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 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 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 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 â—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 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 free-will-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 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 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
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 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 shal be 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 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 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
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 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 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 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
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 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 Apâ—â— 12.3 and Chap. 13.3 4. Apoc. 11.9 10. 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
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 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 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. â—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 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
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 ¶ Whos 's 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 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 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 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
witnesses hereof 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 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 Holy-land 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 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
Clergy and other Will-worship and Antichrist in him began of a little horn to become 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 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 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 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 â—rkins â—â— Imaâ—â— Casâ—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
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 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 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 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