphed. Lastly, it is said, that there was none that could deliver the Ram out of his power; to note an overthrow not onely of the Persian kingdom, but of all helps and neigh­bours adjacent; yea, and Alexander also afterward pro­ceeded to the conquest of the Countreys all about. These are the ten degrees of the proceeding of the Grecian kingdom in the conquest of the Persian, each one follow­ing the other in nature and description; and the truth of all this, is abundantly witnessed by Histories. It is added, Vers. 8, that therefore the Goat waxed exceeding great, as having subdued so many Countreys, and joyned them to the kingdom of Macedonia. But when he was at the greatest, his great horn was broken, Vers. 8. For Ale­xander, in the midst of his strength, youth, power and greatnesse of dominion, suddenly, beyond the opinion of men, perished, Chap. 11.4; and in place thereof, four horns came up to the four windes of heaven. For Phi­lippus Aridaeus took possession of Macedonia in the West: Amigonus of Asia in the North: the Seleucidae of Syria and Babylon in the East: the Lagida of Egypt in the South.

Antichrist of the Romane Empire, Vers. 9, to the end.

ANd out of one of them] That is, from the northern parts of the Macedonian horn.

Came a little horn] That is, Antichrist; not in respect of natural or political derivation, but onely in respect of local proceeding from out of the same place and Coun­trey which formerly was the horn of Macedonia. By the leave and special agreement of the Greek Emperour, An­tichrist did locally come forth with all the western Troops against the Turks and Saracens, thence to advance himself to the South, and to the East, and to the pleasant Land, as it is following in the next words.

But it may be said also, and haply more probably, that the Pope proceeded out of one of them, because he came out of the Romane kingdom, which here for brevity sake may be comprehended under those four horns: and upon this ground, that after a hundred yeers, when these four horns had not yet come to the midst of their dura­tion, the Romanes having surprised one of them, did af­terward joyn with the rest remaining, in the dilaceration and division of the Greek Empire. So in the end of their kingdom Antichrist doth arise, Vers. 23, because in the end of the Romane kingdom, which in respect of its primitive state came into the number of those four horns, concur­ring in the dilaceration of the Greek Empire.

2. Observe that he is said to arise from a little one: so signifieth [...], that is, from lowe, obscure, and scarce discernable beginnings, as Chap. 7.8. He came to matu­rity in Hildebrand, after the yeer 1073, or thereabout. His Wars followed: The first against the Turks and Sara­cens, [Page 44]beginning anno 1096: The second against the Saints, from after anno 1160, breaking forth into perfection, anno 1209.

3. Coming forth or locally proceeding from the Nor­thern parts of the Macedonian horn, from Constantinople by Nicea in the North parts of Asia, he is said to wax great unto the South, unto the East, and to the pleasant Land. Herein his War against the Turks and Saracens is fully com­prehended; against whom his first assault was from Nicea in the North, Paul. Aemyll. to Lycia, Pamphilia, Cilicia, being directly the Southern bounds of Asia. There Solymannus the Turkish King was subdued. His second assault was from thence Eastwardly, even to Edessa and Euphrates: Syria subdued: Cassianus the second Turkish King there vanquished. His third assault was from thence unto the pleasant Land, Judea: there the third Mahumetan King, the Egyptian Caliph, was overcome. Thus he subdued three Kings; thus orderly he pushed to the South, to the East, and to the pleasant Land, Chap. 7.8.

Or thus: He grew up to the South, by pushing against the Saracens in Afrike, anno 1087, with wonderful successe. Sigonius. Then to the East and pleasant Land ten yeers after, in the Wars before described.

4. His second War against the Saints is thus described, Verse 10; as that he waxed great even to the host of heaven; that is, the Christian Church: That it cast down of the host of the stars to the ground; that is, of the Waldenstan Prote­stants, partly by open War, immediately succeeding the War against the Turks; partly by intestine Persecution. A million of men was devoured in this War. It is ad­ded, that, being not content to cast them down, after con­quest he stamped on them, to note his crowing, triumph­ing, and insultation over them. Compare Ap [...]. 12.3, and Chap. 13.3, 4. Apoc. 11.9, 10.

[Page 45] 5. His rising up against Christ himself is thus described, as that he magnified himself even to the Prince of the Host that is, See Josh. 5.14, 15. unto Christ the King and Saviour of his peo­ple, Chap. 7.25. and 11.36. and 10.21. and 12.1. and 8.25. Apoc. 1.11. and 17.14. The manner of this presumption is declared in the words following, Vers. 11. For by him the daily Sacrifice was taken away; that is, the true Doctrine and Worship of God according to his Word. ¶ And the place of his Sanctuary was cast down] That is, his residence to be worshipped; abominations being advanced into his place. All this was done [...], from him, that is, from his counsel, instigation, and Pontifical Decrees, im­mediately executed by Christian Princes and Ecclesiasti­cal Superiours. See Chap. 11.31.

6. The general Apostacie of the Christian Church by his procurement, is described in the next words, Vers. 12. ¶ And the host was given up against the daily Sacrifice into trans­gression] And the host, that is, the general part of the Christian Church, as the word is used, Vers. 10. Rev. 12.3. ¶ Was given up against the daily Sacrifice] That is, the truth of Doctrine and divine Worship. ¶ Into transgres­sion.] Or, by transgression; that is, into Apostacie, even to the setting up of the abomination or transgression of de­solation, as Vers. 13. Chap. 11.31. Images, canonized de­vils, breaden god. ¶ And it cast down the truth to the ground] That is, the truth of the Gospel, the holy Covenant, Chap. 11.22, 30. ¶ And it practised and prospered.] Where­by is signified a continuation of the Christian Church un­der the Antichristian Apostacie, to the oppressing of the truth and professors of the same.

An Explication of the Explication added about Antichrist, Vers. 13, &c. Vers. 23.

VErse 15, Daniel, signifying by Type the Witnesses of Truth in the last time, is first moved to seek for the meaning of the Vision; and thereupon Gabriel ap­peareth in the similitude of a man, being sent at the voice of Christ, sounding from the River Ulai; which signifieth the unsealing of this and other mysteries to the Saints of the last time (for unto Daniel himself they were to be unknown, Chap. 8.26, 27 and 12.4, and to all other before the last time, Acts 1.7. Matth. 24.36; onely to Daniel, as in a Type, an explication is given, to be fully perfected in the Antitype, the later Saints, who were alone to understand the same) and unto these the mysteries were to be unsealed in the meaning, as here unto Daniel typically in the bark of words, and at the voice, that is, the command of Christ, sounding as from the River Ulai, so from among the multitudes, Tongues and People, over whom he especially reigneth in the Romane Empire, Revel. 17.15, 2. Christ also signifieth the Revelation by his Angel, Revel. 1.1; and Michael, the great Prophecie, by the ministery of an Angel in the similitude of a man, Dan. 10. And at the presence of the Angel, Daniel is ter­rified and falleth into a deep sleep, as proportionably the Saints of the last time, to whom these mysteries are dis­covered under the Antichristian Persecutions: but he is revived, as they also have been and shall be, and he is told that the Vision is of events to be fulfilled in the last time, the last wrath, the time of the end, Vers. 17, 18, 19.

The Ram is interpreted as before, Verse 20, and the Goat, Verse 21. His great horn, and the four succeeding, [Page 47]Vers. 22, but not in the strength of the great horn, Ale­xander the Great; also as before.

Vers. 23. ¶ And in the end of their kingdom, when the trans­gressors shall come to the full] That is, when the Christians revolted into Idolatry, shall come to the fulnesse of their Apostacie. For the Transgressors are here called [...], in relation to the [...] the Antichristian trans­gression making desolate, Chap. 8.12, 13, by which the Chri­stian Church began to be made desolate ever since the beginning of the One thousand two hundred and sixty yeers; but the Apostacie or Spiritual desolation came not toward fulnesse or perfection, till about the time of Hildebrand, after which time the greatnesse of Antichrist here spoken of, arose, and the encreasing himself by his two Wars.

And a King shall stand up] This is, Antichrist, hidden­ly with the Barbarians, Chap. 7.8. Apoc. 17.12, openly after them. He came to maturity in Hildebrand, and after­ward.

It followeth, ¶ Of an hard or fierce countenance] That is, of a proud and imperious look, not onely in relation to the Saints, but also to the Princes of the earth. In re­spect of whom it is said, Chap. 7.20, that his look was more stout then his fellows, as being proudly imperious and tyrannical also unto them.

And understanding dark sentenoes] That is, dark and profound subtilties, such as the Pope and his Clergie-men professe, in their Philosophical speculations and questi­onary Theologie. ¶ And his power shall be mighty] That is, after the time of his maturity; which came to passe in Hildebrand after, anno 1073. ¶ But not by his own power] Because his power did mediately consist in the power of the Christian Princes voluntarily subjected unto him, Apoc. 13.3. and 17.17.

[Page 48]And he shall destroy wonderfully] Beyond all former example. See Chap. 11.24, 25, 26. The truth hereof is manifest by the History to the full. ¶ And shall prosper] For he must stand One thousand two hundred and sixty yeers, Apoc. 11.2, 3. Dan. 12.7. ¶ And shall practice] To wit, by Military Expeditions and cunning devices. ¶ And shall destroy the mighty] That is, the Turks and Saracens, as Chap. 11.25, 26. ¶ And the people of the holy Ones.] That is, the Waldenses, in a second War equal for greatnesse to the former, and immediately succeeding.

Verse 25. ¶ And through his policie also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hands] For by craft and policie he brake down the Waldenses, and Princes of the Covenant; as it is expounded Chap. 11.23, 24. ¶ And he shall magnifie him­self in his heart] By exalting himself above Secular Kings and Magistrates, Chap. 7.20. and 11.36. ¶ And by peace he shall destroy many] For under pretence of Peace, he en­tred by flatteries into the Waldensian Countries, and made incomparable havock and destruction by his Harpyes the Monks Inquisitors, Chap. 11.21, 23, 24, 33. In peace also he destroyed them, because in cold blood and times of peace, by course of unjust Laws, and not of Wars. ¶ He shall also stand up against the Prince of princes] That is, Christ Jesus, Prince of the kings of the earth, Apoc. 1.5, by sub­verting his Institutions, and setting up his own abominati­ons. So it is expounded, Chap. 8.1 [...], 11. and 11.37, 38, 39. ¶ But he shall be broken down without hand] That is, without the hand of man, and by the onely power of God Al­mighty. The phrase is expounded, Chap. 2.44, 45. See 2 Thess. 2.8. Dan. 7.19, 22. Chap. 12.1. Apoc. 17.4. and 19.19, 20, 21.

A Question is asked, Vers. 13. How long? And the answer is Verse 14, To the evening and morning Two thousand and three hundred.

[Page 49] The Two thousand and three hundred of mornings and evenings, are just half so many compleat days, to wit, One thousand one hundred and fifty days: and days are yeers. See in Lu­thers Life. If these begin from the yeer 360, together with the yeer 1290, Chap. 12.11, they will end at 1510, when by Luther the Sanctuary began to be purged; and because of the round number, that yeer may be pointed at rather then 1516 or 1517. Although from Damasus, the first Pope that entred in after the manner of an Antichrist, to wit, from 367, the One thousand one hundred and fifty yeers will expire precisely at 1517. But because two evenings are according to Scripture to every compleat day, Exod. 12.6, and proportionably two mornings also; and fore­noon is morning, and afternoon is evening, Exod. 29.39. Dan. 9.21; and also the evening of the night, to wit, the fore-part thereof, Psal. 30.5, 6, and morning, Exod. 14, or later part thereof; and so after this manner, Four mornings and evenings will compleat one day. Hence another way of accommodation will arise, by numbring the days or yeers according to the fourth part of the Two thousand and three hundred, and so the yeer will be 575. And if the particular state and acts of Anti­christ described in this Chapter, are in this number cir­cumscribed, the greatnesse of Hildebrand the Pope, and his rising above the Emperour, beginning in 1075, as Calvisius declareth, from thence Five hundred seventy and five yeers will precisely run out before the yeer 1650, which is the first yeer of the great Purgation os the San­ctuary, according to the way of accommodation, as shall be shewed upon Chap. 12.7, 11, 12.

The fourth Prophecie, Dan. 9, of the Seventy weeks.

The Controversal Part.

THis was revealed unto Daniel in the time of the eve­ning-Oblation, v. 21; and after that he had long and earnestly sought the Lord. The meaning also of this Pro­phecie hath been long sought, by sundry pious and learn­ed Divines, and for many hundred yeers: but it may be, that the unsealing of it is reserved to the evening of the world, proportionately to the other Prophecies of Dani­el, which were to be sealed up until the time of the end, Dan. 8.26, 27. and 12.4, 10.

The general and received opinion hath been, and is, that these weeks began at the going forth of the Regal Edict for restauration of Jerusalem, after the Babylonian Captivity. But the accommodation of this opinion and of the yeers unto the thing, is exceeding various and di­vided by manifold opinions, and all of them clogged (as I suppose) with inextricable difficulties. For some be­gin these yeers at the fourth yeer of Zedekiah, as Nicolaus de lyra, and others. Clement of Alexandria begins them at the first yeer of Cyrus. Origen, from the first yeer of Da­rius the Mede. Julius Affricanus, from the twentieth yeer of Longimanus. Tertullian as Origen, but in a strange Chronologie. Origen again elsewhere numbreth a day for Ten yeers, and so fetcheth them from Adam. Ano­ther, from the sixth yeer of Darius Histaspes. Others, from the second of Darius Nothus. Others, from the se­venth of Artaxerxes Longimanus. See Pererius on Daniel, Reinold. Junius.

Others, finding no soundnesse in these Opinions, flee [Page 51]to extremes. Master Broughton and his followers denying the truth of Heathen Chronologie, constitute the yeers without ground. Doctor Reinolds on the other side, al­lowing and maintaining the Heathen Chronologie; and finding no way how to accommodate these yeers unto it, affirmeth that no certain time is meant, but an uncertain and undetermined duration, in allusion to the Seventy yeers of the Babylonian Captivity.

To spend long time in examining and confuting all these Opinions, and sundry others that might be brought, would be exceeding tedious both to the Writer and the Reader, and unnecessary also; forasmuch as Doctor Reinolds, Pererius, and other Authors, have worthily shew­ed the unsoundnesse of other Opinions besides their own, and their own impugned by one another. Graserus, whom Piscator seemeth to follow, being overwhelmed with the difficulty, or rather impossibility of accommodation, af­firm that these yeers must begin at the Edict of Cyrus: but how to apply them according to Chronologie, they ingenuously confesse they cannot tell. All this I have alleadged, especially for this end, that by so monstrous variety of Opinions, and such inextricable difficulties in every one of them, we may the more easily be brought to suspect at least, that the truth is not yet found, and that not contenting our selves with that which hath been already said, we might be incited and encouraged to seek for further light.

I purpose, after all these, the unworthiest of them, to adde my mite for the understanding of this Prophecie; not resolutely and peremptorily determining what I shall say, but with submission to better Judgements, shewing what may be farther said, and upon what grounds of pro­bability, to prepare an easier way for the finding of the truth.

[Page 52] THis Prophecie seemeth not to be understood of the times between the Babylonian Captivity and the Pas­sion of our Lord, or destruction of Jerusalem, for these Reasons.

1. Because in no place of the New Testament this Pro­phecie is used against the Jews, to prove the Messiah al­ready come.

2. If the restauration of the City, Vers. 25, is of the material Jerusalem, after Nebuchad-nezzars Captivity, it must begin in the first of Cyrus; from which time, Seventy weeks of yeers will fully expire long before the birth of Christ.

3. The first Division of the Seventy weeks, is Seven weeks of yeers, Vers. 25, the end whereof is expressely characterized by the setting up of a Messiah Governour, which cannot be verified in the setting up of the first Go­vernour of the Jews after the Captivity, much lesse of Christ. For Zerubbabel was set up in the beginning, and Christ long after the end of all. No other Governour can be meant after the first, because the setting up of one, pointeth at the first. Therefore if the Seven weeks end not in the setting up of Zerubbabel or Christ, as they can­not, then they cannot be verified in the material state of Jerusalem after the Captivity of Babylon.

4. The cutting off of the Messiah here spoken of, is expresly joyned with the destruction of the City, in one week to be accomplished, the last Seven yeers, Vers. 26, 27: whereas Christ suffered above Thirty yeers before the destruction of material Jerusalem.

5. Those phrases, Vers. 24, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To purge iniquity, and To bring in everlast­ing righteousnesse, are manifest characters of the time of the end, as shall be shewed.

[Page 53] My Judgement is, that these Seventy weeks of yeers are cut out for the restauration of the Spiritual Jerusalem, the Church of Christ, from the Babylon and servitude of Antichrist; and must end in the full purgation thereof from Antichristian defilements, and from the course of other moral transgressions.

1. Because the effects characterizing the end of these yeers, the consuming of transgression, and the bringing in of everlasting righteousnesse, Vers. 24, are effects to be accom­plished in the Christian Church, at the fall of Antichrist, Isal. 1.25, 26, 27, 28. and 27.9. Apoc. 21.27.

2. In the other Prophets, the restauration of the Christian Church from the Babylon of Antichrist, is in like Types proportionably represented: Isai. 10, and 11, and 13, and 14. Jer. 50 and 51. Apoe. 14.6, 7, 8. and 16.19. and 15.7. and 18.2, 10, 21.

3. In all the other Prophecies of Daniel, the main sub­ject of them is the history of Antichrist, the Waldensian Saints and their successors, restored and reduced out of Antichristian Captivity. See Chap. 7, and 2, and 8, and 10, 11, 12.

4. The parallel proportion of phrase, argueth the an­ointed Prince, Vers. 25, to be the Prince of the Covenant, Chap. 11.22, which there doth signifie the Princes of the Waldenses, as shall be shewed.

5. The streights of times, Vers. 25, and the destructi­on of the City, Vers. 26, doth fitly agree to the Antichri­stian persecution. See Chap. 8.24, 11, 13.

6. The effects of the last weeks are parallel with the Antichristian persecution described Apoc. 11. For as the Christian Church is in both places signified by the holy City, Apoc. 11.2. with Dan. 9.26, and streights of time said in both places to go before the last afflictions, Apoc. 11.5, 3, 7. with Dan. 9.25: so the last afflictions are also [Page 54]proposed with marvellous agreement. There, three yeers and half of tyranny over the conquered Saints, Apoc. 11.8, 9, in the end of persecution; here, half a week of yeers, that is, precisely three and an half, out out for the same end. There, War immediately preceding the foresaid triumph, Apoc. 11.7: here, in like manner.

7. From the beginning of the second half of the last week, or of the three yeers and half, a Prince is said to cause the Sacrifice and Oblation to cease, Vers. 27. A phrase attributed to Antichrist, Chap. 8.11. and 11.31, there said to take away the daily Sacrifice.

8. In the same time the said Prince is said, Vers. 27, for the overspreading of abominations, to make desolate. A phrase attributed to Antichrist, Chap. 8.12, 13. and 11.31, there said to set up the abominations making desolate.

9. It is added, Vers. 27, Until the consummation determined shall be poured on the desolate. A phrase also applied to the restraining of the Antichristian persecution, Chap. 11.36.

10. As the Seventy weeks, the division of the Seven from the Sixty two, and of both from the one week, are unappliable to the material restauration out of real Ba­bylon: so they will exactly and precisely agree to the restauration out of the Antichristian Babylon, as shall be shewed.

Upon these grounds of probability, I will adventure to propose the Interpretation following, with submission to the judgement of Brethren, and evidence of clearer light.

The second Part. The Interpretation of the Prophecie of the Seventy weaks, Dan. 9.24, 25, 26, 27.

SEventy weeks] A day for a yeer, Vers. 24. as Gen. 6.3. Ezek. 4.6. Apoc. 11.3, 8. Levit. 25.8. [Page 55]Seventy weeks, are Seventy weeks of yeers, that is, Four hundred and ninety yeers. Therefore unto this kinde of weeks are opposed three weeks of days by di­stinction, Chap. 10.2.

are determined] Heb. [...], cut out, Gras. in Dan. 9. or accurately and precisely determined: so that by the end of the Seventy weeks, the effects following shall be precisely fulfilled.

upon the people and upon the holy citie] That is, upon the true Christian Church, within these Seventy weeks of yeers to be gathered out of the Spiritual Babylon of Antichrist. See Apoc. 11.2. Now observe, that as Daniel was confessing the sins of his people, intreating pardon and purgation of them, Vers. 20; so accordingly the An­gel is come to shew, not onely that sin should be pardon­ed and purged, but also the time and yeer thereof. Therefore it followeth,

to make an end of transgression] [...] is the Antichri­stian defection or apostacie, Dan. 8.12, 13. 2 Thess. 2.3. To make an end of it, is to cut off by the Word and by the spirit of judgement and consuming affliction, the utmost remnant of the honourable use of the very names of An­tichristian Idols, from among the holy people, Zech. 13.1, 2. Zeph. 1.4. Hos. 2.17. So signifieth [...], Dan. 12.7. Psal. 59.14. Jer. 5.10, 18, &c.

and to consume sins] [...] is to consume by the word and judgement, Dan. 8.23. Psal. 104.35. and 101.8. and 46.6. And the external and greater acts of sin against the moral Law, may be especially signified in distinction from the Antichristian transgression.

and to purge iniquity] [...] is the iniquity in general, even the first motions and original sin, Psal. 51.5. [...] is to forgive, Psal. 71.38, and 65.4. Jer. 18.23; and to purge or take away, Isai. 6.7. and 27.9. So to purge iniquity, is to seal to the Saints the forgivenesse of their iniquity, [Page 56]and also to wash and purge it from them by the word and by the spirit of judgement and burning. See Ezek. 20.37, 38. Isai. 1.2, 3, 25, 26. and 27.9.

and to bring in everlasting righteousnesse] That is, the righteousnesse of New Jerusalem, whereunto an entrance shall be made at the end of these yeers. See Apoc. 27. [...]1. Isai. 60.21, and especially Isai. 1.25, 26, 27, 28, a place ex­actly parallel to this; and Dan. 8.14. and 12.12.

and to seal up the vision and prophet] To seal, is to put the last hand to the writing, to make a full end and accom­plishment thereof. The vision and prophet, are the Visions and Prophecies in the Scripture that shall be fulfilled. See Apoc. 10.6. For then the kingdom of the Saints shall be set up, foretold by all the holy Prophets, Dan. 2.44.

and to anoint the most holy] Or, holy of holies. By the anointing of the holy of holies, which was of the Altar for Sacrifice and Offerings, Exod. 29.36, 27, may be signifi­ed, to bring in the perfect Worship in Spirit and in Truth, in opposition to the couse of Antichrist, by whom the daily Sacrifice was removed, Dan. 11.31, and the Oblation caused to cease, Chap. 9.27: the same which is said Mal. 3.3, And he shall purifie the sons of Levi, and purge them at gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousnesse. Then he that shall be left in Zion, and he that shall remain in Jerusalem, shall be called holy: every one shall be written among the living in Jerusalem. When the Lord shall wash the filthinesse of the daughters of Zion, and purge the blood of Jerusalem out of the midst thereof, by the spirit of judgement and by the spirit of burning, Isa. 4.3, 4.

The special Tractation of the Seventy weeks; their threefold division; Vers. 25, 26, 27.

KNow therefore and understand] Here is an invitation to understand this Prophecie as a matter of great moment. A pondering consideration of it is enjoyned also, as being a matter of great difficulty. So our Lord speaking of the Abomination of desolation, foretold by Daniel the Prophet, exhorteth, Let him that readeth, consider, Matth. 24.14.

From the going forth of the word] It is not [...], the commandment; but, [...]. And it may be the Word preach­ed in the mouth of the Waldenses. It began to go forth in the yeer 1160.

To bring again and to build Jerusalem] A Metaphor borrowed from the restoring of a ruinated City. Jerusa­lem is the Christian Church. It had lain desolate and rui­ned in the Antichristian Apostacie. To bring again and build it, is spiritually to restore and reform it, by the Word of truth, which began to go forth in the mouth of the Waldenses.

Unto a Messiah governour] [...] is all one with [...], Chap. 11.22, the Prince of the Covenant, or the Political Governour, anointed as the Kings of Israel and Judah, for the protection of the Church. Mark, it is not [...], or [...] Christ the King or Governour, but without [...] restraining, as anointed Governour, that is, a Civil Magistrate. Two kindes of Messiah are spo­ken of in Scripture; the Priest, the King: and a third is said to be anointed, the Prophet, 1 King. 29.16. Psal. 105.15. The Priest is called [...], Levit. 4.5, 16, The priest the anointed. This with the Prophet, is the Messiah [Page 58]Ecclesiastical. The Messiah Political is here called by Daniel [...], an anointed governour.

Shall be seven weeks] Seven weeks of yeers are un­derstood; that is, Fourty and nine yeers. This first divi­sion of yeers is cut out expresly for the setting up of a political Messiah. And it is the end declared in the very Text: and otherwise it cannot easily be seen why this first division of yeers should be cut off or parted from the following divisions. Now a Messiah Ecclesiastical was set up in the beginning of the yeers. For the Word went forth in the Waldensian Pastors, for the Spiritual Restauration of mystical Jerusalem, the Church of Christ, out of the ca­ptivity and desolation under Babylon Antichristian, in the yeer 1160. But a Political Messiah did not openly and professedly arise, for the defence and protection of the Waldensian Churches against the violence of Antichrist, till Seven weeks or Fourty nine yeers after. And so the history doth expresly shew; to wit, that the Waldensian Princes did professedly stand up in War against the Pope, in defence of the Waldenses or Albingenses, in the yeer 1209: and from the former term 1160 to 1209, which is the later, are precisely Seven weeks or Fourty nine yeers, not one yeer superabundant or deficient. See Dan. 11.22. Now the Princes of the Waldenses, in this War undertaken and for about Twenty yeers continued, though they ma­ny times were worsted by the Antichristians, and especi­ally in the beginning; yet they defended the Reformed Churches, and by degrees prevailed; until such time as the enemies, seeing little hope by force to bring them under, turned to flatteries and lyes, and so deceived them. Dun. 8.25. and 11.23, 24.

But here cometh in a great Difficulty. For, the Wal­densian Princes being at last subdued by deceit, the Pope ascended to the fulnesse of his kingdom, and continued [Page 59]in his strength, except onely interruptions of Temporal calamities, until the time of Wickliff, after which time his kingdom properly so called, began to be darkned, and his strength Ecclesiastical or Spiritual to be shaken effe­ctually. Wherefore it is a very doubtful Question, and concerning which I cannot possibly be resolved at the present; Whether the Restauration of the Church out of Babylon Spiritual, here spoken of by Daniel, is not ra­ther begun from the time of Wickliff. Especially, seeing that from the time of Wickliff, as well as from the time of Waldus, the first division of yeers, that is, the Seven weeks or Fourty nine yeers, will precisely run out in the erection of a Political Messiah. For the Restauration by the Word and Doctrine, began from the yeer 1370, at least according to the round number, and was conti­nued in the hand of Wickliff and his followers until the yeer 1419, when Zisca in Bohemia was set up for a Poli­tical Messiah and Defender of the Churches reformed and separated from Antichrist. After which time, though all the successors of Zisca were not reformed, yet the re­formed Churches lived under them defended and prote­cted against the violence of Antichrist, until the time of Luther, when greater strength and security came in. Neither did Antichrist ever after Wickliff so recover himself, as after Waldus he had done. Wherefore let this second way of accommodation be equally consider­ed, until the events of time neer approaching shall shew which of the two ways before mentioned is rather to be chosen.

The Second division of the Seventy weeks, being the Sixty and two weeks.

ANd Sixty and two weeks] The Sixty and two weeks of yeers added to the Seven precedent, if the whole Seventy begin from 1160, will begin at the yeer 1209, and so will end in the yeer 1642. But if the Seventy weeks begin from 1370, then the Sixty two will begin from the rising up of Zisca, and will not end as yet by the space of about Two hundred yeers. The like difficulty there is about the yeers of Antichrist, as shall be shewed hereafter. Now during the space of the said Seven and Sixty two weeks, it is said, that the street shall be built, and the wall; that is, of the Church restored and edified by the Ordinances of Christ and Word of truth. Mark, it is not said, that the City and the House shall be built; but, the street and the wall; to note a rude and unperfect building in comparison with that to come at the end of these Seven­ty weeks of yeers.

Even in the streit of times] Heb. [...], in the pressing or squeezing affliction. See Job 36.16. Apoc. 7.14. Dan. 11.33, 34. Isai. 51.13. The meaning is, that during these Seven and Sixty two weeks of yeers, the Reformed Churches should be subject to great afflictions. Howbeit a limita­tion seemeth to be added in the next word [...] the strait of times; that is, at certain periods of times, by unconstant gusts of persecution, Dan. 11.32, 34. But alas, there is a sorer time as yet to come, in the last week of yeers, expressed elsewhere, by the last rising and triumph of the Beast the space of three days and an half, Apoc. 11.7, 8: if at least we conceive an event about to come, proportionable to the outward shew of the Prophecie, or to the verbal expressi­ons thereof.

The third division of the Seventy weeks; the one and last week, Vers. 26, 27.

VErs. 26. ¶ And after Sixty two weeks shall the Messiah be cut off, and shall have nothing] That is, it shall come to passe in the last week of the Seventy, or in the last Seven yeers of the Four hundred and ninety before men­tioned, that some of the Princes of the Reformed Churches shall either cease from the protection and de­fence of them against the violence of Antichrist; or the Churches shall be plucked off from under their protecti­on and government.

And the people of the Prince that shall come, shall destroy the City and the Sanctuary] The Prince that shall come, is Antichrist: and his people, that is, the Papists and An­tichristians, shall destroy the City and Sanctuary; that is, some of the Church Evangelical, the City and Sanctuary of Christ, according to the visible appearance thereof in publike Worship and external Ordinances. So much I conceive is held out unto us in the fall and lying dead of the Two Witnesses, Revel. 11.8. But what slaughter of men shall be, it is not said expresly: and onely a suppres­sing of the publiek state of the Church, and of the open exercise of Worship, and in some parts onely, may haply be understood. I fear to expresse what may be concei­ved; being onely willing to write what necessity com­pelleth, and what the manifest words of the Text do force unto. And I wish and pray daily, that this event spoken of by Eglinus and others also writing on the Revelation, may be discovered at last to have been foretold upon un­grounded interpretation, if possibly it may stand with the Word and Will of our heavenly Father. Surely I should [Page 62]not have written this, if conscience of duty and desire to improve a Talent, had not moved me. But it is not in our power, for desire of good unto the Church, to alter the Truth of God; neither can it be faithfulnesse in us to violence or force upon the Word an unnatural Inter­pretation: and besides, such presumption would be ex­tremely prejudicial to the honour of God, and to the welfare of his people. It is the love of God to forewarn us of our afflictions, and our safety and strength to know before the evil that shall come upon us. Wherefore our Saviour saith, when he had described the afflictions im­pendent, Matth. 24.25, Behold, I have told you all before. But let us now proceed.

And his end shall be with a flood] That is, with the fore­said Inundation of the Reformed Churches, shall the yeers of the Reign of Antichrist expire. For the Four hundred and ninety yeers here spoken of, and the One thousand two hundred and sixty yeers of the Reign of Antichrist, shall precisely end together, whether we take them as beginning at the time of Waldus, or beginning at the time of Wickliff; as shall be shewed in the due place.

And unto the end of the War even determined, shall be de­solations] So I translate, referring [...] as Adjective unto [...]. And the meaning is, that unto the full end of the last week, shall continue the desolations of the Churches, at least according to the visible frame and ap­pearance of them in publike Worship.

Vers. 27. ¶ And he shall confirm a covenant to many for one week] He, that is, Antichrist, the Prince immediately be­fore spoken of. And in the last week, or in the last Seven yeers of the Seventy weeks, shall confirm a Covenant with many, that is, with many of his own people, as in the former Verse, Papists or Antichristians, or favourers unto them; that by them he may destroy the Citie and [Page 63]Sanctuary before spoken of. Haply also by sleights and subtil tricks he shall bring in many others within the cir­cuit of the Covenant; who having unawares engaged themselves, shall be forced by their endeavours to pro­move the ends of the Covenant. For the Hebrew word [...], is to cause a Covenant to prevail over any: and so may import so much as hath been said. Wherefore the Jewish Rabbines referring these passages to the times of Vespasian, say the meaning to be this, that Titas Vespa­sian should make a fraudulent Covenant with many of the Jews, that by disjoyning them, he might the more easily prevail against them.

And in the midst of the week, he shall cause the Sacrifice and Oblation to cease] The Sacrifice and Oblation mystically signifieth Christian Woship, Mal [...]3.4, and the exercise of the Ordinances; which Antichrist shall cause to cease in respect of the publike and open solemnities thereof: howbeit he shall not effect or accomplish this before the midst of the last week, to be continued to the end there­of, the space precisely of three yeers and half, expressed elsewhere by three days and half, Revel. 11.8, and here, by the later half of the last week.

And for the overspreading of abominations, he shall make desolate] That is, for this end, that he may spread, and diffuse, and set up in all places the Worship of his Anti­christian abominations, he shall make desolate the true Church, by causing her true Worship or publike solemni­ties to cease.

Even until the consummation, and that determined, be pour­ed out upon the desolate] It is said to be determined, because precisely cut out or limited, as the Seventy weeks in gene­ral, Vers. 24, to be ended at the end of them. Until this end, from the beginning of the One thousand two hun­dred and sixty days, Dan. 11.36, and principally from the [Page 64]midst of the last week, the consumption must be poured out upon the desolate. And so at the end of the Seventy weeks, the Transgression or Antichristian Apostacie being made an end of, and sins consumed, and iniquity purged, by the Spirit and Word, and by judgement or affliction, everlasting and glorious righteousnesse must follow, and the erection of the high kingdom of Saints, foretold in the Prophets and Visions of the Old Testament, and the Unction of the mystical Altar for the bringing of free­will-Offerings in righteousnesse, and pure and holy Wor­ship in the beauties of holinesse. So Verse 24.

Now if the Seventy weeks begin from Waldus, that is, from the yeer 1106, then this last & doleful week will be­gin precisely in 1643, and the midst of the said week will be in 1646; from which yeer the three days and half of last affliction will run down to be fully ended in the yeer 1649. Proportionately, if the One thousand two hun­dred and sixty yeers of the reign of Antichrist begin from the yeer 390, which is one way of accommodation, as shall be shewed; then they will precisely expire also in the said yeer 1649, and so will end together with the Seventy weeks or Four hundred and ninety yeers.

But if the Seventy weeks begin from Wickliff, or from the yeer 1370, then the last week cannot be expecteed, till Seven yeers immediately to come before the yeer 1860, that is, above Two hundred yeers hence. And proporti­onately, if the One thousand two hundred and sixty yeers of the reign of Antichrist begin from the yeer 600, which is the second way of accommodation, as shall be shewed; then they will precisely expire also immediately before the said yeer 1860, that is, precisely with the Seventy weeks according to their second accommodation.

The probabilities of both ways are such, that I must professe I cannot judge or determine which of the twain [Page 65]is to be followed. Howbeit I thought it needful to de­clare my thoughts. Two or three yeers will determine the Controversie as yet undetermined.

An Answer to an Objection.

BUt against all that hath been said, it will be objected, that in this present Prophecie, answer was given unto Daniel as he read the Prophecie of Jeremiah speaking of the material restitution of the Jews after Seventy yeers Captivity, and as he prayed for the accomplishment thereof; and therefore that the restitution of Jerusalem here spoken of, must necessarily be understood of that which went before the first coming of our Saviour.

This Objection doth not move my judgement at all; forasmuch as I am convinced of the use and custom of the Prophets, who bring in types and figures ordinarily, and touch them a little onely, making way closely and hid­denly thereby to speak of greater things shadowed there­by. See Isa. 7. and 37.30, 31. Matth. 24.2, 3. Hag. 2. Psal. 72 and 89, &c. So Daniel here cast his thoughts on the Restauration out of Babylon temporal; but closely under it he was by the Spirit led to the Restauration out of Ba­bylon spiritual. Besides, Jeremiah himself speaking of the Restauration after Seventy yeers, doth mystically imply, and under figures describe the Restauration out of Babylon spiritual, as the passages Jer. 29, and 33, and 50, and 51, do shew, and the Apocalyptical accommodations make evident: Daniel therefore enquiring into the Prophecie of Jeremiah concerning the Restauration of the Church, enquired not onely after the Restauration of the Jews, but after the Restauration of the Church in general, and [Page 66]glorious and spiritual, principally intended and desired of all Saints; and therefore was led by the Spirit of God to the Restauration out of Babylon spiritual, as sutable most unto his prayers and inquisitions.

Secondly, Daniel fasted and prayed afterward, as Chap. 10, so as here he is described; and yet answers are given him at large concerning Antichrist and the state of the Church in the last times, Matth. 24.15. Chap. 11; as appeareth evident­ly by the Abomination of desolation, Chap. 11.31, which was after the coming of Christ to be set up, and by sun­dry other Arguments. There, not a word of the reducti­on of the Jews, but onely of the mystical people of Da­niel out of the Babylon of Antichrist. So here.

The Fifth and great Prophecie, Dan. 10.11.12.

Dan. 10.

DAniel being prepared by abstinence, humiliation, prayer, Vers. 1, &c. a Vision is afterward presented unto him, first of Jesus Christ, under the title of the man clothed in linen, Vers. 5. Secondly, of the Angel Gabriel, under the title of one like the sons of men, Vers. 10, sent by Christ, to dictate unto Daniel the Prophecie following. Thirdly, of two other, Chap. 12.5, 6.

The description of Christ or Michael, Vers. 5, &c.

First, he is called one man, in relation to the other that appeared after ward.

Glothed in linen] To note his righteousnesse, where­with he clotheth his Saints by imputation and sanctiflca­tion.

[Page 67]Whose loyns were girded with fine gold of Uphaz] Apo. 3.18. An embleme of the righteousnesse of his will and actions: For righteousnesse is the girdle of his loyns, Isa. 11.5. It is resembled by a girdle of fine gold, to note the purity and worth thereof. See the parallel, Apoc. 1.

His body also was like the Crysolite] To note his power to purge the Church by his Word, Spirit and Judgements, as by the water of the Sea. For the Crysolite is of the colour of the Sea. See Ezek. 1.4. Apoc. 10.1. and 4.3. and 15.2.

And his face as the appearance of lightning] To note his omnipresence, terrible to sinners, suddenly discover­ing all sins, though never so remote, Psal. 90.8. Ezek. 1.13.

And his eyes as lamps of fire] To note his omni­science, discovering all things, though never so dark and secret; and with wrath and intention of revenge, Jer. 32.19.

And his arms and his feet like in colour to polished Brasse] Dan. 2.39. Zech. 6.1. & 14.3, 4. Isai. 51.9. To note his omnipotency in the execution of his wrath. The Brasse is fine or polished, to note the purity and evi­dence of his Judgements, appearing coming before they come, or in coming, by glancing in the word and signes forerunning.

And the voice of his words as the voice of a multitude] To note the threatnings and terrours appearing in the preparations and foreranners of the Judgements irresisti­bly ensuing, Isai. 30.27, 28.

Thus far of the description of the Son of God, con­cerning which, see more fully in that parallel description, Apoc. 1.

The description of the Angel Gabriel, Vers. 10, &c.

And behold, an hand touched me] That is, the hand of [Page 68]another from the first, and of the Angel Gabriel, sent by Michael, who was Christ the man clothed in linen, Chap. 12.1. Apoc. 12.7.

1. Because the former seemeth to be called One in re­lation to this other following, Vers. 5.

2. It is the use of Christ to signifie Prophecies by his Angel, Apoc. 1.1, 2; and this Angel is accordingly strengthned by Michael, Chap. 10.21.

3. the former Angel is Christ or Michael, as appear­eth by comparing the description with that Apoc. 1: but this Angel is distinguished from Michael, Verse 13, 21. Chap. 12.5, 6.

4. The former Angel is constantly styled by the man clo­thed in linen, Verse 5. Chap. 12.5, 6, 7. This, by the title of one like the appearance of a man, Verse 16, 18.

5. The former stood upon the waters of the River, Verse 4. Chap. 12.6, 7. This, upon the land, coming neer and touching the Prophet with his hand, Verse 10.

6. If this Angel were the same with the former, it would be said his hand touched, not a hand.

7. I prove that the Angel here spoken of is not the same with him before, but another from the former; Christ the former, Gabriel the later. And this I prove by a parallel description, Chap. 8. There, the voyce of a man is heard upon the River, saying, Gabriel, cause this man to understand, Chap. 1.16. So here, Christ, the man clothed in linen, standeth on the waters of the River, as Governour of all Nations, Tongues and People, Apo. 17.2, 15, and from the water speaketh, Dan. 12.6, 7, and uttereth the voice of his words, Chap. 10.9: what these words were, is not here expressed; but by comparing, they may be gather­ed to be the same with those, Chap. 8.16, bidding Gabriel to draw neer and speak unto the Prophet. Hereupon an hand did touch him, that is, the hand of Gabriel sent unto [Page 69]him. And proportionately Gabriel being bidden, Chap. 8.16, 17, 18, 19, came neer, stood before him, in the form of a man, touched him, spake unto him, strengthned him. So here, he stood before him, Verse 16, and in the simili­tude of a man, Verse 16, 18; touched him, Verse 10, 16, 18; spake unto him, and strengthned him, and shewed him that he was strengthned by Michael, for the reveal­ing of the mysteries ensuing, Verse 21. This Michael is Christ, as hath been said, the same with the man clothed in linen, Verse 5, as whose description there argueth him to be by the parallel description, Apoc. 1: he is Prince of the holy people, Chap. 12.1. and 8.11; one of the chief Princes, Chap. 10.13. [...], of the highest ones, Chap. 7.22.

Daniel, in the representation of this Vision, seemeth to typifie the Waldensian and Protestant Saints of the last time, the Witnesses of Truth, to whom alone it was to be revealed in respect of meaning, as to Daniel in respect of signes and words, Chap. 12.4, and whom in special it concerned, as principally discovering the mystery of An­tichrist.

1. Daniel, before the Vision is revealed unto him, for the space of three weeks of days, that is, One and twenty days, mourneth, and expresseth mourning by faring hard­ly and not anointing himself, Chap. 10.2, 3, 8. So the Witnesses of Truth are described prophesying and clo­thed in sackcloth, as mourning for the abominations of the Christian Church degenerated, Apoc. 11.3. Ezek. 9.4. Observe that the three weeks of days are those One and twenty days mentioned by the Angel, Verse 13, during which time he was restrained from coming unto Daniel, as being employed about the Prince of Persia; at the end of which days, Michael came and sent him unto Daniel, to signifie this Vision unto him.

[Page 70] 2. Daniel seeth the Vision alone, not the men with him, Verse 7. Also the faithful Witnesses of Truth one­ly perceive the mystery of Antichrist; the rest of the Christian profession are blinded, Isa. 6.10.

3. Christ speaking, a great fear falleth on his compani­ons, and they fled to hide themselves, Vers. 7, which may signifie a spiritual bondage in the part unconverted, whose eye is not opened to see; which driveth them not to sufficient Repentance, but to hide themselves under the fig-leaves of superstitious and uneffectual remedies.

4. At the revealing of this Vision, Daniel hath no strength left in him, his vigour turned into corruption, retaineth no strength, falleth into a deep sleep, his face upon the ground, Vers. 8.9, 10; which seemeth to pre­figure the extreme and deadly condition, whereof the Church is sensible, upon the first discovery of Antichri­stianism, Gen. 15.12.

5. Daniel is raised, not at once, but by four degrees. 1. He is set up on his knees and palms of his hands, Vers. 10, an embleme of prayer. 2. He is caused to stand up­on his feet, though trembling and silent, Verse 11, 15. 3. His mouth is opened to speak, though not without much weaknesse, fears and sorrows, Verse 17. 4. He is fully strengthned, Vers. 19. Accordingly the Witnesses of Truth were raised. The first degree, in the Waldenses, from after the yeer 1160. The second degree, in Wick­liff, John Hus and Zisca, from about the yeer 1370 and 1400. The third degree, in Luther and Zuinglius and their followers, from after the yeer 1517. The fourth degree is to be expected after the three days and half, when the Witnesses of Truth shall be fully strengthned.

An Explication of Dan. 11. Vers. 1.

ALso I] Gabriel the Angel speaketh, sent by the man clothed in linen, who is Christ, Chap. 10.9, 10.

In the first yeer of Darius the Mede, even I stood to confirm him and to strengthen him] Darius was the lesser horn, that rose first, at the fall of the Monarchy of Babylon, Chap. 8.2, 3.

Sect. 1. The Persian Monarchy, Vers. 2.

ANd now I will shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up three kings in Persia] That is, after Darius the Mede, mentioned in the former Verse: and these are Cyrus, Cambyses, and Darius son of Histaspes.

And the fourth] That is, Xerxes next following.

Shall be far richer then they all] For Xerxes, besides that which he gathered himself, received also those unmeasura­ble riches which by his father Darius had been gathered out of all the East, and prepared for the Grecian War.

And when he shall be strengthened by his riches, he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia] For by the sinews of his riches, he moved a great War against the Grecians; and thereunto stirred up all the men of the East, of whom he had about Four and twenty hundred thousand, besides the Attendants, that would duplicate the number. These he stirred up himself and his successors, to whom he left this War hereditary, until the ruine of the Persian King­dom. The other Persian Kings after Xerxes, are not here expressed, a transition following to the Grecians, because in Xerxes the Persians fall began, and the rising of the Grecians, toward the Monarchical succession.

Sect. 2. The Grecian kingdom, Vers. 3.

BUt a mighty king shall stand up] This is Alexander the Great, the founder of the Grecian kingdom.

That shall rule with great dominion] For having con­quered the Persians, he proceeded further, and subdued also the Hircanians, Mardians, Parthians, Indians, and so subjected to himself the whole East.

And shall do according to his will] Whereby is noted continuation of Victories and power irresistible, and so it is applied to the Persian Monarchy, Chap. 8.4, to the Iron Romane Monarchy, Chap. 11.16, and to Antichrist, Chap. 11.36.

Vers. 4. ¶ And when he shall stand up] Whereby is no­ted the suddennesse of his fall. For assoon as ever he came to the highest, he died.

His kingdom shall be broken] Broken, before divided into four. For at first twelve of Alexanders Princes pro­miscuously brake his kingdom into many pieces, unill ele­ven yeers after his death, his kingdom became quadripar­tite.

And shall be divided toward the four windes of heaven] For then, toward the South, Ptolomeus the son of Lagus reigned in Egypt. Toward the West, Philippus Arideus brother to Alexander, in Macedonia. Toward the East, Se­leucus Nicanor, in Syria, Babylon, and the upper places. To­ward the North, Antigonus, in Asia, Pontus, and the other Provinces in that coast.

And not to his posterity] For all Alexanders Family was slain.

Nor according to his dominion which he ruled] For his successors were inferiour in extent and power, Chap. 8.22.

[Page 73] for his kingdom shall be pluckt up] That is, dissolved, di­vided, by Alexanders twelve Princes, at last to be setled up­on four.

even for others also besides those] For others besides his posterity, the four Successors, and for others also beside the four, the Romans; as it is declared in the processe of the Prophecy.

Sect. 3. The Exposition of Vers. 5, 6.

VErs. 5. And the King of the South] That is, the whole family, line, and race, of the Lagidae in Egypt, whereof Ptolemaeus the son of Lagus was the first King.

shall be strong] Among the four Successours of Alex­ander shall be eminently strong, as it appeareth by their power and victories described in the Chapter following.

and one of his Princes] That is, one of Alexanders Princes shall also be strong among the four: And this was the house and line of the Seleucidae in Syria, of whom Seleucus Nicanor was the first.

and he shall be strong above him] That is, the house of the Seleucidae in Syria shall be stronger then the house of the La­gidae in Egypt. Gras. de Antic. p. 69. For the Lagidae were commonly more weak and slothful: and the dominion also of the Seleucidae was much larger, as it is in the words following.

and have dominion: his dominion shall be a great dominion.] For the Seleucidae did possesse Babylon, Syria, and part of Asia.

Vers. 6. And in the end of the yeers they shall be joyned to­gether] For after long wars Ptolemaeus King of Egypt being weary, endeavoured reconciliation.

for the Kings daughter of the South] Berenice the daughter of Ptolemaeus Philadelphus.

[Page 74] shall come to the King of the North to make an agreement] That is, shall come to Antiochus Theos King of Syria, to make agreement by marriage.

but she shall not retain the power of the arm] For quickly was Berenice deprived of the state of a Queen, and of her life.

neither shall he continue] To wit, Antiochus Theos the husband of Berenice, being cut off by the acts of Laodice.

nor his arm] Which may be the Prince, as yet a Boy, which he had by Berenice. For after the death of Antiochus Theos, Seleucus Callinicus being Successour, killed both Bere­nice and her son also.

and she shall be given up] To wit, Berenice.

and they that brought her] For Seleucus Callinicus slew Berenice together with the company that was with her.

and he that begat her] For her father Ptolemaeus Philadel­phus also died.

and he that strengthned her] Her husband Antiochus. Or happily it is an adjunct of her father.

in these times.] So the reconciliation was dissolved.

Vers. 7. But out of a branch of her root shall one stand up in his estate] That is, one of the stock of Berenice, which succeeded into the Kingdom of Egypt after the death of Pte­lomaus Philadelphus; to wit, Ptolemaeus Euergetes, the third King of the family of the Lagidae.

which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the for­tresse of the King of the North] For Ptolemaus Euergetes came with a great army into Syria against Seleucus Callinicus then King of the North, to avenge the death of his sister Bere­nice.

and shall deal against them, and prevail.] For he subdued Syria, took Cilicia, and the upper parts beyond Euphrates, and almost all Asia. Jerom.

Vers. 8. And shall also carry captive into Egypt, their gods [Page 75]with their Princes] [...] signifieth their Princes, but according to another reading, as if it were [...], it is translated, their molten Images.

with their precious vessels of silver and of gold] For Euer­getes understanding that sedition was moved in Egypt, spoil­ing the Kingdom of Seleucus, carried away fourty thousand Talents of silver and precious vessels, and two thousand and five hundred Images of their gods.

and he shall continue more yeers then the King of the North] For the Kingdom of the Seleucidae was subdued to the Ro­mans, about thirty five yeers before the Lagidae of the South did fall in Cleapatra.

Vers. 9. So the King of the South shall come into his king­dom, and shall return into his own land.] That is, into Egypt, he himself obtaining Syria, and delivering Cilicia to be go­verned by his friend Antiochus, and the Provinces beyond Euphrates to Xantippus another Captain.

Vers. 10. But his sons] That is, the sons of Seleucus Callinicus, the King of the North, which were Seleucus Ce­taunus, and Antiochus Magnus.

shall be stirred up] By reason of Syria taken from their father.

and shall assemble a multitude of great forces] That is, se­venty thousand footmen and fifty thousand horsemen, Polyb. lib. 5.

and one shall certainly come] He saith in the singular number, one shall come, and not they, because in the very expedition, Ceraunus was slain by Nicanor: So that Antiochus Magnus came alone with his army into Syria.

and shall overflow and passe thorow] By coming he shall come, overflow, passe thorow, are phrases noting his celeri­ty, diligence, industry, multitude, and strength of forces, in his expedition. He came thus against Philopator the King of the South, Son and Successour to Euergetes. He oppressed [Page 76](saith Justine) many of Philopators Citles with a sudden war, so that he subdued Syria.

and he shall return] That is, into the Countreys taken from his father.

and he shall be stirred up even to his fortresse] That is, even to the fortresse of Philopator; for Antiochus came down with his army, even to the most fortified City Raphia, which lieth (as Jerome saith) in the entrances of Egypt, and there en­camped.

Vers. 11. And the King of the South shall be moved with choler] That is, Philopator King of Egypt shall be incensed for the losse of Syria, and for the present danger of losing Egypt.

and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the King of the North] That is, with Antiochus Magnus at the City Raphia.

and he shall set forth a great multitude] For Philopator set forth sixty and two thousand footmen and six thousand horsemen, Paus. l. 5.

and the multitude shall be given into his hand] That is, An­tiochus his multitude shall be given into the hands of Philopa­tor; which being overthrown and put to flight, Antiochus flying by the deserts, searce escaped with life.

Vers. 12. And the multitude shall be lifted up, and their heart exalted] So I translate, see Vers. 12. Isai. 2.14. and 6.1. and 2.13, 14. [...] and [...] are Synonyma. The sense is, that Philopator and his army should be proud of the victory over Antiochus.

and he shall cast down thousands] That is, the great multi­tude of Antiochus.

but he shall not be strengthned thereby] For the King of Egypt did not make use of this victory, to strengthen himself there­by. For Philopator (saith Justine) making peace greedily, took up the occasion of ease, falling back into his luxury.

[Page 77] Vers. 13. And the King of the North shall return] For Antiochus after Philopators death, restored wars against his Son, and Successour, Ptolemaeus Epiphaues.

and shall set forth a multitude greater then the former] For he gathered an uncredible army out of the upper parts of Baby­lon. Jerome. And not onely so, but in sundry expeditions.

and in the end of times and the yeers] A fatal period of yeers, as Vers. 6. The times of the inundation of the Romans over Macedonia, and Asia, to the mountain Taurus, and fatal de­clining of the Seleucidae.

by coming he shall come] That is, swiftly, suddenly, with hopes of overflowing.

with a great army, and with much riches] First, Antiochus overflowed into Syria and Judea, then against the Romans al­so, with three hundred thousand footmen, and so many more of horsemen. An army most rich in Gold, Silver, Purple, Silkes, Ivory, as Florus and Gellius do testifie. Flor. lib cap. 8. Gollius At. l. 5. c. See a great army and much riches. It is onely said, by coming he shall come with these armies, no victory expressed: to note rather a threatning of inundation, then successe. His crackling fire of Thorns was soon extinguished. The Macedonian Horn was cut off, and Asia by the Romans, even unto Taurus, in this fatal end or period of times and yeers, as it is before ex­pressed. And now the Romans having subdued the North of the Greek Empire, must be the King of the North in the Verses following.

And it is proprotionately convenient, that as the Persian Kings are not mentioned after Xerxes, Vers. 2, 3. Because under him the Greek Empire began to rise; so after Antiochus Magnus the Seleucidae should nor be described, because under him the Roman power began to rise upon this Kingdom.

Sect. 4. Of the Roman Kingdom. The first and Heathen State thereof. From Verse 14. to the 20.
The controversal part.

THe common and received opinion is, That the Grecian Kings are not broken off at the 14. Verse, but their History continued in the Verses following. And that they are continued to Verse 36. all Authours that ever I saw, do with one consent, without scruple affirm. And from the 36. Verse also to the end, some extend their description: Others say, the Roman Emperours do there succeed; others, the Pope of Rome. For the honour of Christ and of this Prophecy; for the farther revelation of Antichrist, and confirmation of the Saints, I am forced here to leave the common opinion: From which I have not wilfully and rash­ly and unreasonably departed, but upon much study and weighing of Arguments.

And first I think, that the description of the Emperours of Rome begins at the 14. Verse, reaching to the 20. which I prove by these Arguments.

First, because Amiochus Magnus was immediately spoken of before, and his History described: in whose time the Ro­man Kingdom overflowed to the Mountain Taurus. Hence I frame an Argument by congruous proportion. For if Xerxes is the last Persian King mentioned, Verse 3. because he oc­casioned the first entrance to the rising of the next Monarchy, although sundry other Persian Kings came after him. Why may not Antiochus Magnus be the last montioned of the Grecian Kings of the North, because he occasioned the rising of the next Monarchy, even to the overflowing of the Nor­thern parts of the Kingdom of Graecia? And now the Ro­man Captain having overflowed the North, and being now [Page 79]made by Conquests King of the North, who but he in the next Verses following should be King of the North? Be­sides there is no cause to pretend an abrupt introduction of a new King of the North; for he is brought in with a fair transition thus: At that time many shall stand up against the K. of the South, a time described to be [...] the end of times, yeers: A phrase arguing a fatal time of change and alteration, Verse 13.

Secondly, Because the passages in the Verses following, will not in any propriety agree to the Lagidae and Seleucidae. And in particular it cannot be shewed according to Verse 14. how many stood up against the King of the South in Antio­chus the Great, otherwise then before. Some affirm it is so said, because Philip King of Macedon made a Covenant with Antiochus: But he was not able to defend himself against the Romans: And moreover the Prophet speaketh of such a standing up of many, as was successeful to the overthrowing of the South, Judea first, and afterwards of Egypt. Others affirm it is so said, because the Jews did joyn themselves to the succour of Antiochus, Joseph. Anti. lib. 12. cap. 3. But Josephus there affirmeth, that Judea was variously caught up, sometimes for the one side sometimes for the other. Besides it is against Judea, and against the Jews, and the Egyptians, against whom many are affirmed to stand up, Verse 15, 16, 17.

Thirdly, How shall that be verified of the time of Antio­chus the Great, that the robbers of the Jews did stand up to establish the Vision, but fell? What were these robbers? What is the Vision which they did establish? How did they fall in the time of Antiochus? Some say, they were those that followed Onias into Egypt to build a Temple there, Jos. Ant. l. 13. c. 6. de bello. Jud. l. 7. c. 30. to establish that Prophecy which is written, Isai. 19.19. But how were these robbers? How was this done in the dayes of Antiochus Magnus, which Josephus affirmeth to have been [Page 80]done in the dayes of Ptolemaeus Philometer after him [...] And how did they fall in the time of Antiochus; forasmuch as this wickednesse of the Jews was not punished until two hundred and fifty yeers after? Bulling. in Dan. 11.14. Others say, that these robbers are those Jews which Antiochus took off. I finde no History shewing such a kinde of such Jews, as is here spoken off, and at this time. Junius. Rolloc. Piscator. But how to establish the Vision? That is, they say to verifie this present Vision, that prophecieth thereof. But so these words might have equally been affixed to any other part of this or other Prophecies. For all are indifferently written to be verified. Besides an end so common and gene­ral, seemeth not needful to have been mentioned, especial­ly in such a Prophecy so admirably compacted of the chief heads of substantial events. Junius turneth the word [...] to another and strange sense: as if it should signifie to make the Vision to stand, that is, to hinder it. For which Inter­pretation of the Hebrew phrase, I see no probability in re­spect of the circumstances of this place.

Fourthly, I finde not in History such a destruction of the Jews to have been made by Antiochus Magnus, as is here im­ported in these words, but they shall fall, Verse 14, and Verse 16. he shall stand in the pleasant land, which by his hand shall be consumed. For this is the proper and ordinary sense of [...] as appeareth Dan. 9.27. and 11.36. Besides, the Jews vo­luntarily yeilded themselves unto Antiochus, and therefore he prosecuted them with great favours and liberty of Re­ligion: Jos. Ant. fid. l. 12. c. 3. So far was he from causing them to fall by utter ruine, as the word doth signifie, Isai. 8.15. or from con­suming them by utter destruction. Concerning this Antio­chus, Perer. in Dan. 8. observe the words of Pererius, utterly overthrowing the foresaid Exposition. Antiochus Magnus (saith he) never hated or persecuted the Jews, never used them uncourte­ously, afflicted them not with any destruction or cala­mity.

[Page 81] Fifthly, So great a preparation, such sieges, such hostile wars against the Jews and Judea, as are described, Vers. 15, 16. are not appliable to Antiochus Magnus, to whom the Jews did voluntarily yeeld themselves, as to a kinde and courteous Governour and Protectour of them. Neither such a power is competible unto him, as is altogether irre­sistible, proposed in such phrases, Verse 15, 16. as are given to irresistible Conquerours: As to Cyrus, Chap. 8.4. to A­lexander, Chap. 11.4. to Antichrist, Chap. 11.36. For An­tiochus got and lost, got and lost, by course: Neither like a floud did he over-run the Dominions of the King of the South, but some parts onely. The phrases here proposed, seem greater and of an higher strain, then any formerly given to the greatest Conquerours.

Sixthly, It is not sufficiently declared, how upright, or just, or favourable men were with Antiochus, and for what end, and how he gave his daughter, to destroy or corrupt her; how she was the daughter of women; how he took many in the Isles of the Sea; how he so fell, that he was found no more; how the remover of the oppressour came into his place. Vers. 17, 18, 19, 20. The application of these passages to Antiochus, cannot but seem strained and forced, to a tend­er, impartial, and advised judgement.

Seventhly, The passages here attributed to the King of the North, cannot possibly but be directed to the Roman Empire. As that the Jews exalted or lifted up themselves in Rebellion against it, thinking thereby to establish and bring to effect the Vision of the Prophets: That they fell in utter and consuming destruction, as the phrases do import. No other King of the North besides the Romans, did after the time of Daniel, bring an utter desolation on the Jews, and on their Land. All the other passages also in the Verses follow­ing, will most congruously agree to the Roman Empire, as may be seen in the Explication.

[Page 82] Eightly, Antichrist or the Pope of Rome, is so plainly and so punctually described from the 21 Verse downward, that it cannot be called into question by him, that seriously and judiciously considereth it. Now the course, order, and suc­cession of the changes of the world being shewed here to Daniel, from the Persian Monarchy to the last time: It was meet, and congruous, that before the description of Anti­christ, the Roman Empire should be described, as which brought in the greatest and most famous changes that ever were before: And if it be prefixed before Antichrist, then must it here begin at the 14. Verse, or else I see not what place can possibly be found for it.

Ninthly, In the other Prophecies and Visions of Daniel, the Empire of Rome is described, represented by the Iron legs, Chap. 2.40. And by the fourth Beast with Iron teeth, Chap. 7.7, 8. As Iron breaking all in pieces, and devouring the whole Earth. Now if in these Visions it is described, and as a most notable part therein: How much more in this Vision, the greatest, largest, noblest of all the rest? Besides in those other Prophecies, the Roman Empire is described, immediately before Antichrist: And why not proportion­ably here also? Nay much rather, as hath been shewed.

The second part, containing the Explication: From Verse 14. to 20.

VErse 14. And in those times] That is, the times follow­ing Antiochus.

many shall stand up against the King of the South] That is, many by succession, Antiochus Epiphanes and his Successors: Then of the Romans, Pompey, Gabinius, Crassus, Sosius, Herod, Aug. Caesar, Vespasian, Titus, Hadrian. By the South is meant Judea and Egypt: as it is declared in the Verses following.

The conquest of Judea. Vers. 14.

ALso the robbers of thy people] Heb. [...], Violent, furious and desperate murtherers. See Isai. 35.9. Ezek. 18.10.

shall be exalted] In confidence of their strength and re­solution. Such were the Jews, especially after the crucifying of the Son of God. See Josephus.

to establish the Vision] That is, to set up the Kingdom of Israel, vainly thinking to fulfil thereby the Prophecies of the Old Testament, concerning New Jerusalem, to establish the Vision or Prophecies in all the Prophets, wherein with one consent they all foretold this great calamity of the Jews.

but they shall fall.] Heb. stumble, as in a way that seemed safe, besides expectation, Isai. 8.14, 15.

Vers. 15. So the King of the North shall come] First Pompey, then Herod, afterwards Vespasian, Titus, lastly Hadrian.

and shall cast up a mount, and take the most fenced city] Jeru­salem and other Cities, by casting up of Mounts, whereof read Josephus.

and the arms of the South] That is, the Captains of the Jews, Verse 31. Isai. 53.1. and 40.10. and 51.9.

shall not stand] That is, shall be utterly overthrown. See before Verse 6.

neither his chosen people,] That is, the common Souldiers. The Captains are stiled Arms, and the Souldiers chosen men for excellency; and yet they fell before the Romans.

neither shall there be any strength to stand.] Whereby is sig­nified an exertion of all possible strength, and therein a sink­ing under a superiour power of their enemies? He that hath heard of the History, needeth no Commentary on these words, they are so accurately fulfilled in the events.

[Page 84] Verse 16. And he that cometh against him] Against him, that is, the South, the Governours of Judea: And he that cometh, is Vespasian Titus.

shall do according to his own will] That is, save, kill, burn, sell, enslave at pleasure: So did Titus with the Jews, Judea, Jerusalem: Eleven hundred thousand perished in the City, besides those without: and ninety seven thousand sold to perpetual slavery: Judea sold, wasted.

and none shall stand before, him:] Every word hath weight: And here a new attempt of the Jews is signified under Trajan, and Hadrian: When again exerting their utmost strength, proportionately they fell before the Romans. The ruine by Titus was accomplished Anno 70. That under Trajan and Hadrian, between the yeers one hundred and fourteen, and one hundred thirty and five.

and he shall stand in the pleasant land,] The pleasant Land is Judea, Ezek. 20.6. He, that is the Roman Emperour, as Hadrian, shall stand in it, with intention of utter Conquest, Zach. 14.3, 4.

which by his hand shall be consumed.] So signifieth the phrase, Jere. 5.10, 18. And this is true of the Jews, and of Judea.

Hadrian took by Severus, fifty fortified Castles, razed nine hundred and eighty of their best Cities, slew five hundred and eighty thousand of the Jews: But of them that perished otherwise, as by famine, pestilence, sword, the number was innumerable, Judea utterly desolate.

The Conquest of Egypt. Verse 17.

EGypt in the South after Judea taken, and so it followeth.

He shall also set his face to enter into the strength of the whole Kingdom] So [...], as Verse 9. and 29. He, that [Page 85]is the Roman Captain, Pompey, and his Successours shall set his face to enter, that is, by the floud of war, after the Con­quest of Judea, shall approach as ready and about to enter Egypt also: Into the strength of his whole Kingdom, that is, In­to the strong holds, and fenced Cities, not onely of Judea, but also of all the residue of the South, even Egypt too.

and men of equity shall be with him,] So signifieth [...] according to the sense of [...], Verse 6. Men of equity, just and favourable dealers, not using rigour and extremity. Pompey was such a one after the taking of Judea, such were Gabinius and Julius Caesar.

and he shall do] By doing right as Verse 6. and dealing favourably.

and he shall give him] That is, to the King of the South, or house of the Lagidae, as Verse 6.

the daughter of women,] That is, Cleopatra, the last of the house of the King of the South in Egypt, called the daugh­ter of women because incomparable among women; for excellency of behaviour, gesture, beauty, wit, speech, elo­quence, Plut. Anton. This woman, Julius Caesar of the Romans gave unto the King of the South or house of the Lagidae, to raign, or to be Hereditary Successour in the E­gyptian Kingdom, according to equity and favourable mo­deration. But the issue and event was not successeful: For this indulgence turned in the end, and by Gods intention and direction, to the ruine of her, and of her Kingdom, and of the whole house of the Lagidae. And therefore it followeth

to the destroying of her] That is, in the event, and by Gods direction. Or the Hebrew word may signifie to the corrupting of her. For Iulius Caesar corrupted Gleopatra, and being taken with her love, indulged liberty to the Egyptians, and the Kingdom to Cleopatra. Salian. An. M. 4007. N. 25, 26, 27, 28.

[Page 86] and she shall not stand] Being vanquished by Augustus Caesar.

neither shall she be unto him] For she stood not, nor her posterity, to hold up and to continue the succession of the King of the South, or of the Lagidae: But they and their Kingdom utterly perished in her.

The Conquest of the West.

VErs. 18. So much of the Conquest of the East and South, by Pompey and his followers.

He] That is, the Roman state in Iulius Caesar.

shall turn his face] Elegantly expressed. Because proceed­ing from East to West, we turn the face.

to the Isles] That is, to the Countries on the Western Ocean, France, Germany, Spain, Britany: For these are the Isles of Cittim, Iere. 2.10. and the Isles of the Sea, Isai. 24.14. the Isles, the multitude of the Sea, Isai. 60.5, 9. whose King is called a Dragon in the Sea, Isai. 17.1. and the Western part of the Roman Empire, with the Countrie; ad­joyning, are called the Isles afar of, Isai. 44.4. and 49.1.

and shall take many.] As the Countries before mentioned, Towns and Cities, with their people innumerable therein.

The fall of the Heathen state of the Roman Empire. Verse 18.

SO far of the Conquests, whereby the Roman Empire came to its height and fulnesse. Now followeth the fall thereof. And first of the Heathen state of it: Then of the Empire universally.

[Page 87] but a Prince] That is, Constantine the Great, about three hundred yeers after Christ.

shall cause his reproach] That is, whereby the Heathen Emperours of Rome did reproach Christ and his Church for three hundred yeers, even to extreme cruelty and perse­cution. So is [...] used Zeph. 2.8. Hos. 12.14. Psal. 89, 50, 51, 52. Ezek. 36.3, 4, 5, 6, 7. signifying actively, and with concurrence of cruel persecution.

to cease from him] That is, shall cause it to cease from the Roman Heathen Emperour; so that he shall persecute the Church no more by reproachful insultations conjoyned with mercilesse destructions.

besides his reproach which he shall render unto him again] See Annot. Piscat. That is, Constantine shall not onely cause the re­proach, whereby the Heathen Emperour reproached Christ, to cease from him, but also shall recompence his reproach, by an utter overthrow. See Hos. 12.14. Nah. 1.9.

The universal fall of the Roman Empire. Verse 19.

ANd he shall turn his face to the forts of his own land] That is, to the defence of his own Land, the Roman Empire, against hostile invasion. For after the exaltation of Christi­ans, by the overthrow of Heathens, through ease and pro­sperity, they soon degenerated into errour and superstition: Whereupon enemies oppugning the Empire upon all sides, the Christian Emperour was wholly busied in defence of the Roman Kingdom, especially from after the yeer 365. and 395.

but he shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found.] For be­ing oppugned by innumerable enemies, called the Northern Barbarians, he stumbled first from after the yeer 337. to 410. then he fell from 410. to 576. and then and afterward [Page 88]was found no more, the Barbariaus having then risen as a flood over all the Western Empire.

Sect. 5. Concerning the Remover of the Oppressour. Verse 20.

The controversal part.

COncerning the next Successor of the Roman Emperour, described Verse 20. The common opinion is, that he is Seleucus Philopator. In which accommodation, I require satisfaction from the Authours in these particulars.

1. What reason or ground they can shew, why the glory of the Kingdom should be especially attributed unto him: Being rather meaner and baser, then his Predecessours.

2. Why [...] should be translated a raiser of Taxes, especially without the addition of [...] or the like.

3. If so: Why Seleucus Philopator should be the onely raiser of Taxes mentioned among the Kings of Syria.

4. How he was destroyed, or broken down, but neither in wrath, neither in battle, but by the peaceable machinati­ons and flatteries of his Successour: As it is expressed in the next Verse.

Contrarily I affirm, That this Successour is Justinian with his followers.

1. Because these succeeded into the place of the Empe­rours of the West, described immediately before.

2. Because they rose immediately before the publike manifestation of Antichrist, described in the Verse next following.

3. Because in them came in a succession in the glory of the Kingdom.

[Page 89] 4. Because these were properly [...] the Re­movers of the Oppressour: Forasmuch as they removed, expelled and subdued the Barbarians, which had invaded and oppressed the Empire on all parts.

5. Because these were properly broken down, not fun­damentally in wrath or in battle, but by the peaceable Arts, machinations and flatteries of Antichrist.

6. Because by parallel proportion it was meet, That as these being the swallowers up of the Barbarian flood, are prefixed immediately before Antichrist in the Revelation: So also in Daniel, they should be proposed in this Verse im­mediately before Antichrist, described in the next. Apoc. 12.13, 14, 15, 16, 17. and 13.1.

The second part containing the Explication. Verse 20.

THen shall stand in his place] That is, in the place of the Western Emperour.

the remover of the oppressour] So properly signifieth [...]. This phrase I confesse is commonly translated one that shall raise taxes. But I rather judge, that the phrase doth signifie one that shall remove or take away the oppressour. For if it were to be understood in the former sense, it would have been thus expressed [...] or [...], one that causeth the exactour to passe over his land or people, as Zach. 9.5. For otherwise the Verb [...] and [...] being abso­lutely used, as in this place; that is, without restraint or de­termination unto any term, by or over which or unto which the passage is made, doth properly signifie to passe away: And in Hiphil, to cause to passe away, that is, to remove. I instance in these Scriptures, 1 King. 22.24. When went the Spirit of the Lord from me? Cant. 2.11. For lo, the winter is past. Cant. 5.6. My beloved had withdrawn himself, and was [Page 90]gone. Jere. 8.20. The harvest is past and gone. Thus [...]. Proportionately [...] the conjugation in which it is used in this place, being likewise absolutely and indeterminately applyed, doth properly signifie to make or cause to passe a­way, or to remove. 2 Sam. 12.13. God hath put away or taken away thy sin. Zech. 3.4. Behold I have caused thy iniquity to passe away from thee. Heb. [...] joyned here with [...], that is, I have removed. 2 Sam. 24.10. Take away my iniquity. Heb. [...]. Esther 8.3. Esther besought the King to out away the mischeif of Haman. Heb. [...]. Zech. 13.2. I will cause the unclean spirit to passe away out of the Land. See also Psal. 119.37, 39. Eccles. 11.10. 2 Chron. 15.8, &c.

As for [...], it signifieth in a special use one that extorteth or exacteth money or tribute, to the grievance of a person. 2 King. 23.35. Zech. 10.4. And one that useth extremity in exacting debts. Deut. 15.2, 3. Isai. 58.3. Moreover generally it is applyed also to signifie an oppressour, such as the Taskmasters, Exod. 5.6, 10, 14. and 3.7. And such as the Babylonians and Philistines were to Israel. 1 Sam. 13.6. and 14.24. Isai. 9.4. and 14.2. Job 3.17. Zech. 9.5. and such as the Jews were to Christ. Isa. 53.7. Wherefore I conclude, that [...] doth properly signifie one that removeth or causeth such in op­pressour to passe away.

Now to return to the matter. The oppressour was the Barbarians, whereby the Roman Empire was overthrown and oppressed, as in the former Verse. The remover of this oppressour began in Justinian the Greek Emperour, who brake down the Gothes and Vandals, by the yeer 556. From which time forward the Empire stood renewed and restored in some degree, until the time of Charls the Great, by whom was brought in a second restauration more perfect, general, and lasting then the former, from after the yeer 768.

in the glory of the Kingdom] That is, in the similitude of the ancient glory of the Roman Empire, after it had been [Page 91]long and greatly defaced by the Barbarians. Or he may be said to stand up in the glory of the Kingdom, in opposition unto Antichrist, who at the same time stood up with him; but not as yet in the glory of the Kingdom, as it followeth in the next Verse.

but within few dayes] That is, in a short time, Apoc. 17.10.

he shall be broken down] That is, made subject and servile under the power of another King.

but neither in wrath, nor in battel.] That is, by voluntary grant and donation of his power and authority to another King; whereby he shall break down himself, and not be broken down by violent extorsion: But this is especially to be meant of the beginning and first entrance of his Succes­sour, as it is expressed in the next Verse.

The Successour was Antichrist the Pope of Rome whom Justinian first decreed to be chief of Bishops; and after­ward Phocas, willingly and without war or compulsion, de­creed in the yeer 606. that he should be Universal Bishop.

From which time forward, the Pope did so increase, that he became more forcible and powerful not onely in forrain Kingdoms, but also in Italy, then the Emperour himself. Charls the Great after the second restauration, did the like, and much more, whereby it came to passe that the remover of the oppressour being in few dayes broken down by his own voluntary concession, the Pope or Antichrist did peaceably and without wrath or battle, arise into his place.

Sect. 6. That Antichrist is described from Verse 21. downward, and not Antiochus Epiphanes.
The controversal part.

THe common opinion is, that the next Successour Vers. 21. is Antiochus Epiphanes. In which accommodation [Page 92]I require satisfaction of the Authours concerning these particulars.

1. How he was a vile person, that is, base and of low degree, to whom they gave not the honour of a Kingdom, seeing he was the lawful son of Antiochus Magnus: Who (to use the words of Graserus) was so great, even from his infancy, that then in the world known unto us, there was scarce another to be compared with him.

2. I require a sufficient reason, if this be Antiochus Epi­phanes, why as many or rather more words should be spent upon him, then were spent upon all the Kings of Syria and Egypt before him: Whereof some were far more notable in exploits then he. If any say, that it is so, because he was more notable in afflicting of the Saints: I still demand, but why are so many words spent upon these warlike exploits that concerned not the Church? Besides others before afflicted the Jewish Church not a little, and yet their affli­ctions are not here mentioned. If his persecutions did ex­ceed, yet why should the description thereof exceed so much being but short in duration, and not to be compared with those of Nebuccadnezzar precedent, or those of the Romans in the time following?

But if it be said, the Reason is, because Antiochus is de­scribed as the type of Antichrist: I answer again, That the type howsoever must be according to truth, and the words of description answerable to the things contained therein. The Holy Ghost would not represent Antichrist by a type excessively described above the verity and proportion thereof.

3. I demand, how the greatnesse of the matter and ex­ploits attributed to this King can be exhausted in so slight acts, and so little momentose as those of Antiochus Epiphanes. For he was in no war so happy, as that the phrases here ex­pressed might be proportionate unto him. He had little or [Page 93]nothing more then the meaner sort of the Kings of Syria. Gras. de Antic. pag 76, 77. Two expeditions he made into Egypt: In both at last igno­miniously repulsed. Against the Jews he prevailed indeed at first: But afterward was shamefully overthrown by Judas Macchabaeus. He advanced his Armies into Persia: But thence also was dishonourably beaten back. Can it be said of such a King, that the Arms of inundation are overflown from before him, and Princes of the Covenant? Or that he doth that which his fathers have not done, nor his Fathers Fa­thers? Verse 24. For these words are uttered of him abso­lutely, and not as restrain'd to his Egyptian exploits: And con­sequently in the simple nature and greatnesse of devastations, he is superlatively compared with all Predecessours. And how can this be verified of Antiochus Epiphanes? And as for his Egyptian exploits (to use the words of Graserus) it is manifest, That his father Antiochus did not lesse exploits a­gainst Egypt it self. Again I instance in Verse 25, 26. where a mighty and extraordinary war is attributed to the King be­fore described, to the overflowing and breaking down of the Kingdom of the South; How can this be applyed to Antiochus Epiphanes in respect of Egypt? Into which he en­tred twice, and with short and little momentose successe: Being both times at last ignominiously repulsed: The first time, by the Captains of Ptolemaeus; the second time, by the onely words and command of the Roman Embassadour Popi­lius. And I instance in the phrase mentioned Verse 25. that the King of the South did not stand by reason of him, that is, was overthrown and his Kingdom dissolved, as the phrase is used, Verse 15, 16. Chap. 8.4. How will that also be applied to him Verse 27. That his end should be at a time appointed? As if his victorious overflowing continued un­til a certain period of times. How that also Verse 28. that from the Conquest of the King of the South, he is said to return with great substance, to do and return to note a con­tinuation [Page 94]in prosperous successe, in going and returning with­out repulse. Again, that Verse 29. that his second expedition was not prosperous as the first: whereby is signified that the last being unprosperous, the first was prosperous: whereas in the former expedition of Antiochus he had a repulse by the Captains of Ptolemy, as Nauclerus expresseth, and in the latter he seemeth to have done more then in the former. And if [...] be Ships Verse 30. shall the Ships of Cittim come against him, because Popilius came Embassadour in a Ship? Wherefore I conclude, that the greatnesse of the stile and of the warlike exploits here spoken off, cannot be exhausted in the petty wars of Antiochus Epiphanes: Neither the cir­cumstances of this Prophecy can be verified in the circum­stances of his exploits.

4. I demand, who is the Prince of the Covenant, Verse 22. called the Holy Covenant Verse 28, 30, 32. which by this King is said to be overflown and broken down: And how, and in whom it is applyable to Antiochus Epiphanes. Some say, he is Seleucus Philopator King of Syria; Others, that it is Ptolemaeus Philometor King of Egypt; called the Prince of the Covenant, by reason of the Covenant which Antiochus made with them. But he cannot be Seleuens be­cause according to the Supposition of the adverse opinion, his raign and end was dispatched in the 20 Verse precedent, and accordingly supposed broken down without wrath or battle: Whereas such a Prince of the Covenant is here spoken off, as existed after the King described Verse 20. and also opposed the vile person his Successour, being overflown and broken down by him in wrath and battle. Neither can he be Ptolemaeus Philometor: For how was he overflown and broken down by Antiochus? How again could either he or Seleucus be called the Prince of the Covenant: For this is not a phrase usual or suteable to signifie a confederate. Gras. in [...]an. 9. pag. [...]36. 239. And if (saith Graserus) the Prince of the Covenant did here sig­nifie [Page 95]the Prince of the Confederacy, yet can it not be ap­plyed to Seleucus or any other, in comparison with them that are joyned in equal Covenant together: seeing a Prince of such a Covenant, is properly such a Prince, which is the Authour and chief maintainer thereof, Adde to this, that the Prince of the Covenant is not here the Prince of a Con­federacy, nor Confederate: But a Prince, that is a defender and maintainer of the Holy Covenant, as it is expressed in the Verses following: And therefore cannot agree unto Seleucus or Philopator, or any other Heathen or Heretical Governour.

Graserus being convinced by these Arguments, to avoid the aforesaid interpretation, declineth to another extremity. For (saith he) [...] in this place is adversary: And the mean­ing is, That the Arms shall be overflown by him, and he shall also be an adversary of the Covenant. But not to speak of the harshnesse of the context in such an Exposition, the word [...] is ever in Scripture used in the signification of Prince or Governour, never of adversary: And therefore this opinion needeth no farther confutation.

Lastly, if it be said, that Antiochus overflowed the Prince of the Covenant, in subduing and destroying of the Jews: I answer by demanding, Lyranus. Who this Prince of the Covenant is among them? For not onely the people of the Holy Covenant are understood, but the Prince thereof in special manner. After his tyranny against the Jews and their San­ctuary, Judas Macchabaeus arose Prince of the Jews, and ra­ther overflowed and brake down Antiochus, then was broken down by him.

5. What should I speak of the great afflictions of the Church by sword, flame, captivity, and spoil, and that for many dayes Verse 33. at certain gusts succeeding after in­terruptions? The Church now and then rising and preyail­ing Verse 32, 33, 34. and then at certain fatal revolutions set [Page 96]by God, exposed again to fire and sword, Verse 35. How can these passages be exhausted in the narrow and short per­secutions of Antiochus?

6. The King here spoken of, is said to set up the abomi­nation of desolation, Verse 31. Which by our Saviour is expressely referred to the times coming after his first com­ing, Matth. 24.15. and therefore he cannot be Antiochus Epiphanes.

7. The persecutions of this King are expresly said to last [...] to the time of the end Verse 35. that is, to the last time, the time of the downfal of the Turk, Verse 40. of Antichrist, Verse 45. The time approaching the Resurrecti­on, Chap. 12.1, 2, 3, 13. The time of the full Revelation of these Mysteries, Chap. 12.4. and 8.17, 19, 26. and 10.14. Therefore he cannot be Antiochus Epiphanes.

8. Antiochus cannot be spoken off Verse 36. and thence forward, as Graserus and Brightman have demonstrated: Whence I conclude, that he cannot also be Antiochus in these Verses immediately before. For all these Verses are joyned together in perfect uniformity, without any note or shew of diversion or transition to any other King: Whereas in pas­sing to distinct Kings in kinde, transitions were before used, as Verse 20, 21. But besides Verse 36. Antichrist is called [...], the King, as spoken of before, and with expresse re­ference to a precedent part of his description: and therefore if it is Antichrist described in that Verse, it is Antichrist de­scribed in these before, and not Antiochus Epiphanes.

9. The King here spoken off from Verse 21. downward, ariseth into his Kingdom manifestly and fully after the fall of the Roman Empire, as hath been shewed in the precedent Verses: And therefore he cannot be Antiochus, who existed many hundred yeers before. Wherefore neither can he be disposed and complicated with Antichrist as the Type with the Antitype: Forasmuch as the words of a Prophecy must [Page 97]be verified of the Type, as well as of the Antitype, to con­stitute a ground of representation: And commonly in such kinde of Prophecies, the Type is more plainly and directly expressed, the Antitype closely involved in the History of the Type; Whereas we have shewed, that the main passages of this Prophecy are unapplyable to Antiochus Epiphanes. Besides, Antichrist is not closely involved, but is the direct and immediate subject of this Prophecy: as may be cleared by the contrary application of the former Arguments. For,

First, he entreth his Kingdom in publike and manifest ap­pearance, after the fall of the Roman Empire, Verse 21. and after the rising of the Remover of the Oppressour Verse 20, and 21. taking possession of his Throne, power, and autho­rity: therefore he is Antichrist.

Secondly, the manner and matter of this description, is exactly the same with the description of the little Horn, who undoubtedly is Antichrist. This may appear by comparing Chap. 8.9. with Chap. 7.7, 8. whereby it is manifest, that the little Horn, Chap. 8. is the same with the little Horn, Chap. 7. which arising in the fourth Kingdom, is question­lesse Antichrist. Then by comparing in particular, Vers. 22. and 21. with Ch. 8.9. Ch. 11.35. with Ch. 8.17, 19. Ch. 11.23, 24, 25, 33, 34. with Ch. 8.9, 10, 24, 25. Ch. 11.31, 32. with Ch. 8.11, 12.

Thirdly, because it is Antichrist, that persecuteth the Church, till the time of the end, Verse 35. with Ch. 7.25. and 12.7.

Fourthly, because it is Antichrist that is spoken of Vers. 36. and he is the same spoken off in these Verses going be­fore, as being [...] the King, with reference to the same that was spoken of before: and distinguished by no particle or note of transition.

Fifthly and lastly, all the passages that cannot without forcing and straining of the Text be applyed to Antiochus [Page 98]or any other, will most properly agree to Antichrist; such as these, to be a mean or low person, Verse 21. to enter into his Kingdom by flatteries, to spoil and destroy more strangely then his fathers, or fathers fathers, Verse 24. to overflow the Arms of inundation Verse 12. and the Prince of the Covenant: By a mighty army to break down the King of the South, Verse 25. and by deceit the Professours of the Holy Covenant, Verse 23, 29, 33. to set up the abomination of desolation, Verse 31. to persecute the Church for many yeers, and by successive gusts, and unto the end, Verse 32, 33, 34, 35. These and all the other circumstances, do most precisely agree unto Antichrist, as may be seen in the parti­cular Exposition.

The second part containing the Exposition.
Sect. 7. The Description of Antichrist in general.

VErse 21. And in his place] That is, in the place of the Remover of the Oppressour, Justinian and his fol­lowers, and in their Throne at Rome.

shall stand up a vile person] That is, Antichrist, the Pope of Rome, Isai. 53.3. Psal. 22.7. called vile, that is, of low rank and reputation, as being indifferently and promiscuously advanced out of igno­ble parentage: As also in respect of the meannesse of his primitive estate before Constantine, at which time he was onely a poor Minister having no Princely dignity, neither chosen or called thereunto. He is also vile in respect of cor­rupt estate spiritual, Isal. 15.4. in doctrine and manners.

and they shall not give unto him the glory of the Kingdom] For they gave him indeed the Ecclesiastical Dominion, but as for [...] Verse 20. and [...] Vers. 21. the glory of the Kingdom, that is, the Secular Dominion, the [Page 99]Regal Majesty and external splendour of the Empire, they refused to yeeld it unto him for a long time. For the Empe­rour yeelded not secular preeminency, till after the time of Hildebrand.

and he shall come in peaceably] That is, without war, Verse 20. by a peaceable donation of Ecclesiastical Dominion.

and he shall strengthen the Kingdom by flatteries] So [...] being entred peaceably, he shall afterward aspire by flatte­ries unto the sublimity and perfection of his Kingdom: Flat­teries, Heb. [...] or [...] Verse 32. That is, fal­sities smoothed over with fair pretence of verity, Isai. 30.10. called [...], 2 Thes. 2.11. the effectual working of deception, denominating the Antichristian false Prophets, [...], 2 Tim. 4.2. such as speak lies in Hypo­crifie, that is, lying doctrines covered over with shews of truth, with intention to deceive. These were among the rest, That Christ had given all power to Peter, Peter to the Pope; that therefore Emperours, and Princes, and People, were bound in conscience to subject themselves to his in­fallible, and uncontroulable decrees. By these and such like flatteries, he gradually and insensibly wrought his authority into the mindes of unskilful Christians, until in Hildebrand he had subjected the secular powers, the Emperours and Princes of the West.

Sect. 8. The Popes two wars in general. Verse 22, 23, 24.

ANtichrist coming to the mature state of his Kingdom in Hildebrand, his speciall wars began about 20 years after. The first against the Turks and Sarasins on this fide Euphrates: The second, against the Waldensian Protestants: Both properly the wars of Antichrist, the one in the East, the other in the West; both very great as ever any were; both [Page 100]like and equal in quality and quantity, as Thuanus sheweth; both about the same time succeeding one another, and pre­sently following the maturity of Antichrist in Hildebrand, proposed in the words immediately prefixed.

Verse 22. And the arms of inundation] That is, the Sul­tans of the Turks and Sarasins, which about the time of Hildebrand had made an inundation over Asia, Syria, Judea, most cruelly persecuting the Christians there inhabiting.

shall be overflown from before him] That is, by the Christi­an Princes and People of the West at his decree, and in sub­jection to him.

and shall be broken down] For by these Western expediti­ons of the Christians, a great part of the Turkish Kingdom on this side Euphrates was broken down, many thousands of them slain, and Asia, part of Syria, and Judea recovered.

and also the Prince of the Covenant.] The Covenant is the the Holy Covenant of the Gospel, Verse 28, 30, 32. This Prince of this Covenant, by an Enallage of the number, are the Princes of the Waldenses, the defenders thereof. An­tichrists first war against the Turks and Sarasins began An. 1096. The second, against the Princes of the Holy Cove­nant 1209. the former war yet lasting: Wherein those al­so were overflown and broken down, but in manner as fol­loweth. First, Antichrist prevailed against them by force and strength, from An. 1209 to 1218. afterward perceiving, that he prevailed not thereby, he turned to deceit, as in the next Verse.

Verse 23. And by reason of the joyning of themselves unto him] That is, neerly and strictly, and faithfully, as his Ab­bots, Legats, Bishops, depending on him as their head.

he shall work deceit] To wit, by them. Or rather thus, By reason of the joyning of themselves unto him, that is, By rea­son that the Waldensian Princes should put themselves into the company of Antichrist as his Instruments, upon pro­mise [Page 101]of fair treaty: Antichrist shall take advantage through deceit, and put them under hatches, and so subdue them and their Countreys. So it came to passe as the History doth shew.

and shall come up and prevail by a small people] For a small people was sufficient to take in the Waldensian Countries, by peaceable composition. See Hist. Albin. pag. 2. b. 2. c. 7, 8. But when by deceit he had once brought them under hatches, he persecuted them to utter destruction. I use not many words in accommodation of the event, because of the admirable concordance of the History. See Dan. 8.25.

Verse 24. He shall enter by peace] That is, by pretence of peaceable composition as before. See Ch. 8.25. Psal. 55.20.

both upon the fattest places of the Province,] Observe, the Waldensian Countries are stiled Provinces, not Kingdoms; and their Governours Princes, not Kings, Verse 22. and so it was. The Province of Tolouze was theirs, and a few o­thers; and the Earl of Tolouze, the Earl of Beziers, the Earl of Foix, the Earl of Comming and Prince of Berne were their Governours. Upon their Countreys Antichrist is said to enter; first the fat places, secondly the strong holds. The fat places, to note his desire of spoil and prey.

and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fa­thers fathers] For the like havock of lives and goods even in continuance, and time of peace and cold blood, and in so narrow a circuit of place, was never known or heard off in any age before.

he shall scatter among them] That is, among the Bishops and cruel Harpyes, the Monks Inquisitours.

the prey, and spoil, and riches] For this end was so palpable in the managing of this persecution, that for a man to have been rich, was enough to accuse him for an Heretique. Hist. Wald. p. 1. b. 2. e. 1. & 2. p. 7, 8, 9.

and he shall also forecast his devices against the strong holds,] For he took the strong holds, Castles, and fenced Towns, [Page 102]by deceit and pretence of peace, Aist. Al­ [...]ing. c. 2. [...]. 2. p. 120, [...]30. as also the History doth ex­pressely manifest.

even for a time] For the time of his power and indigna­tion is set and determined Verse 36. over a time, two times, and half, he shall not passe. See Chap. 12.7. and before this, the gusts of his rage are limited, and there is a time of re­spiration to the Church, and of staying the Oppressour, Chap. 11.32, 33, 34. and 9.25, 26.

And thus much of the Description of Antichrist and his wars in general; now followeth a more special and particu­lar Description. See the like form of proceeding Chap. 9.24.

Sect. 9. The particular description of the War of Antichrist against the Turks and Sarasins.

VErse 25. And he shall stir up his power] Heb. [...] A­waken it. His power, was the power of the Christian Princes and People of the West: His power being mighty, but not in his own power, Chap. 8.24. He stirred up or a­wakened it, by a most effectual oration made before them, first at Claremont, An. 1095. Afterwards by his Preachers in all the Countreys of the West, whereby he did incredibly inflame them to the war against the Turks and Sarasins, for the recovery of the holy Land.

and his heart] That is, great affection.

shall be against the King of the South] That is, against the Sultans of the Turks and Sarasins, who had overflown the South, Paul. Ae­myl. the holy Land, with a great army, Six hundred thousand Foot, and One hundred thousand Horse. But be­ing consumed by sword, famine, pestilence, they were great­ly diminished, beside the parting of the Army: And there­fore the hostile army is proposed in greater terms.

[Page 103] and the King of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great, and mighty army] For Solyman Sultan of Asia, Paul. Ae­myl. in vita Phil. f. 77.6. first opposed with an incredible multitude: Then Cassianus and Corbanas in Syria with an host innumerable: Lastly, the Ca­liph of Egypt with Three hundred thousand. See Verse 22. Chap. 8.24,

but he shall not stand] For he was broken down by the armies of Antichrist: The three Kings subdued: Solyman in Asia, Gassianus in Syria, the Egyptian Caliph in Judea. The first, by passing to the South from Nicea, to Lycia, Pam­philia, Cilicia: The second, to the East, even to Edessa: The third, to the pleasant Land, Chap. 7.8. and 8.9, 10. But policy and treason opened the way to these victories, as it followeth.

for they shall forecast devices against him.] For the Christian Captains made passage for their conquests by politike de­signes, plotted with the native and domestick Christians of Asia and Syria, from Nicea forward: Without which they had not conquered the enemy, as the History doth accurate­ly and expressely shew. See Paul. Aemyl. Jere. 49.30. Ezek. 38.10. Esth. 8.5, 3. and 9.25.

Verse 26. And eating of the portion of his meat, they shall break him down] So I translate according to the Hebrew verity. And this was done at Antioch, where the Christian army of Antichrist under pretence of truce and peaceable commerce, and table-society, plotted designes against the Turk with Hemirpherrus the Scribe of Cassianus, whereby they brake him down.

and his army shall overflow] Way being made by fore-cast­ing of devices, from Nicea forward, his army overflowed Asia. Afterward in Syria at Antioch, making way by pre­tence of peaceable commerce, and table-society, the army forthwith prevailing, overflowed into all parts, like a torrent running over.

[Page 104] and many shall fall down slain.] For of the army for Solyman in Asia were slain fourty thousand: of the army for Cassia­nus in Syria, above one hundred thousand: of the army for the Egyptian Caliph, about the holy Land, above one hundred thousand: besides ten thousand in Antioch, ten thousand in Jerusalem, and many more in other times and places.

Verses 27. And both these Kings hearts] That is, the heart of Antichrist in his Captains of the West, and the Turkish King with his people.

shall be to do mischief,] That is, to mischief one another, by what means they can.

and they shall speak lies at one table] That is, pretend favour, and intend mischief, in commerce of speech, and table­society.

This was done (as hath been said) at Antioch, the head City of the East, the main stay of hope and refuge to the Turks, on the taking or losing whereof the issue of this war fundamentally depended. See Paul. Aemyl. There the Western host, and the Turks within, being both brought to the last extremity, Paul. Ae­myl. f. 85.6. made truce: During which, the Turks usually came into the camp of the Christians, and again the Christians among the Turks, as it were in a faithful com­merce of peace, as the Historian speaketh: In which kinde of society, the adverse parts usually eat and drink together. But in this commerce they spake lies, intending really to mischief one another. For Cassianus pretended this truce as a pledge of yeelding: But under this pretence, he sought the utter ruine of the Christian army, by the expected host of Persians. Boemund also with the Christians on the other side, under colour of this friendship and society, plotted de­signes of treason with Hemirpherrus, which also with admi­rable opportunity he accomplished, taking Antioch before the coming of the Persians. The army by this occasion pre­vailing, forthwith overflowed into all parts. Or it may be [Page 105]another project is here signified after the taking of Antioch. So the Communion of the Pope by his Legats may be un­derstood that which he had with the Egyptian Caliph, with whom they staying a certain time, intended their own ends; and the Caliph also under pretence of a firm Covenant, be­ing altogether disposed to work mischief, took advantage thereby of catching away Judea from before the Latines, and so of making frustrate so far as he could, their hope of going forward after the taking of Antioch. Read Paul. Ae­myl. fol. 85.

but he shall not prosper; for yet the end shall be for the time ap­pointed] For Antioch was taken, and afterward that and all the Country lost again by the Pope. Also the Egyptian Ca­liph being afterward overcome by the Latines, lost Judea, Verse 40. And both Pope and Mahomet shall come to their full end at last.

Verse 28. Then shall he return into his Land] For after Conquest of Asia, Syria, Judea, a great part of the Popes army joyfully returned.

with great riches] Got in the Tents of Corbanas, and from the Sarasins at Askelon in Antioch, Jerusalem, as the History doth shew. Paul. Ae­myl. l. 4. in fine. Caeteri preceres (saith one) domum rever­tere, pleni gloria, & divitiis.

and his heart shall be against the Holy Covenant.] As his heart was against the Turks abroad, Verse 25. so against the Holy Covenant at home. This is the Gospel, and it comprehend­eth all the Ordinances of Christ, Isai. 24.4, 5. Psal. 25.10. and 44.18. And Antichrist here is said to be against the Covenant, by labouring to subvert the Ordinances of Christ, and to set up his own Antichristian devices and a­bominations Vers. 31. which now he wrought more effectu­ally then ever before, after the over flowing of the Turks, as the History doth shew. For Paschal the second and Calli­stus so promoted the Kingdom and Errours of Antichrist, [Page 106]that by the yeer 1122. he attained to his full and perfect swinge, in the actual execution of his Antichristian devices. See Char. Chron. Myst. Iniq. p. 280, &c. p. 289, 290.

and he shall do, and return to his own Land] That is, against the Turks and Sarasins, as appeareth Verse 29. various ex­peditions of the armies of the Pope are signified: Whose custome was to do and return, do and return, to their own Land. Their doing short, sudden: their returning quick, hasty: both frequent and various.

Verse 29. At the time appointed] Which I take to be the yeer 1146. and thence forward, to 1291.

he shall return and come toward the South] Against the Turks and Sarasins by various and potent Expeditions.

but it shall not be as the former, even so the latter] Or it shall not be as at the first, even so at the last. See Deut. 13.9. Dan. 8.3. Isai. 24.2. Gen. 18.25. Deut. 1.17. and so it came to passe. From the foresaid time forward, God blasted these latter Expeditions, even until the Kingdom of Jerusalem was lost, and the Christian forces utterly expelled.

Sect. 10. The particular Description of the second War of Antichrist, against the Waldenses and the Albingenses.

VErse 30. And the inhabitants of the waste places of Kit­tim] Kittim is Italy, or rather more generally the Countreys of Europe. Gras. de Antie. p. 457. And [...] not [...] doth never signifie ships, but properly the Inhabitants of waste, desert, or thirsty places, Isai. 13.21. and 34.14. with Luke 11.24. Isal. 23.13. and the word is applied to the Saints, Psa. 72.9. and 74.13. These are the Waldenses, that inhabited the waste and desert places, whereabout they rose at first, and where­in they retired themselves to escape the rage of Antichrist: The Alps and Pirenean Mountains were their habitation. [Page 107]They were hidden also in the Wildernesse spiritually, Apoc. Morn. Myst. Iniq. p. 327.328. 12.6, 14. and 17.3.

shall come against him] By the spiritnal sword, from the yeer 1160. by the material sword also, from the yeer 1209.

therefore he shall be sore grieved] So signifieth [...], from the root [...], and it noteth excesse or an extreme degree of sorrow, such as vexeth inwardly, and bewrayeth it self by dejection of countenance, Psal. 109.16. Prov. 15.13. such as consumeth the body, and causeth the flesh to pine away, Prov. 17.22. such as is desperate and intolerable, Prov. 18.14. And such was the sorrow of Antichrist for the un­prosperous successe: and the greatnesse of his sorrow is signified for two causes, his unprosperous successe against the Turks and Sarasins, Verse 29. and the rising of the Wal­denses, Verse 30. Usser de sue Eccles. pag. 261. And for the former cause Pope Lucius and Urban died for grief, neither could the latter lesse afflict him.

and shall return] That is, from the Turkish war; for he immediately converted his forces from the Turks and Sara­sins; upon the Waldenses: And the duplicity of his war is implyed in that he is said to do by course, going and return­ing from the one unto the other.

and have indignation against the Holy Covenant] An in­dignation furious and tending to destruction, so [...] Zeph. 3.8. Isa. 30.27. Cumres ex animi sententia non succederet, Cont. 13. cap. 2. p. 12. l. 1. (saith one) Papa indignatus, alterum gladium pro suo more vi­brat. First, his heart was onely against the Holy Covenant, Verse 28. The Waldenses arising in defence thereof, his de­sire striketh down into deep sorrow, Verse 30. Lastly, hope of victory coming on, his deep sorrow ascendeth upward into a furious indignation: His indignation is vented on the Waldenses, by a destroying war, but properly (as it is here said) against the Holy Covenant in them.

and he shall do and return] The manner of the war of his [Page 108]Souldiers of the Crosse is described, as before against the Turks: Their various and frequent expeditions, with short dispatch and quick returnings. See Hist. Albin. pag. 2. This war began in the yeer 1209. By sundry expeditions the holy people were cruelly destroyed, until the yeer 1 [...]18, when they recovered themselves, and prevailed: Neither could the Pope any more by force prevail against them. At length by deceitful and fraudulent devises, in the yeer 1229, he op­pressed them utterly, and scattered the remainders of them, and being scattered he endeavoured to consume them by persecutions. And this is the second means whereby Anti­christ came unto the perfection of his Kingdom, as it may be proved by two Arguments. First, because of those three means Chap. 8.9, 10, 11. the first of them whereby Anti­christ grew up unto the Mahometans, is set immediately be­fore this Verse: But the third means whereby he grew up to the Prince of the host of Heaven, by taking away the daily sacrifice, is set immediately after, to wit Verse 31. and there­fore the second of those means, whereby he grew up to the army or host it self, to wit the Waldenses and Albingenses, is put between. But it is necessary that it should be inter­posed in this Verse 30. and expressed in the words before described, or else it must needs be altogether omitted. The second reason is, because his indignation arising against the holy Covenant, by the occasion of the Insurrection of the Albingenses inhabiting the deserts, and declared by doing and returning, as before it hath been said in the description of the war against the Mahometans Verse 28. must properly and naturally be expounded of the war and persecutions intended against the Albingenses.

and he shall have respect to them that forsake the holy Covenant.] So [...] is expounded with [...] following Verse 37. These that forsake the holy Covenant, are the Antichristian apo­states, the Princes and people of the West, as also the [Page 109]Princes of the Albingenses, which had revaulted from their Faith: Whom Antichrist (the Albingenses being now op­pressed in the yeer 1229.) forced to take utterly away the daily Sacrifice, to wit, by a fuller and more perfect aposta­cy, as it is declared in the words following.

Verse 31. And arms shall stand for him,] That is, the Em­perours, Kings and Princes of the Christian world shall stand for Antichrist or on his side: at his instigation falling into a more full and absolute apostasie.

and they shall pollute the sanctuary, the strong hold] That is, the Temples or places of worship.

and they shall take away the daily sacrifice,] That is, the true doctrine, and worship instituted by Christ.

and shall set up the abomination making desolate.] That is, Antichristian idolatries and superstitions, corrupt doctrine and unlawful worship. The same which was begun from the beginning of the 1290 dayes, Dan. 12.11. Now the Albingenses being oppressed was brought unto perfection; as it is expresly declared in the History of the Waldenses and Albingenses. Hist. Albing. boak 2. chap. 7. at the yeer 1229.

Vers. 32. And such as do wickedly against the Covenant, shall he corrupt by flatteries:] Or, he shall cause them to play the hypo­crites, by reason of flatteries, To wit, by reason of the de­ceiveablenesse of iniquity, 2 Thes. 2.10. Or, by the entice­ments of riches, pleasures and honours, and by the baits of liberty and immunity, he shall draw them to hypocrisie, and unto consent in Apostatical Religion.

but the people that do know their God, shall prevail and do great things.] For the Waldenses themselves being scattered a­broad, by little and little increased, propagating the Gospel; and a little after, Wickcliff and his followers arose, and the Hussites in Bohemia, restoring the doctrine of the Waldenses, and both by the Word and War prevailing and doing great things.

[Page 110] Verse 33. And they that understand among the people, shall instruct many] By converting many out of Antichristianism; which was done especially since the standing up of Luther, to wit, in Germany, Helvetia, Swedeland, Denmark, France, Low-Countreys, England and Scotland.

yet they shall fall by the sword, and by the flame, by captivity, and by spoil for certain dayes] So [...] without [...] and so in most of the foresaid Countreys, the Saints oppressed for a time with short afflictions, did suddenly arise triumph­ing into a state of liberty and security; which is so cleer and commonly known, that it hath no need of farther Declara­tion out of History.

Verse 34. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help] That is, with a help little in its own nature, in­firm and despicable in the eye of flesh. So it came to passe in Germany, France, Flanders, England and Scotland, as appear­eth out of Histories. The Reformers in Germany holpen by weak means, arose at last in the yeer 1555. In England they arose in the yeer 1558. the next yeer in Scotland; and a little after in France, and the Low-Countreys, they arose also from weak beginnings, and by mean strength, after short gusts of persecution.

but many shall cleave to them by flatteries.] That is, many prophane persons and hypocrites, and many false brethren of the faction of Antichrist, shall adjoyn themselves unto the reformed Saints coming out of the mystical Egypt and spiritual Babylon: as a mixt company went forth with the Jews out of Egypt temporal, Exod. 12.38. And as in the re­turn out of Babylon temporal many were adjoyned, that mar­ried strange wives, whose children spake partly the Lan­guage of the Jews, and partly the Language of Ashdod; also many that had secret intelligence with the enemies, and favoured traitourously their designes. Now by reason of the Conjunction of such persons, the Holy Ghost seemeth [Page 111]to intimate, that the Reformed Church in its first and im­perfect state should be in part impure: So that the sound brethren should need purgation by affliction, and the false brethren should come to be purged out and separated by judgement, after that the Church should be overgrown with bryars and thorns by reason of the long continuance and prevailing of them, which is also expressely declared in the next Verse.

Verse 35. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to refine among them, and to purge, and to make white,] The end of their afflictions is signified, the purification of them in man­ners and doctrine.

even to the time of the end, because it is yet for a time appoint­ed.] The affliction and fall of them, and their purgation thereby, hath hit herto continued by several kindes and de­grees and gusts of persecution: The last part thereof shall be the three dayes and half, and there withall shall expire the one thousand two hundred and ninety dayes of Antichrist: And this is the time of the end here spoken off. See Verse 40.

Sect. 11. The controversal part upon Verse 36. and downward.
The opinion of. Junius and others is oppugned, holding that it is Antiochus Epiphanes, whose Description is continued from Verse 36. to the end.

GRaserus and Master Brightman confute this opinion by sundry Arguments. He that desireth a larger discourse, let him read Graserus himself. In the mean time, from the said Authour, I will transcribe these following Arguments, with a little addition.

1. That phrase Vers. 36. he shall do what him lists, is usually [Page 112]applied to irresistible and uncontroulable Monarchs, Verse 3, 16. Chap. 8.4. and cannot be applied to Antiochus, over whom the Romans were so imperious, that at the threatning look and command of the Ambassadour Popilius, he was forced to retire out of Egypt, and leave his prey. Adde to this, that he was inwrapped with many difficulties at home.

2. Neither will that phrase agree unto him, Verse 37. He shall not regard the god of his fathers. For Antiochus did not onely worship or seem at least to worship Jupiter Olym­pius and Xenius, which were the gods of his fathers: but also ordained games for the honour of Liber pater and Her­cules himself, 2 Maccab. 6.1, 7. He endeavoured also to thrust upon the Jews the Idols of Grecia, and cruelly aven­ged their contempt. Piscater alleadgeth on the contrary, 1 Macc. 1.43. But there it is not said that he left his own gods, the gods of his fathers: But rather the contrary, that he commanded other people, together with himself, to worship the same gods of his fathers, which he himself did.

3. Neither will that phrase agree unto him, Verse 37. neither shall he regard the desire of women, women being here of the plural number: A disregard of the desire of women in general is understood: which cannot agree to Antiochus, who was an husband, had children, was careful of them, 1 Mac. 6.2. 2 Mac. 9.25. Josephus, l. 12. c. 14. Piscator saith, This phrase agreeth to Antiochus, because he would not per­mit his own Wives (whereof one served the god of Israel) to worship any other god save Jupiter Olympius. But be it so: How is this among the marvelous things, Verse 36▪ It is a more common note then that it may serve to cha­racterize him. It might have been as well said He did not regard the desire of men, or the desire of his subjects. A­gain, If one of his Wives did serve the god of Israel onely, why is it said The desire of women in the plural number? [Page 113]And why [...] of women, and not rather [...] of his wife? And it is not likely, that the worship of Jupiter did crosse the desire of his heathen wives? Besides, what matter of moment was it to the Church, to know how Antiochus did carry himself toward his wives? Lastly, it is women in ge­nerall, whose desire the King here spoken of, is said to dis­regard.

4. Neither will that agree unto him, vers. 37. Neither shall be regard any god, but he shall magnifie himself above all. How can this agree unto Antiochus, who by one question and command of Popilius, was expelled out of Egypt; whom also the Maccabees resisted unto his face, and brought unto despair.

5. Neither that, vers. 38. He shall honour a god, whom his Fathers knew not, and a strange god, vers. 39. Junius will have this strange god to be the Idol of the Samaritans, which An­tiochus called Jupiter Xenius, 2 Mac. 6.2. But Jupiter Xenius was indeed an Idol of strangers, but no strange god, Gras. de Antic. p. 252. Joseph. Antiq. l. 12 c. 7. 2 Mac. 6. being most known unto Antiochus his Fathers. For Seleucus Nica­nor sacrificed unto Jupiter, Paus. l. 1. And Antiochus himself promoted the worship of Jupiter by all possible means, aven­ged the contempt and neglect of him.

6. How did he cause men to rule over many, and divide the land for gain? vers. 39. seeing he possessed little more then the Kingdom of Syria: and if he possessed any other for a time, he was from thence cast out again; being repulsed from Egypt, and likewise from Persia, and his men overthrown and cast out of Judea by Judas Maccabeus and his brother. 1 Mac. 6.

7. So great, so formidable, and so victorious an expedition as is described, vers. 40. cannot be attributed unto Antiochus Epiphanes; no History maketh mention thereof. The Patrons of this Opinion will have it to be the third Expedition of Antiochus into Egypt; proving a third from vers. 29. but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter: whereas there is nothing spoken of Antiochus, as hath been shewed; and the [Page 114]Particle Vau is used onely by a Pleonasme, to this effect, That the latter Expedition should not be successfull as the former. So the phrase is used, Isa. 24.2. Gen. 18.25. Deut. 1.27. And whereas Junius assigneth this third Expedition to Antiochus, in the last year of his Raign save one, against Ptolemaeus Philo­metor King of Egypt, it cannot be for these Reasons.

First, because his ground is false; For because that Flor [...]s and Zonaras do say, That Ptolemaeus expelled his brother Physcon; therefore Junius imagineth, that Antiochus favoured Physcon, and thereupon took occasion of a third Expedition into Egypt: whereas the foresaid Authors do mention no such thing. And the consequence is not probable: for as much as the contrary would rather follow thus, The Bre­thren in Egypt were at variance, therefore they feared not Antiochus, as being imployed otherwise. For Zonaras affirm­eth, That in the second Expedition of Antiochus, they per­ceiving his craft, were reconciled.

Secondly, Antiochus could not think of such a third Expe­dition, 1 Mac. 6. 2 Mac. 3.29. in the last year of his Raign save one: By reason of the Rebellion of the Jews, and Tumults beyond Euphrates, and his Treasury exhausted, and the danger of provoking the Romans, by one question of whose Ambassador he had been lately expelled out of Egypt.

Thirdly, if he in a third Expedition subdued Egypt, Lybia, Ethiopia, vers. 42, 43. by so strange and so victorious an inun­dation, as is here described; why was he then so cast down in Babylon, at the hearing of the successes of the Jews? 1 Mac. 6, 7, 8. The greatnesse of such fortune would have swallowed up so small a discomfort.

Fourthly, 1 Mac. 3.32. 34, 39. and 4.35. Hist. An. p. 307, &c. in the last year of his Raign save one, he went into Persia with half his Forces: another part committed to Lysias, to oppose the Jews therewith, by whom he was also overcome. Of his Egyptian affairs, not a word in History.

Fifthly, the Holy Ghost speaketh here of the taking of [Page 115] Egypt, as in the way and in the passage onely.

Sixthly, the King of the South is first said to oppose the King of the North: whereas Antiochus was not provoked by the King of Egypt, vers. 40.

Seventhly, Justine, l. 34. saith, That Antiochus, after he was cast out of Egypt by Popilius, in his second Expedition re­turning into his Kingdom, there dyed, leaving a yong Son behinde him. Of a third Expedition neither speaketh Justine one word, but rather contradicteth it, as in the words allea­ged. Neither is a third mentioned by Josephus, Livy, Florus, the Authors of the Books of Maecabees, who yet expresly name his second Expedition, 2 Mac. 5.1. The description of Daniel argueth a subduing of many and mighty Nations. Could all these Historians omit so notable an Expedition in the History of Antiochus, if any such had been?

Eightly, it is not likely, that Daniel should end this prophe­cie in Antiochus; seeing the calamities of the very Jewish Nation ended not with him. Neither can the foresaid Expe­dition be attributed to the successors of Antiochus, being meaner then he.

Ninthly, how did Antiochus subdue all other Nations and countries about Judea, save onely Edom and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon? As if those three were also his Enemies, whereas they were his helpers.

Tenthly, this being the greatest and most noble Prophecy in Daniel, it is reason that it should comprehend as much as the former Visions did; which ended in the Roman Empire and Antichrist: And therefore this cannot end in Antiochus Epiphanes.

Lastly, it cannot end in Antiochus and the Grecian Empire, because it is extended to the standing up of Christ in the last time, and the Resurrection of the dead, cap. 12.1, 2, 3, 13.

Sect. 12. The second Exposition of the same part, from V. 36. downward, according to the Opinion of Mr. Brightman.

VPon these grounds Gratserus and Mr. Brightman renoun­cing the former exposition, turn themselves another way; Mr. Brightman by the King spoken of, v. 36. understandeth the Roman Empire in general, including first the heathen Em­perours to v. 40. their actions about the Jewish Church, and in honour to the true God. Then v. 40. he saith, the ruine of the Empire is described; first, by the wars of the Sarasins, un­der the title of King of the South; then by the wars of the Turks, under the title of King of the North. Against which Exposition I propound these difficulties following:

First, how did the Roman Empire before Antichrist, disre­gard the desire of women? v. 37. Answer is made, Because the Emperors children were not made Successors in the Em­pire, according to the desire of their mothers; Successors be­ing promiscuously chosen, according to the pleasure of the Souldiers. But it is expresly said, that The King shall not regard the desire of women, v. 36, 37. which, if it be spoken of the Ro­man Empire, must especially respect the Emperour thereof. But how can it be imagined, that the Roman Emperor should not be willing, and desire to have his children Successors in the Empire? Though the Souldiers did otherwise, what is this to the desire of the King? And why should the preferment of children in the Kingdom, be called in so generall and remote a description, The desire of women? & why the desire of women rather then the desire of men? and of the children themselvs?

Secondly, whereas it is said, that He shall honour the god of strong holds, and the god which his fathers knew not; it is thought, that in these words one onely God is signified, and this the true God of Israel: But the true God it cannot be, because this King is said to honour this God; but contrarily, to advance himself, and speak great things against the true God, which is [Page 117]the God of gods, vers. 36. cap. 7.25. cap. 8.25.

Thirdly, if these victorious wars and conquests, described v. 40. should be the Turkish wars, and no more said of the Roman Empire, then the Prophecy of the Roman Empire should be begun and not ended, Antichrist not mentioned; the end of the Turk proposed, not of the Roman Empire; and this Prophecy should be unproportionable to all other which speak especially of Antichrist, and of his end.

Sect. 13. That the King, whose Wars are described v. 40. is Antichrist, I prove by these Arguments following.

1. BEcause the History of Antichrist being so largely set down before, it is consonant that his end should also be set down, the causes, manner, fore-runners of it; which would not be, unlesse the Expeditions following belonged unto An­tichrist.

2. The Expeditions following, are in revenge of the push inferred by the King of the South; and therefore they be­long to him that was pushed at by him, which is Antichrist, immediately spoken of before.

3. The Author of these Expeditions, is the King of the North; and the King of the North before mentioned, is Anti­christ, as appeareth by comparing v 15.20, 21, 25, 36. c. 8.9.

4. It is not probable, that it should be said, that the King of the South should push at Antichrist, and no more added of his war, a diversion following to the History of the Turks.

5. The Expeditions here spoken of, are in the time of the end, v. 40. when the standing up of Michael is at hand, c. 12.11. and what are those famous wars in the time of the end, those great & last attempts against the Church, v. 44, &c. spoken of in other Prophecies, but those that are attributed to Antichrist?

6. The fall and last wars of Antichrist, are more nota­ble and more needfull to be known, then the wars and [Page 118]downfall of any other King; and therefore it is not likely that the last war and downfall of another King, should be here described, and Antichrists pretermitted.

7. Daniel in all his other Visions and Prophecies, doth ex­actly and accurately set down the fall of Antichrist, c. 2. c. 7. c. 8. c. 9. and therefore it is not likely, that in this Prophecy, being the largest and exactest of all the rest, he would con­ceal it; which yet he should conceal, if these Expeditions were not his.

8. His end, vers. 45. and the end of his wonders, c. 12.5. is at the end of a time, two times and a half, c. 12.5, 7. which is the term of Antichrist his raign, as appeareth, c. 7.25. with Apoc. 12.14. and 13.5, 6.

Sect. 14. The other part, containing the Exposition of v. 36. and downward, to the end of the Chapter.

FRom v. 36. to v. 41. Graserus hath expounded this Pro­phecy of Antichrist, with whom I do consent for the greatest part. But afterwards he turneth to Allegories, far fetcht, remote and unnaturall to this Prophecy of Daniel. For in all the Prophecy foregoing no such course hath been observed: But I conceive, there will be no need to flye to such uncouth Interpretations, for the cleering of the Pro­phecy; as shall appear in the Processe of the Exposition.

Of the Characters of Antichrist.

Vers. 36. And the King] that is, Antichrist spoken of before.

shall do what him list] arrogating power above Law, con­trary to Law, beyond Law, 2 Thess. 2, 3, 7. Dan. 7.25.

and shall exalt himself, and magnifie himself] contrary to Christ, who humbled himself, Phil. 2.7, 8.

[Page 119] above every god] that is, all that is called god, Kings and Magistrates, 2 Thess. 2.3. Joh. 10.35. Psal. 82.6.

and he shall speak] that is, Magistrally, Doctorally, as an independent Law-maker in things spirituall.

marvellous things] That is, Errors of an high nature, against the Offices and Worship of the Son of God, with great pride and presumption, and in a marvellous strain of Scholasticall profundity. See c. 7, 8, 25. c. 8.23, 24, 25. 2 Pet. 2.8. Jude 16. Apoc. 13.5. 1 Tim. 4.5.

against the God of Gods] Christ, Michael the Prince of Princes, c. 12.1. and 8.11, 25. Apoc. 1.5. and 17.14. Psa. 89.27. How this is done, is declared, Verse 31, 37; 38, 39. c. 8.11, 12. and 7.25. by nullifying his offices, removing his Laws, Worship, setting up his own devices and abomi­nations.

and shall prosper] As c. 8.11, 12, 24. whereby is noted a continuation with prosperous successe, in this his insolent presumption.

untill the indignation be accomplished] That is, untill the end of Antichrist his raign and persecution, Verse 30. with c. 12.7.

for an accurate determination is made.] To the end of a time, two times and half, 1260. dayes, 42. moneths, c. 12.7, 11, 12. and 7.25. Apoc. 11.2. and 3. and 12.6, 14. and 13.5, 6. See Isa. 10.22, 23. and 28.22. Dan. 9.27.

Verse 37. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers] That is, he shall not regard Christ, regarded by the Apo­stles, in the way of his Ordinances: but he shall not regard him, that is, not deny him absolutely, but slight him, in changing his Ordinances at his own plaesure.

nor the desire of women] Heb. [...] the lawfull desire of women, that is, marriage, which he regardeth not; that is, lightly esteems in all, forbids to the Clergy, as it is foretold, 1 Tim. 4.3.

[Page 120] nor regard any god] For he advanceth himself above the Civill Magistrate, despising Government, 2 Pet. 2.10.

For he shall magnifie himself above all.] above all orders and kinds of Government; First Ecclesiasticall, for he shall not re­gard the god of his fathers. Secondly, Oeconomicall, for he shall not regard the lawfull desire of women. Thirdly Politicall, for he shall not regard any god. And in all these he regardeth not the god of his fathers, because his fathers the Apostles regarded and preached the offices of Christ unto the world, Apoc. 1.5. the lawfull use of Marriage, Heb. 13.4. and obedience to the Magistrate, Rom. 13.1.

Verse 38. But in his place] That is, the place of Christ.

he shall honour the god of Temples] so [...], as Verse. 31. that is, the Saints, to whom the Temples are dedicated, and images set up therein. This god, Antichrist is said to ho­nour: which is a generall word, comprehending all degrees of religious worship, [...].

and a god whom his fathers knew not] That is, the grand Idol in the Masse, the breaden god, a god not known or heard off, muchlesse acknowledged by his Fathers the Apostles. Or else all the Idols of Antichrist in generall are signified here­by: for they were all unknown to his fore-fathers the Apo­stles.

shall he honour] bowing, kneeling, cringing, knocking of the breast before it, yielding divine worship to it, and con­secrating to it things of price, as in the next words.

with gold, and silver, and precious stones, and pleasant things.] For with these in offrings and ornaments, Antichrist honor­eth both the god of Temples and the breaden god, setting a great part of his divine honour in externall pomp and lu­stre and earthly magnificence. His golden Images, guil­dings, coverings of gold, pleasant paintings, consecrated vessels of gold and silver, vestments and copes set with gold, silver, pearl, adorned with pleasant works, are abundant witnesses hereof.

[Page 121] Verse 39. And he shall do in the munitions of Temples with a strange God] That is, with the Idols before declared, which are kept and worshipped in those muniments or strong holds, to wit, in those strong and stately edifices. The par­ticle [...] doth sometimes signifie as much as [...] or in, not on­ly to or for. But how in those strong holds or Temples he shall do with a strange god, it seemeth to be cleerly shewed, Verse 31. to wit, by polluting the sanctuary the strong hold, and by taking away out of it the daily sacrifice, and by setting up therein; namely, In the said sanctuary the strong hold, the abomination making desolate, which is the strange god here spoken off.

whom he shall acknowledge, he shall encrease with glory, and he shall cause them to rule over many.] That is, whom Antichrist shall see and acknowledge to be faithfull unto him, and de­fenders of his idolatries, he shall make them to rule over ma­ny both in Church and Common weale. For (to use the words of Bullinger) he createth and confirmeth Kings, con­stituteth Princes, ordaineth Bishops, Doctors and Prelates of the Church, neither doth he constitute any other through the world, but such as sweare to be for him and his Religi­on. Whence, and happily more truly, the said Bullinger translateth the words after this manner: which whosoever shall acknowledge, even as the Antichristian Princes and Prelates do, those Antichrist shall encrease with honours, and shall cause them to rule over many.

and he shall divide the land for gain.] For as the same Au­thour addeth, lands of all kinds, Collations, Offices, Pre­bends, Places of government, and most ample riches in the Land, he bestoweth upon that kind of people only: But he bestoweth the same as a reward of their faithfull service, and yet not altogether freely, but for gain also, receiving some part of the benefice bestowed.

Sect. 15. A Repetition of the wars of Antichrist. v. 40.

BY reason of the description of Antichrist, repeated from Verse 36. his wars here seem also to be repeated: And for this cause also, that by a certain order and methodicall course, the Prophet might descend to the describing of his utter destruction.

Verse 40. But in the time of the end, the King of the South shall push at him] The time of the end in the larger sense is with Daniel that time when Antichrist began to ascend to a notable increase of his power and Kingdom, as from the times of Charles the Great, and more fully from the times of Hildebrand, as it is expressely said, Chap. 8.17. Yet in a stricter sense, the time of the end is that time wherein the yeers of Antichrist are finished, Chap. 11.35.45. The King of the South by an Enallage of the number, signifieth the Mahometan Kings and Princes, whether of the Sarasins or Turks. The Sarasins first fought with Antichrist from the yeer 840, and by little and little, other causes also together adjoyned, inflicted on him his deadly plagues, whereof men­tion is made, Ap. 13.3. Machiah. Flor. Hist. That plague or deadly wound was by little and little healed, the Sarasins being cast out of Italy and Sicily, and more yet by that expe­dition into Africk against them in the yeer 1087. Sigon. and lastly more perfectly by that great expedition against the Turks and Sarasins in the East, about the yeer 1097. The wound was also healed, in the overthrow of all other ene­mies, through the successefull atchievements of Otho the Great and his followers. Now by those expeditions, and especially by the last against the Turks and Sarasins in the East, the King of the North, that is, Antichrist, rushed a­gainst the Mahometans like a whirlewind, with Charets and Horses, and with great fleets or with many ships, and over­flowed [Page 123]flowed and passed thorow. At length he came into the Ho­ly-land (as they call) or into Judea, called the pleasant land, many Countries falling under him. He came into the Holy­land, at the last term of his inundation: Seeing that he touched not the land of Edom, nor the land of Moab, neither the beginning of the children of Ammon, that is, not so much as the first or outmost borders of them. Wherefore these, and not the other Countries adjoyned, did Antichrist sub­due. Or happily the land of the children of Ammon is called [...] the beginning, in relation to the land of Moab and the land of Edom: Because among those three Countries, the land of Ammon did lye next unto the North, as a begin­ning of the Countries, first obvious to the Latines coming from the North. So that although the land of Ammon as a beginning of the other Countries, did first lie open unto Antichrist, yet it is affirmed that it should escape out of his hands: The Holy-land only subdued and taken out of the hands of the Infidels, which was the main thing intended in this expedition:

Furthermore it is added, that Antichrist should not only subdue the Countries, but also should stretch forth his hand upon them, and pillage them and carry away the spoyls of them, Verse 42, 43. and so indeed he did in the foresaid ex­pedition. And in this respect, as also in respect of overthrow and slaughter the land of Egypt did not escape, Verse 42. For in the last proceedings of this first expedition, to wit, at Ascalon, he had power over the treasures of gold and sil­ver, and over all the pleasant things of the Egyptians, and of the Lybians and Ethiopians alse, which are wont to be joyned with the Egyptians in wars, 2 Chro. 12.2, 3. Ezek. 30.5. Ier. 40.9. I conceive, that first and great expedition of Anti­christ here only to be described, which was ended or accom­plished in the foresaid victory over the Egyptians. In that last victory (saith Paulus Aemylius) more then a hundred [Page 124]thousand of the Egyptians, and of other Nations either sub­ject to them or confederate with them, such as the Lybians and Ethiopians are wont to be, as hath been said, are reported to have been slain. So great prey was taken there as was not taken before, though all the battles in this war that went be­fore were put together. So (saith he) the Turkish war being ended, the Egyptians being slain, a yoke being put upon the East, the Nobles returned home full of glory and riches. So before to the same effect, Verse 26.28.

Verse 44. But tidings shall trouble him from the East] when afterward the Turks and Sarasins were loosed, having recover­ed themselves. So Verse 26.

and from the North.] By reason of the insurrection of the Waldenses and Albingenses, Verse 30. Hence Antichrist grie­ved and troubled, went forth with great wrath to destroy many, to wit, of the Waldenses, Verse 24, 30. Chap. 8.24, 25.

Verse. 45. And he shall plant the Tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious and holy mountain.] Not be­tween two seas, but seas: because in the Countries border­ing on the Mediterranean and Ocean seas, where the Church was seated, signified by the glorious and holy mountain, he erected his Kingdom, oppressing the Waldenses, Verse 31, 32. But shortly he shall come to his end, the yeers 1260 being expired.

CHAP. 12.

VErse 1. And at that time shall Michael stand up] That is, Christ, Apoc. 12.7.

and it shall be a time of trouble] the time of the sixth seal, se­venth trumpet, seventh vyall, Apoc. 16.18.

and at that time thy people shall be delivered.] For now shall be the Kingdom of Saints, wherein they shall dwell in [Page 125]safety, their enemies rooted out in the space of 45 yeers, Verse 12. and the elect remnant of them converted, Joel 2.32.

Verse 2. Many.] That is, all, Rom. 5. or because then ma­ny shall rise to life, and many to shame. Thus the generall resurrection is compounded with the last plague on Anti­christ, Verse. 12, 13. Apoc. 11.18.

Sect. 16. Concerning the times or years set down, Apoc. 11. and 12. and 13. Dan. 7. and 12. &c.

IN this businesse three things are to be orderly dispatched; First, we must search out the Characters of the beginning and ending of these years. Secondly, we must shew, that it is possible, needfull, yea, required that by the Characters of their beginning and ending we should search out their ac­commodation. Thirdly, I will endeavour to accommodate them by the direction of their Characters according to the measure of knowledge wherewith the Lord hath hitherto been pleased to enlighten me.

The Characters of their beginning, are these. The begin­ning of the two witnesses to prophesie in sackcloth, Apoc. 11.3. the beginning of giving up the holy City into the hands of the Gentiles or Nations to be troden under feet, Apoc. 11.2. The beginning of removing the daily sacrifice; and of sec­ting up the abomination to make desolate, Dan. 12.11. The beginning of the working of Antichrist, Apoc. 13.5, 6. Dan. 7.25. and of his rising among the ten horns, Dan. 7.8. Apoc. 17.12. the fall or casting down of the heathen Dragon, and begining of the Dragons flood by way of revenge, and of the womans being in the wildernesse, and the beginning of sub­version of the Christian Emperours, Apoc. 12.5, 6, 8, 13, 14, 15. But in speciall I urge foure Characters of the be­ginning [Page 126]of these years, three whereof are set down together, Apoc. 12.13, 14, 15, 16. The first, the utter extinction of the Dragon in the heathen Emperours, v. 13. The second, the flight of the woman, the Christian Church, into the wilder­nesse of spirituall and temporall desolation, v. 14. The third, the rising of the Flood of the Northern Barbarians, v. 15. The fourth, the beginning of Antichristian Idolatry.

The Characters of their ending, are these: To accomplish to scatter the power of the holy people, Dan. 12.7. An end of Antichrists raign, in changing the Laws, and wearing out the Saints of the most high, Dan. 7.25. Apoc. 13.5, 6. The rising of the Church from under the persecutions of the beast Apoc. 11.3, 7, 11. The beginning of the Kingdom of the Saints, and of new Jerusalem, Dan. 7.25, 26. Apoc. 11.11, 12, 13, 14, 15. The ceasing of the conculcation of the holy city, Ap. 11.2. The ceasing of the Two Witnesses prophecying in Sackcloth, Apoc. 11.3. The ceasing of the desolation of the Church, Dan. 12.11. and of the Womans hiding in the wil­dernesse, Apoc. 12.6, 14. The bringing in of everlasting righ­teousnesse, defaecation and purgation of the Saints, Dan. 9.24. And concerning the time of the end of forty five years after the foresaid years, it is said, Dan. 12.13. But go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and stand up in thy lot at the end of the dayes.

I come now to the second point intended; to shew that it is possible, needfull, yea required, that by these Characters we should search out the accommodation of the years. But here a great difficulty doth arise, which in the first place must be removed. For our Saviour in his answer to the Apostles, asking the time of the restoring of Israel, saith, that It was not for them to know the times and seasons, which the Father hath put in his own hands, Act. 1.6, 7. Whereby he seemeth to sig­nifie, that the exact time and year of the restoring of Israel, that is, of the beginning of the Kingdom of the Saints, and [Page 127]destruction of Antichrist, is hidden and unknown, and not to be made manifest to man. If this be so, then either the foresaid years are not determined for the bringing in of this effect, contrary to that which hath been shewed: or else they are so at least proposed in Scripture, that yet they shall never be searched out, nor known by man, untill the end is fully come. Again, Matthew 24.36. our Saviour having spoken of the last time, wherein the Enemy shall be destroyed, and the Kingdom of the Saints arise, verse 29, 33. subjoyneth, But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the Angels of Heaven, but my Father onely. Which is also farther amplified and confirmed by that which followeth, v. 37. For as the dayes of Noah, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be: For as in the dayes before the Flood, they did eat and drink, &c. and knew nothing, till the Flood came and swept them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be: Which the Apostle Paul confirmeth also, 1 Thess. 5. 1, 2, 3. But of the times and seasons (Brethren) ye need not that I write unto you: For you your selves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night; For when they shall say Peace and safety; then shall come upon them sudden destruction. Whereunto may be added that which is said of the last afflictions of the Church, Psalm 74.9. We see not our signs, there is not one Prophet more, nor any with us that knoweth how long. Lastly, the uncertainty of the time is made by Christ an argument to stir us up to watchfulnesse, Luke 12.40. Be ye therefore ready also, for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. So Mark 13. verse 35. Watch ye therefore, for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at Even, or at Midnight, or at the Cock-crowing, or at the Morning, lest coming suddenly, he finde you sleeping. And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch. So Matthew 24.42. Wake therefore, for yee know not what hour your Master will come.

[Page 128] For answer unto these Scriptures, I say as followeth; First to Act. 1.6, 7. that it was not for the Apostles or any of that age, to know the time of the restoring of Israel; yet neverthe­lesse it is for them to know it that live in the last age. The Father also hath reserved it in his own power, howbeit in re­spect onely of superiour ages, from which he purposed to conceal it; not in respect of the last age, whereunto he pur­posed to reveal it. So in like manner, it was not for Daniel to search and understand the time, two times and a half at the end whereof the Kingdom must begin to be set up; howbeit these times are to be unsealed to the last age, about the time of the end, as it is expresly said, Dan. 12.7, 8, 9, 10. Unto that, Mat. 24.36. and the other passages annexed, I answer two wayes; First, as for the wicked, the day, the hour, the time, the year, is to be hidden from their foreknowledge. And this our Sa­viour intendeth, when he compares the times of Noah, and when he saith, that day should come upon them as a snare, and the like. See 2 Pet. 3.3, 4. Mat. 24.37, 39. 1 Thess. 5.1, 2, 3. For Noah did foreknow the year of the Flood, though the wicked did not, Gen. 6.3. and so in the last times the Saints shall understand, when none of the wicked shall understand, Dan. 12.10. Secondly, as concerning the Saints, our Saviour doth not simply and absolutely deny unto them the fore­knowledge of the time; for he knew that the time was to be revealed to his Saints, near unto the end, Dan. 12.4, 10. But he denyeth it onely to the Saints present, and far distant from the end; to whom it was to be unknown, Dan. 12.4, 9, 10. And for this end, lest the long distance should cause security; therefore our Saviour doth accordingly propose the time, as for the present hidden, and maketh use also of the end for which it was hidden, by dehorting from security, and stirring up to watchfulnesse. But as for the Saints of the last age, the foreknowledge of the end cannot occasion unto them secu­rity, to whom it is not far off, but rather watchfulnesse, be­cause [Page 129]it is near. And therefore as in the time of Christ, the Saints were to be stirred up to watchfulnesse, because the time of the end was unknown: so now they are to be stirred up to watchfulnesse, because the time of the end is known. Being then far off; and therfore if known, apt to hinder watchfulnes: Now near; and therefore by knowledge apt to cause it.

Unto Psal. 74.9. first it may be questioned, Of what time the Psalmist speaketh. Secondly, If he speaketh of the last time; then either of those, unto whom the light of the Pro­phesies hath not yet fully shined: or in comparison with precedent times, when they had Prophets extraordinarily and immediately sent unto them: whereas now they should have none such, but only mediate and ordinary teachers, de­livering conjecturall interpretations of numbers mystically involved. Thirdly, the complaint may be, not of the want of knowledge simply, but of the losse and great slaughter of the teachers, by whom knowledge of the times was manifested.

Lastly, although the uncertainty of the time is made by Christ an argument to stir us up to watchfulnesse, yet this hindreth not, but that the yeer of the end or at least the pro­pinquity may be known to the Saints in the last age. For the time was absolutely uncertain to the present age wherein Christ spake; and therefore unto it, the absolute uncertainty of the end might and ought to be applied, as a provocation and incentive unto watchfulnesse.

Sect. 17. Arguments to prove, that the foresaid years are possible and ought to bee searched.

FIrst, the foresaid years are possible and ought to be sear­ched, because revealed in the word Joh. 5.39. Search the Scriptures, Rom. 15.4. Whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

Secondly, because those years are parts of that prophesie, [Page 130]and of those things to come, which God the Father gave un­to his Son, to send and shew unto his servants, Apoc. 1.1. Christ did not send to shew the matter without the sense: but that it should be understood: therefore we must search to understand.

Thirdly, because it is said of all the prophesie, and conse­quently of the times therein contained, blessed is he that rea­deth, and they that hear this words of this prophesie, Apoc. 1.3. And it is not a livelesse reading and hearing without un­derstanding, which is here spoken of: For such a reading maketh not blessed, Acts 8.30. Besides, it is such a reading as may be the rule of practise, and therefore it is added, and keep those things that are written therein, and consequently it must be with understanding.

Fourthly, to come neer, our Saviour alledging the prophe­sie of Daniel, concerning the abomination of desolation, whereby the foresaid times are declared and characterized, Dan. 11.31. c. 12.11. addeth with all [...], let him that readeth understand. The same speech is applied to the 70 weeks of years, which determine the same events with the years above mentioned: know therefore and under­stand, Dan. 9.24.

Fifthly, as the time of the end is neerer at hand, so the prophesie, and consequently the times included are to be un­sealed, Dan. 12.14. Apoc. 22.10. and 1, 3.

Sixthly, I argue expresly from Dan. 12. where the time, two times and halfe being proposed, Verse 7. and Daniel pro­fessing he understood not, Verse 8. an answer is given, Verse 9. that the words were sealed up till the time of the end, that is, untill the last time immediately before the end, as the phrase is used, Apoc. 11.7. Therefore in the time immediate­ly before the end, those words are to be unsealed, which is farther proved by Verse 10. Many shall be tried, made white, and purified, but none of the wicked shall under­stand, [Page 131]but the wise shall understand. And it is farther con­firmed by the Verse following, where what they should un­derstand at that time in particular, is more fully signified and from the time (saith the Angel) that the dayly sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination making desolate set up, shall be 1290 dayes.

Seventhly, I argue from the end intended in setting down these years, which was (as learned Napier speaketh) to pre­vent security, and move unto repentance. The knowledge of the end (saith he) hath been concealed from former ages, to prevent security: but it is to be revealed to the last age, to move unto repentance. For these ends then the foresaid years are now to be searched, and understood, and to su­stain us also in the time of the end, the foresaid years are to be unsealed, Dan. 12.4. And so our Saviour expresly sub­joyneth, Mat. 24.21, 22, 23, 24, 25. behold I have told you all before. For to know that it must be so in such a time, and how short the affliction shall be, will be a stay and comfort to our faith, that it faint not, Mat. 24.22. Psal. 74.9.

Sect. 18. The conclusion, Chap. 12. vers. 4.

VErse 4. But thou O Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book even to the time of the end] Therefore these my­steries were to be hidden from the ages before the time of the end, and in the time of the end only to be revealed.

many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased.] That is, by meditation searching to and fro to find out the mysteries: Or, by travailing to and fro, as the Waldenses, to and learn propagate the truth, knowledge shall be multi­plied on the earth in the last time.

Verse 5. Behold two others.] These seem to be the types of the two witnesses, asking of Christ, who is that man clothed [Page 132]with fine linnen; the knowledge of these mysteries in the last time to be revealed.

Verse 7. After a time, two times and halfe a time] a time is a yeer, Dan. 4.20. which in propheticall use containeth 360. dayes: whence three times and an half do contain thrice 360. dayes, and also one half part thereof, that is, dayes or in use propheticall yeers, 1260. as it is expresly declared, Apoc. 12.6, 14.

and when he shal accomplish to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.] This is, to shew that the end of Antichristian persecution shalbe at the end of the 1260 yeers.

Verse 9. And he said, go thy way Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.] Therefore the fore­said mysteries, especially those about the times of Anti­christ, God intended to conceal and hide for a certain time, and only to reveal the same in the last time. And unto this place our Saviour seemeth to have respect when he saith, That no man knoweth the day and hour, not so much as the An­gels of heaven, but the Father only, Mat. 24.15, 36. and when he saith, It is not for you to know the times, which the Fa­ther hath put in his own power, Act. 1.7. wherefore Christ exhorted the present age, that they would be watchfull, be­cause they knew not the time of the end: forasmuch as it was to be hidden from the former ages, least the long di­stance of the time being known, should hinder the duty of watchfulnesse. But in the time of the end, whereof see Chap. 11.40. it seemeth that it is to be revealed: Not unto the world, on whom the end shall come as a thief in the night, especially the last part of the last time: but unto the Saints, which by the propinquity of the time shall be stirred up to watchfulnesse. Napier saith a little otherwise, affirming that our Lord speaking of the hiding of the last time, speaketh of the day properly so called, not of the yeer, which he saith is to be revealed. But the Author of the key Apocalypticall, [Page 133]doth insinuate upon chap. 5. that the mystery of the times was not revealed to our Lord himself as man, before his Ascen­sion; and that therefore he spake thereof, as of a thing to be unknown: But he addeth, that after his glorification he received of the Father the knowledge of this mystery, and revealed it by his servant John unto the Church. Let the Reader consider all, and hold that which is most right.

Verse 10. Many shall be purified, made white and tried] to wit, many of the witnesses of truth, by the persecutions of Antichrist, Chap. 11.35.

but the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.] For they which have not received the truth with love, shall think the Antichristi­an lies to be reall truths, 2 Thes. 2. Dan. 11.32. and in the time of the end they shall be secure as in the dayes of Noah, Mat. 24. but the witnesses of truth and the reformed Saints shall understand the mystery of Antichrist, and the time of the end also.

Verse 11. And from the time that the dayly sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination of desolation set up.] That is, from the time when first the true Doctrine and worship insti­tuted by the Son of God shall begin to be removed, and He­resle and Idolatry shall begin to be solemnly set up in the Christian Church, making it desolate spiritually and tempo­rally.

shall be 1290 dayes.] by 30 dayes this number exceedeth the 1260. whereof, Verse 7. and therefore they must begin 30 yeers before the same.

Verse 12. Blessed is he that waiteth and cometh to the 1335 dayes.] In this space of 45 yeers, there will be the spring of the glorious state of New- Jerusalem: the Summer thereof shall follow after in the heavenly and immutable condition. The resurrection of Daniel, and consequently of all the dead, is described in the next verse. So v. 2. Apoc. 11.18. and 20.11, 12.

Sect. 19. Concerning the numbers of the yeers.

THere are two wayes to accommodate the yeers. I will propose both, and leave the Reader to determine.

The first way.

Either the very dark and weak begining of the signes men­tioned, do set the term of beginning to the years: or else the more evident, open and perfect state thereof. The weak and dark beginning of the signes, was before the year 400. the more evident, open and perfect state thereof, about the year 600. I know no other way but these two. For the former way these Arguments do stand.

1. Immediatly after the rising under Constantine, the per­secution of the Dragon forced the woman into her place in the Wildernes, which must especially be the Arrian persecu­tion, and she came to her place in the state of a Wildernes Spiritual through Arrianisme, especially about the year 360. and afterward through Antichristianisme, especially from about the year 390; and therefore here we may six the be­ginning of the time, two times and half, according to Apoc. 12.13, 14.

2. The years begun at the time, when the true Doctrine and Worship is solemnly taken away, and Heresie and Ido­latry making the Church a Wildernes set up, Baron. ad an. 359. num. 110. & ad an­num 360. num. 1. Dan. 12.11. This was done by Arrianisme about the year 360. Baron. annal. Gildas Hist. the seeds of Antichrist and Antichristianisme then also hiddenly concurring. The Church was in the way of flight and separation gradually before, but came not through Arrianisme to her place in the state of a Wildernes untill this time, as hath been said: and therefore here may fitly be the beginning of the greater Number, to wit, 1290. But about the year 390, the Doctrine and Worship was so­lemnly corrupted by Antichrist, and Antichristianisme set [Page 135]up, and Idolatry then and not before had its beginnings: and therefore here may fitly be the beginning of the lesser Num­ber, to wit, the years 1260 or time, two times and half. Sy­ricius seemeth to have bin the first Antichrist, signified by the Star that fell from Heaven, Apoc. 8.10. from whence (as it is most probable) the decretall Epistles first began, who arro­gated and made great way for Dominion over all Church­es, Mornae. Myst. pag. 50, 51. Tit. cult. sanct. n. 7. & 10. p. 90, 93. Tit. Ima­go. p. 78. and first established the Law of an unmarried estate among the Clergy, which is the Character of Antichrist and Anti­christianisme, Dan. 11.37. and brought in the commemo­ration of Saints into the office of the Church after the manner of the Heathen Worship, and thereby encouraged the invo­cation of Saints, which together with other Idolatry, began to be in use between the year 380. and 400. as Mr. Perkins in his Problems hath clearly shewed. Now if Idolatry came in between 380. and 400. then about 390. And Syricius did all this about the year 390. I make little matter, that I cannot set down the precise year thereof exactly, seeing Syricius be­gan but about five years before to be in the seat of the Pope, and the holy Ghost seemeth not so much to look at the nice­ties of numbers as alwayes to expresse the few broken pieces: but looketh especially at the perfect and round number, which is the number decadical, and so the number 390. may be set down for the beginning of that which happily in some degree began three or four years before. See Corn. a Lap. up­on Ezek. 29.12.

3. The years begin at the coming in of the Barbarians, which are the primitive ten horns: And as Arrianisme came to its strength about the year 360. so the Barbarians began at that time effectually and successively to break in upon the Empire, judgement answering unto sin. The Persians made the first onset, and in the issue took away five Provinces from the Roman Empire; and the bank being thus broken down, Ammia­nus. the whole flood of the Barbarians followed after, from about [Page 136]the year 364. After the year 378. there followed a cessation of the Arrian Heresie and Persecution, and therewithall a ces­sation of the irruptions of Barbarians for about ten years; and then the Antichristian Heresie and Idolatry succeeding from about the year 390. the inundation of the Barbarians came in afresh again, with a new and stronger beginning: So that from this time forward it could be no more interrupted, but continued and increased untill the Empire of the West was utterly dissolved. [...]alvis. Cro­pl [...]ad ann. 89. For the cruell Barbarians from the North came in irresistibly upon Britainy from about the year 390. and horrible intestine wars following in the residue of the Em­pire, and making way for these Barbarians, and also for the rest, about five years after, namely, from about the year 395. the Gothes and all the other Barbarians followed, and entred into the whole Empire irresistibly. So having divided the Empire into the ten Kingdoms, they corrupted the Church more then before; and lastly, subjected their Kingdoms openly unto Antichrist and to his Laws. So then the effe­ctuall irruption of the Barbarians, beginning at 360. and again afresh at 390. do also from the former term set a beginning to the years 1290. and from the latter term set a beginning to the years 1260. Now that the years must begin at the coming in of the Barbarians, and dissipation of the Empire, it may ap­pear from these considerations:

1. It is very probable, That Antichrist arose in the coming in of the Barbarians, and dissipation of the Empire. So ex­presly Serez the Author of the French History, a man indif­ferent and impartiall, and of whom we have no cause to think that he looked at any other end in his Discourse, but onely the reality of the thing in it self, without respect to the Accommodation of the years. And thus he writeth, fol. 2. Damasas, Syricius, Anastasius Innocentius, Sosimus and Bonifa­cius, Bishops of Rome, lived there one after the other, amidst the confusions of the Empire, and even at Rome: whereas [Page 137]the Emperors were seldom seen; so as the absence of the Em­perors, troubled to withstand the Barbarians, & the miserable state of the time, which forced Christians to flye to their Bi­shop for counsell and comfort in their confused afflictions, laid the foundation of their authority, then small, being tyed to their charges, and subject to the Emperours command: But it grew by degrees, untill it came to the height of this Soveraign and Absolute power, so as in the end they have prescribed Laws to the Emperours, Kings, and Christian Princes. A necessary Observation, both for the truth and order of this History, to understand rightly both the time and means of their rising. In the first age, the Bishops of Rome durst not shew themselves, being persecuted, and impri­soned, and martyred by the Emperours. Since Constantine the Great, their authority began in the dissipation of the Empire, it increased especially under Pipin and Charls the Great. Again at the year 514. thus the same Author writeth; The Pope of Rome thrust himself forward amidst these confusions and ruines of the Empire, recovering that which the Emperours had lost.

2. Antichrist is the little horn, and he rose at the same time, together with the ten horns, in low and dark beginnings, and the Primitive ten horns were the Northern Barbarians, Dan. 7.8. It is true, he is said afterward, Verse 24. to arise after the ten Horns: but this may be said in respect of the open and more perfect degree of his Kingdom.

3. The Beast or Antichrist is said to receive his Kingdom at one hour, together with the ten horns, Apoc. 17.12.

4. The flood of the Dragon, which doth signifie the inun­dation of the Northern Barbarians, is expresly set after the womans flight, and coming to her fixed seat in the state of the Wildernesse; wherein she is to sit down, and to be hidden the space of all the foresaid years, the time, two times and half. So therefore the flood of the Barbarians cannot precede the [Page 138]years, and can ascend at most but unto a state of coexistende therewithall, as being in order ranked after them, and begun in events in order of nature praeexistent, though not happily of time.

5. The seventh head is Antichrist, and he ariseth into his Kingdom gradually, as the sixth head falling under the Bar­barians, giveth way and place unto him. See Apoc. 17.10. Thus the Emperours, the impediment of Antichrist, is gra­dually removed, that Antichrist may gradually succeed, 2 Thess. 2.8.

According to this way, thus we may settle the terms of the years.

  • 1290 Beginning at the year 360 do end to­gether in the year 1649.
  • 1260 Beginning at the year 390 do end to­gether in the year 1649.
  • 490 Beginning at the year 1160 do end to­gether in the year 1649.
  • 575 Beginning at the year 1075 do end to­gether in the year 1649.
  • 390 Beginning at the year 1260 do end to­gether in the year 1649.
  • 1. The 1290. Dan. 12.11.
  • 2. The 1260. Dan. 12.7. Apoc. 12.6, 14.
  • 3. The 490. Dan. 9.24.
  • 4. The 575. Dan. 8.14. There are numbred 2300.

of mornings and evenings.] But because in Scripture-use, there is a morning and evening for the day time, and a morn­ing and evening for the night time, Exo. 29.41. & 30.8. Lev. 23.5. Num. 9.3, 5, 11. Exod. 12.6. and 29.39. Psal. 30.5, 6. Therefore it may be that four of those 2300. do concur to make up one day, and so 2300. mornings and even­ings may make up 575. full dayes, which in use Propheticall are 575. years. And so this number may onely comprehend the times of the most perfect raign of Antichrist, described in that eighth chapter; beginning from the year 1075. when first Hildebrand took occasion to exalt himself effectually above the Emperour, and promulged effectuall Decrees con­cerning the unmarryed estate of the Clergy, and other Will­worship; and Antichrist in him began of a little horn to be­come [Page 139]a great horn, and presently thereupon exceeding great in the war against the Turks and Albingenses; which estate of his, seeing it is onely handled in the foresaid chapter, no mar­vell if a number of years proportionate unto such a state of Antichrist was cut out in the said place.

5. The years 390. according to the round number, or at large 391. and an hour, Ap. 9.14. do appertain unto the so­lution of the Turks; which, by the dissentions of the Latines, and movings of the Tartars, began to be loosed from about the year 1260. and two years before in some degree: so that the hour may be in 1258. the day, the year following, and the 390 from 1260. See Brov. annal. Thus the Turks will cease to be loosed in the year 1649. and the next year following may they begin to fall together with the Pope, if this former way of Accommodation doth hold. Although in respect of remisse degrees, the Turk began to be loosed in Saladin about the year 1169. Calvis. and so his 390. years will expire immediatly before 1559. from which time the Turkish power and Kingdom hath continually decayed.

The second way of Accommodation of the years.

NOw that the Popes Kingdom, more properly so called, that is, the commanding, and effectuall and open state thereof, and the more perfect state of the foresaid signes there­of, do set beginning to these years; the following Arguments will plead on the other side.

1. The Beast or little horn, that is, the Pope, is said expresly to rise into his Kingdom after the ten horns, being thence­forth about to raign the time, two times and half, Dan. 7.24, 25. It will be answered, He rose with them in respect of small beginnings, but after them in respect of open manifestation of his Kingdom. See Apoc. 17.12. But howsoever, thus much may be gathered, That according to this place, it will not be inconvenient or unreasonable to begin the years of Antichrist after the rising of the ten horns, and from the manifestation [Page 140]and open power of his Kingdom, but rather very connaturall unto it.

2. The Beast is said expresly to rise into his Kingdom, after the Dragons flood, and the drying up thereof, being about to raign 42. moneths, which signifie all the years of Antichrist, Apoc. 12.16, 17, 18. with cap. 13.1, 5, 6. Now the Dragons flood was the flood of the Northern Barbarians; forasmuch as the waters cast out of his mouth, do properly signifie Na­tions, Tongues and People, Apoc. 17.15. flowing out upon the Church, at the mouth or suggestion of the Devil. Their flood was dryed up, partly when they were subdued by Justi­nian, partly when they were united with the earthly part of Christendom in Antichristian Religion. It may be answered, That after this time indeed the Beast arose into the open state and power of his Kingdom, in appearance according to the similitude of other Kingdoms: But in small and dark begin­nings that he began before; and that from those small begin­nings his years are to be numbred, howsoever they be set down under the open state thereof. Compare Apoc. 12.14. with cap. 13.5, 6. But this will be sufficient for our purpose, that it will be very consonant and agrecable to this place, to begin the years of Antichrist from his latter state, and not unnaturall thereunto; howsoever we cannot prove that cer­tainly it is so.

3. Dan. 11.19 to, 21. So expresly after the inundation of the Northern Bar­barians, and after the Restauration also by Justinian, Anti­christ is brought in succeeding in the Kingdom. But it may be answered as before, That then indeed began the glory of his Kingdom, or some small degree of glory at the least: Al­though he had the Kingdom before, even with Justinian, and before him also; yet without the glory of the Kingdom: com­pare Dan. 11. v. 20. with v. 21. and both with v. 19. This how­soever seemeth to follow from the words, that this second state or degree of Antichrist his Kingdom may constitute a [Page 141]very naturall and convenient beginning for the duration of his reign; especially seeing in such accommodation of the yeers all numbers will agree, and every one of them from ve­ry reasonable and satisfactory terms of beginning.

According to this second way, we may set beginnings thus unto the years.
  • 1290 From 570 end in the year 1859.
  • 1260 From 600 end in the year 1859.
  • 1150 From 710 end in the year 1859.
  • 490 From 1370 end in the year 1859.

First, 1290. may begin in 570 according to the round number. For then upon the coming of the Longebards into Italy, began the evident and open state of the Popes King­dom. So expresly Machiavel in his History of Florence, l. 1. Caeperunt hec tempore pontifices Romani majori esse in dignitate quam antea fuerant. Paulo post. Vix alia erat pontificum dignitas et aestimatio, prater eam quam vitae sancti monia sibi paraverant et doctrina, ante aetatem. Longobardorum. Rursum. Quum autem Longobardi jn Italiam jam venirent, et illa in factiones plurimas scissa esset, adaugebatur pontificia potestas hoc eorum adventu. Quum enim pontifex caput esset et princeps urbis Romanae, impera­tor vero Constantinopoli preesset, itase tempori et praesenti rerum statui accommodabant Longobardi ac Longinus, ut mediante pon­tifice populum Romanum sibi devincirent, non ut subditus illorum esset, sed socius; et nunc horum, nunc Grecorum artes sequentes pontifices, mirum quam adaugebant suam dignitatem.

Secondly, the 1260 yeers may fitly begin in the yeer 600. according to the round number. Then began Gregory the Pope to deform the Church with rites and superstitions. Alsted. Chron. Myst. iniq. And indeed the Historicall use of Images began about the yeer 400. but the solitary Images of Saints began not to be set up in Temples before the yeer 600. Perk. yet the Pope approved not the worship of them. [Page 142]Then began Gregory the Pope to command a litany for the invocation of Saints to be sung publikely. Then (saith Per­kins) of a commemoration of Saints was made an invocation of them. [...]rkins. [...], Ima­ [...], Cas­ [...]der. About the same yeer Gregory the Pope contended about the Primacy with the Patriark of Constantinople. And about six yeers after the yeer 600. the Pope was made by Phocas universall Bishop: and then first was the priviledge confirmed to the Church of Rome, to wit, of Primacy over all Churches; Alsted lastly; from about this time the Pope began to send forth his emissaries, for the subjecting of the ten horns and people of Christendom unto his papall authority.

Thirdly, the 1150 yeers being the halfe of the 2300. Dan. 8.13, 14. by taking only one morning and one evening for one full day, may begin most fitly at the yeer 710. For then Antichrist began publikely and in open councels to autho­rize the worshipping of Images, and to establish the same, and the invocation of Saints, and to maintain the same by con­stant persecutions. Alsted Chronol. cap. de conciliis. Sigon. de regno Ital. Centur. Magdebur. Then also began the Pope to exercise power and dominion over Kings and Emperours. Si­gon. Balgus. And from this time forward he ceased not to pursue the Emperours of the East, in favour of Idolatry, un­till such time as he had utterly cast them out of Italy, and established his owne Kingdom in the Empire of the Franks. Platina. Onuphrius.

Fourthly, the 490 yeers or 70 weeks of yeers, may be­gin at the yeer 1370 as hath been said, from the time of Wick­liffe. Of this I have already spoken. So all the numbers in this second way, will precisely end in the yeer 1859. Now let the Reader consider and judge.

Fifthly, the solution of the Turks, notwithstanding this second way may begin in the foresaid yeer 1260. and contin­uing 390 yeers may end immediately before 1650: or else be­ginning [Page 143]from about 1300 may possibly run out 40 yeers after. Or happily beginning in remisse degrees from about 1169 may be extended to 1559. and so the end of the strength of the Turkish Kingdom may be determined by these yeers, proportionably to the five moneths of the Kingdom of the Sarasins, and not the absolute and perfect end thereof.

Concerning the 1000 yeers, Apoc. 20.3.

THe Dragon is not simply the Devil, but with seven heads and ten horns, Chap. 12.3. that is, the Devil in the Roman Empire. He in his heathen estate or in the Hea­then Emperours, had through all the Roman Empire sedu­ced the Nations, C 12.9. to wit, with heathenisme and in the way of opposition to the Church. But he was cast down out of his throne in the times of Constantine, Christ then ta­king possession of the throne together with the Saints, Chap. 12.5, 10. But he by the barbarous Nations as by many wa­ters overflowing the Empire of the West, and afterward stir­ring and raising up Antichrist, beginning openly to reign and with the Barbarians to subjugate the Church about the yeer 600. even now seemed about to obtain and to recover that amplitude of power and dominion, for the seducing of the Nations in his second or Antichristian state, which before he had obtained in his first or Ethnick state.

This greatnes and efficacy of power that he might not yet obtain, he was forthwith by the six first plagues of the Vi­als more and more to be bound and imprisoned, as it were in a bottomlesse pit, for the space of a thousand yeers: and those thousand yeers being ended, he is for a little space to be loo­sed in Antichrist, to obtain that power, at least comparatively, which before he had in his Heathen state. So then after these 1000 yeers he shall recover himself out of all the for­mer [Page 144]plagues of the Vials, and having subdued the withesses in the West, he shall go forth without impediment to ga­ther all Nations against the holy City, and upon this occa­sion he shall come to an end by the seventh Viall.

The Dragon in Antichrist and in the Antichristian horns, gradually ascending to the height, the Saints or holy people began as it were to be beheaded, Apoc. 20.4. which phrase I. believe is here applied for mysticall signification, foras­much as it was not usuall or customary with Antichrist to kill the Saints by such a kind of death properly understood, but mystically he beheaded them, by the word and censures wrongfully applied: pronouncing them to be schismaticks and hereticks, and so cut off from Christ as the body from the head, and then prosecuting them as excommunicate and cut off from Christ, with persecutions, first of lesser kind be­fore the times of Waldus, and after unto death.

The Saints in this estate arose in their own defence, and by the word and censures did as it were behead the Antichristi­ans, pronouncing them excommunicate and cut off from Christ, and thereby exposed them unto the judgement of the Vials. Now God approved the word and sentence in their mouths, and thereupon followed it with plagues, whereby the Dragon in the Antichristians shall be imprisoned and re­strained a thousand yeers unto the end of the sixth Viall: And then a short solution intervening for the gathering of all Nations, shall afterward be utterly cut off by the seventh Viall. Thus then the Saints did reign a thousand yeers, to wit, by the word and prophesie, as it is also expressed, Apoc. 11.5, 6. and unto the foresaid last solution of the Antichristi­ans out of the bottomlesse pit, Apoc. 11.7. and they reigned by bringing the Vialls in the way of prophesie, as it is affir­med in the same place, Apoc. 11.6. Thus also they are said to reign as Priests of God and of Christ. Apoc. 20.7. that is, by the word and prayer. For in this manner Priests do use [Page 145]to reign: Therefore the Saints or Angels, which are the Ministers of the seven Vials, are brought in clothed with fine linnen, which was the habit of the Priests, Ezek. 44. and coming as Priests out of the Temple, Apoc. 15.5, 6. to pour them out by the word and prayer upon the Antichri­stians. And in this sense they are said to be set on thrones, and to have judgement put into their hands, Apoc. 20.4. which is the judgement of the seven Vials, Apocalyps 14.7. and 15.4. and 16.7. Now whereas the Saints are said to smite the Antichristians with ulcers and blood and fire, as in the four first Vials, and then to darken the Kingdom of Antichrist, as in the fifth, and afterward to dry up the waters of his Kingdom in the sixth: what is this, but at least to bind and restrain the Dragon in the Antichristians? And we can also shew, that these six Vials, let the yeers of Antichrist be measured which way you will, must continue the space of a 1000 yeers. And expresly after that these six Vials are ended, it is said as after the end of the 1000 yeers, that the Dragon with the Beast is loosed to gather all Na­tions together against the time of the last Viall. Compare, Apoc. 16.13, 14, 15. with Apoc. 20.3, 8, 9.

These two places, namely, Apocalyps 11.5, 6, 7. and 16.13, 14. compared with, Apocalyps 20.3, 8, 9. I suppose suffi­cient for the answering of any objections, that may be op­posed to our interpretation. Whereunto may be added that in Daniel 9.24, 25, 26, 27. where the Church is brought in standing and prevailing, that is, reigning all along from its first beginning untill the last week, which agreeth with the time of the solution of the Dragon for a little space, at the end of his 1000 years. For we must understand these expressions, not in a sense absolute but comparative. And as the primitive Saints, notwithstanding the ten succes­sive Persecutions, are brought in reigning and prevailing [Page 146]more and more against the Heathen Emperours, to wit, by the word and prayer, the fight of faith and patience, accompanied with sutable effects of the Gospel and of judge­ment, untill they were utterly cast down in the dayes of Constantine, Apocalyps 6.1.2. with 12.9, 10, 11, 12. so notwithstanding severall gusts of Antichristian persecuti­on, the Saints being many times hurt, Apocalyps 11.5. and many times beheaded as hath been said, Apocalyps 20.4. yet they rise continually and prevaile and reign by the like means, saving only for a little space at the loosing of the Dragon.

Let this be observed in conclusion, that we have not from necessity so interpreted that phrase, beheaded for the testimony of Iesus, as hath been explicated: for we may say with Paraeus, that any manner of death is signified thereby, and I adde, any manner of punishment and affli­ction in generall, infflicted upon Saints as hereticks and malefactours. Such was reproach and lesser kinds of per­secution before the times of the Waldenses, and afterward the punishment of death. And notwithstanding all this, they are said to rise and live and reign, partly in themselves and partly in their successours and members of the same body spirituall, and by propheticall and priestly power to bring the constant judgement of the Vials upon the Antichristians, to the retarding and restraining of the Dragon in them, unto the end of the 1000 years.

But as concerning the Antichristians and the Dragon in them, it is said of them that they should be so killed by the priestly power of the Saints, being dead spiritually, and censured to be as dead by prophesie, and thereupon given up to the plagues of judgement: that they, being the residue of the dead spoken of, Apocalyps 20.5. should not live again, untill the thousand yeers be expired. Which [Page 147]is to be understood either of the more generall conversi­on and spirituall resurrection, whereby the remnant of Antichristians shall arise at the end of the 1000 years and of the years of Antichrist: or of the resurrection of the dead properly so called, which shall follow after the said years, Apocalyps 20.8, 12. or of the Antichristians cut off and slain by the constant plagues of the six former Vials, through the whole space of the 1000 years, and not arising perfectly or breathing out of them, untill after the end of the 1000 years; and for a little season. As concerning the opinion of many Worthyes, affirming, that the reign of the Saints a 1000 yeers, is to be expected in the glory of New- Jerusalem at the end of the yeers of Antichrist: I cannot possibly bring my judgement to incline unto it. For this opinion is incumbred with inextricable difficulties and uncouth assertions, as concerning a partiall resurrection from the dead before the generall, and the like. More­over also it hath not any ground from the place alledged in the Revelation, as hath been shewed. And where New- Jorusalem is purposely described, there is not the least in­timation of such a time determined, as being to be in a perpetuall uniformity eternall, after that it commeth to its height. And it is cleer from Daniel 12.1, 2, 11, 12, 13. and from Revelation 11.18. that the last judgement or Viall upon Antichrist is to be compounded with the gene­tall resurrection. For it is expressed to be the resurrection, and none other followeth, Daniel 12.2. wherein both Da­niel and all that are wise and labour in the work of conver­sion shall be glorified, Verse 3, 13. and wherein all both small and great shall be rewarded, Apocalyps 11.18. Whereas it is objected, that New- Jerusalem in the Pro­phets, is described after such a manner, as is sutable to a temporall manner of reigning upon earth, according as [Page 148]the Millenary reigning is supposed to be. I conceive answer may be given unto this objection. For such expressions of temporall felicity, as do occurre in the description of New- Jerusalem, are either to be understood of its state of inchea­tion, as it is in motu; and especially from after the end of the years of Antichrist through the space of 45 years, as Daniel expresseth, Daniel 12.11, 12. or being applied to its state of heavenly perfection immediately ensuing, they are to be understood in a mysticall sense, according to the common way and course of the holy Prophets. Who knoweth not, that New Jerusalem described by Ezekiel, and from whom the Pictures of it are translated into the Revelation, are all along mysticall and figurative? And such as are the descriptions in one prophet, such for the generall must be the parallel descriptions in the rest. There is Christ and the Church set forth by the building of a Tem­ple, the worship of the Church by sacrifices and festivall solemnities, Christ as King by the Prince or Princes of Israel, glorified Saints by trees with healing leafes and fruits perpetuall, and their glorious inheritance by the se­verall inheritances of the Sons of Israel in the land of Canaan. Now I do acknowledge that these and the like places may have a generall application to the whole Kingdom of Christ, and more particularly to the first degrees of the Reformation after Antichrist. But my purpose is not here to speak of this larger acception. In a stricter sense; the foresaid passages are partly to be fulfilled in the state of inchoation at the end of the reign of Antichrist, and partly of the heavenly perfe­ction. So in the state of inchoation the Ministers as An­gels, letting in the elect by conversion through the gates of particular Churches, into the community of the whole Church of New- Jerusalem: shall hereby be instruments of bringing them into the heavenly perfection, and shall therein [Page 149]be glorified with their converts. And therefore in the state of heavenly perfection, they are brought in under such repre­sentations as will agree to the foresaid relation which they had unto their converts in the state of inchoation, Apocalyps 21.12. In like manner the Kings of the earth are said to bring their glory unto it, Apocalyps 21.24. according as in the parallel Prophecy, Isaiah 60. partly because in its state of inchoation they shall come unto it by conversion, subjecting themselves, their Kingdoms and glory thereunto, in procuring the felicity thereof: and partly because they shall stand in this frame of love unto Christ and his Church, through all eternities in heavenly perfection. Rivers of wa­ter running, Hills dropping new wine, Mountains flowing with milk, seven times increase of the light of the Sun, abun­dance of Corn, and Feasts and Dancings, and joyfull So­lemnities, to be expected when Jerusalem shall be restored out of Babylon, are clearly Types and mysticall Expressions of the spirituall glory of the Church in generall, which is the New Jerusalem, when it shall be reduced out of the Babylon of Antichrist in the state of inchoation, and princi­pally when it shall ascend unto the height of heavenly feli­city. The Church of converted Jews shall have their por­tion in this Jerusalem: but to make it the onely thing, pro­perly intended in Judah and Jerusalem thus described, and in respect of temporall estate, I conceive is far beyond the intention of the Holy Ghost.

One passage in the Prophet Isaiah I will endeavour to clear, in stead of all other, by reason of the difficulty thereof. This is Isaiah 65.17, &c. The state of new Heavens and new Earth is there described, verse 17. This largely ta­ken, is the whole Kingdom of Christ, beginning at the times of the Apostles; wherein is spiritually old age, in respect of Grace, and duration, and prosperity, and security spirituall, [Page 150] Psal. 1.3. and 92.12, 13, 14. But of this sense I purposenet to speak now. In a stricter acception, it is the state of new Jerusalem, Apoc. 21.1, 2. 2 Pet. 3.13. that beginneth in [...] at the end of the years of Antichrist, and is consummate in coelestiall glory. Therein shall be no weeping, crying, &c. v. 19. as Apocalyps 21.4. and there shall all be as old men, and none shall dye as yong men, verse 20. because there all shall be lasting, and also wise as old men, and fully know the Lord, and none shall be spirituall Infants any more. See Apoc. 4.4. 1 Cor. 14.20. For the description of the Church is mysticall, after the similitude of an earthly Kingdom, glorious in tem­porall happinesse, in which are no diseases, Famine or Sword, to cut off the life before old age, and in which men build and plant, and labour cheerfully and successively, enjoying the fruit of their labours without molestation or interruption, and wherein no enemy or wilde Beast maketh men afraid: So that by such temporall felicity of long life, spirituall old age or wisdom is partly signified, and partly perpetuall continuance in the Kingdom of Heaven. And as the Saints and Ministers have builded spirituall houses, and planted spirituall vine­yards in their own conversion, and the conversion of others, and in the setting up of Churches by the preaching of the Gospel, after the similitude of those that in an earthly King­dom do the same in temporall respects, 1 Cor. 9.7. so shall they eat the fruit, or enjoy the comfort hereof without inter­ruption of any enemy, through all eternities. So verse 21, 22, 23. And thus are the words following to be interpreted, verse 24. Before they call I will hear: Because, although they may literally be expounded of the inchoation of new Jeru­salem, yet figuratively onely of the heavenly perfection, wherein God is said to hear before we call, after the similitude of temporall security, to signifie his continuall protection of his people from the very fears, or near approaches of any [Page 151]dangers. And whereas it is added, verse 25. that The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the Serpent shall lick the dust: Nothing else is signified, then an absolute and eternall exclu­sion of all enemies offensive to the Church, partly by con­version begun upon the Earth, and in Heaven continued, partly by perdition everlasting. Lastly, whereas in the time of the new Heavens and Earth, Levites and Priests are said to continue, Isaiah 66.21, 22. Ministers are understood in the state of inchoation: and both in state of inchoation and perfection, all Saints shall be mysticall Priests and Le­vites for ever, And they shall go forth and see the carcases of the wicked, that is, duly consider the end of the wicked, whose worm shall never dye, and whose fire shall never go out, in the state of Hell then opposite unto heavenly perfection. So chap. 66.24. compared with Mark 9.44. It is clear from the Epistle to the Hebrews, that under the Type of the Land of Canaan, the Land of Israel was Heaven signified: And if in these and such like expressions of the Prophers, Heaven is not understood, then would it not be spoken of by them, which would be utterly unreasonable to think.

Of the SEVEN VIALS.

IT remaineth to be shewed when the one thousand yeers must begin and end. They begin, as hath been said, with the Seven Vials.

In the four first Vials, are onely set down four de­grees of Judgement, and in the fourth degree coming to perfection: as appeareth by those four degrees of judgement on the Roman Empire, expressed by the like Figures, Apoc. 8.7. And these four first Vials are upon the Builders and Founders of Antichrist, as appeareth by Apoc. 16.2. The Kingdom of Antichrist in propriety is not touched, till the fifth Vial, as is expressed Verse 10.

There are two wayes of Accommodation. I will propose them both briefly: and the event will shortly shew, which is to be chosen. For either I judge the four first Vials are the four degrees of Mahu­metan plagues upon Christendom in general, together with other plagues adjoyned, beginning from the yeer 620: or else the four degrees of judgement upon the German-Roman-Empire, the chief Founder of the Prelacy of Antichrist, beginning from the yeer 840. Sigon. If the former way shall hold, the first Vial will be from 620, the second from 840, the third from 1160, the fourth from 1260, when the Turks effectually being loosed, began to powre out the Vial on the Sun, to the irrecoverable darkning of Christendom. But if the second way shall hold, the first Vial will be from 840, the second may be from 888, Sigon. the third after a restauration as by Rivers, from 1160, the [Page 153]fourth from 1250, when Frederick the second dying, See Cha [...] ­on. Chron [...] in the li [...] of Frede­rick 2. Sigon. de [...] reg. Hal. at the year 1286. the last main­tainer in a manner of the German-Roman-Empire, and all Christendom together, being in combustions, made way for the powring of the Vial on the Sun, to the darkning of the said Empire irrecoverably, and of the Latin Kingdom in Jerusalem, and to the Laxation of the Turks upon Christendom in general. Now the Popes Kingdom in propriety, though assailed for a little season by the Waldenses, yet speedily did not onely recover it self in the foresaid times, but also took occasion by the Opposition to come unto its fulnesse: wherein it also subsisted untill the time of Wickcliff.

Wherefore, from the yeer 1370, the time of Wickcliff, began the fifth Vial to be powred out upon the Throne and Kingdom of the Beast, in propriety so called. The sixth followed from the time of Luther, whereby the waters of Euphrates, the Rivers or Waters, that is, the Nations and Kingdoms of Babylon spiritual, Apoc. 17.15. effectually began to be dryed up: And the Protestant Princes politick, or Pro­testant Saints in general, as spiritual Kings and Princes, began openly and visibly to reign, set up by Christ the Sun of Righteousnesse to shine upon the World, then sitting in a night of darknesse; and there­fore they are said to come as it were from the rising of the Sun. So the phrase is to be interpreted, Apoc. 7.2, 3. Ezek. 43.1, 2, 3. and frequent­ly in Prophecies. This sixth Vial runneth out in the last Ascension of the Beast out of the bottomlesse pit, Apoc. 11.17. and in the solution of the Dragon at the end of the 1000 yeers, Apoc. 20.3. For in the issue of the sixth Vial, it is expressely said in the same words for sub­stance, that the Beast and Dragon went forth to gather the Kings of the Earth and of the whole World, Apoc. 16.13.14. That in their last prosperity for a little season, they might be prepared for the last and great Vial, which shall expire and be compounded with the general Resurrection and final Conclusion of all Judgement.

Now if the Vials begin from 620, then accordingly the sixth Vial will end, and therewithall the 1000 yeers in 1620. From which time the Dragon shall gradually be loosed, first with various successe, as the fifth Seal, Apoc. 6.11. and the Hail-stone, spotted Horses, Zech. 6.6. do insinuate, and then by three dayes and half of final Triumph, his solution shall run out in the yeer 1649, precisely together with the 2260 yeers of Antichrist, according to one of the two wayes of Ac­commodation.

But if the Vials begin from 840, then accordingly the sixth Vial will [Page 154]end, and therewithall the 1000 yeers, the space of about 20 yeers be­fore 1860; and so the solution of the Beast and Dragon, which is to be at the end of the 1000 yeers, will precisely expire with the yeers of Antichrist, according to the other way of Accommodation.

This is certain, that when these yeers shall have an end, immediately shall follow the glorious time of New-Jerusalem, to the joy of all Saints: Whereof it is said, Isai. 60.1. Arise O Jerusalem and shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. It is also very evident unto me, That this glory of New Jerusalem, beginning at the end of the yeers of Antichrist, is consummated in Heavenly glory, as the utmost degree thereof: So that the Heavenly Estate, ac­cording to the use of the holy Prophets, entereth into the composition of New Jerusalem, and of the state of new Heavens, and new Earth. For the state of these new Heavens, and new Earth, promised in the Prophecy of Isaiah, is such a state wherein all Saints do expect their share and portion Universally, as the Apostle Peter doth expresse, 2 Pet. 3. And therefore it must necessarily be the state of Heavenly per­fection, which is at least inclusively spoken off by the Prophet Isaiah: For thus go the words of the Apostle, 2 Pet. 3.13, 14. Neverthelesse we, that is, we all, all Saints and Christians, according to his pro­mise, that is, as it is promised unto us in the Prophecy of Isaiah (which we have a little before Interpreted) do look for new Heavens, and a new Earth, wherein dwelleth Righteousnesse, that is, all righteous people, and without defilement of sin and sinful society. It followeth Vers. 14. Wherefore Beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent, that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blamelesse. Fur­thermore, the general Resurrection and last Judgement, are evidently brought in Apo. 20.11, 12. as the Expressions declare; So clear indeed, that any place of Scripture describing the last Judgement, may be de­torted to another sense as easily as this: And besides, the Parallel place of Dan. 12.2, 13, 14. doth confirm the same, where Daniel and all the wise, without Exception and Distinction, are brought in partakers of the Resurrection, at the end of the last plague upon Antichristians. Now the perfect state of New Jerusalem, is expressely brought in after this general Resurrection and last Judgement, Apoc. 20.11. and 21.1. And therefore it is the state of heavenly perfection. As the old Heavens and Earth, do gradually go away from after the end of the yeers of Antichrist; that is, as the Antichristian Kingdoms do gradually depart, so the new Heavens, and new Earth, or Kingdom of Christ, with [Page 155]the change of all things, doth gradually come in: Until at the end of 45 yeers, Dan. 12.12. the old Heavens, and old Earth being perfectly departed in the last Judgement and general Resurrection, Apoc. 20.11. the new Heavens, and the new Earth, come into the place thereof, in the state of heavenly and immutable Perfections. Apoc. 21.1, 2.

In the foresaid incoactive state of New Jerusalem, the Jews shall come in by Conversion, according to the Prophecy, Rom. 11. and shall be principal Members, and extraordinarily gifted for the enlarging of the Kingdom of Christ, over all the World. They began first to run as Cushi, but interrupted. The Gentile Christians, like Ahimaaz, break over the Mountains of opposition, God making all Hills as a plane unto them: And so they first bring in the tydings of the fall of Anti­christ. But the tydings are general and incompleat. Afterward, 2 Sam. 18.31. the Jews that first began to run, shall come in last, and bring distinct and perfect tydings of the fall of Antichrist, and all enemies universally. Now when they have so done, then shall follow life from the dead, or the general Resurrection, as the Apostle Paul expresseth, Rom. 11.15. So then the Jews shall come in as Members of New Jerusalem: and New Jerusalem is to be the Catholike Church, advanced to the state of glory, wherein there is no distinction of Jew or Gentile, Grecian or Barbarian. And therefore in all the Revelation, I finde not any menti­on of Jewish Christians in distinction from the rest. The Jews are the faithful in general, Apoc. 2.9. and so are the Jews of Philadelphia, Apoc. 3.9. The twelve Tribes of the Children of Israel, are all the parts of Christendom, out of which, the Saints are sealed, before the glorious time of New Jerusalem, Apoc. 7.4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. The Holy City or Jerusalem is Christendom, Apoc. 11.2. And the Kings of the East, may be the Protestants in general, as hath been Expounded ac­cording to the course of Holy Scripture. So is New Jerusalem the Catholike Church glorified, Apoc. 21. And it is a name imposed on the Gentile Philadelphia, Apoc. 3.12. The true Church in general is called the Jerusalem, Gal. 4.26. And all that is called Israel in the Old Testament, unto whom the Promises are made, are not Israel accord­ing to the flesh, but mystical Israel, the whole Church, Rom. 9.6. Daniel also in all his Prophecies, by his people, and by his holy people, understandeth Christians in general, as hath been shewed before. See Dan. 9.24. and 11.45. and 12.1. Accordingly in all the ancient Pro­phets, although the Prophecies are litterally to be understood of Israel and Judah, properly so called according to the Type, yet according to [Page 156]the Antitype, and more fully, they appertain to the mystical Israel, and mystical Judah, the Catholike Church of Christ, and especially as rising out of the mystical Babylon of Antichrist, as the parallel places in the Revelation do evidently declare. Revel. 14.8. and 18.2, 3, 12, 20, 21, 22. and 19.2. But of this I purposed onely at this time to give a hint, as also to touch a few Reasons and Argu­ments by the way: And I have been much larger, then I thought to be. Much more satisfaction may be given concerning these things, and if necessity require, and strength, and opportunity make way, I hope I should not be backward to do my best service herein to the Spouse of Christ. If any of my Reverend Brethren, otherwise minded, can shew unto me better light, I shall count my self and the Church of God beholding unto them for it, and willingly receive it at their hands. In the mean time, this is my judgement.

And to God, onely wise in Christ Jesus, the Re­vealer of Secrets, be Glory and Dominion, for ever and ever, Amen.

FINIS.

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