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 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 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 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 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
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 iâ— 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. 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 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 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 Clâ—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 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
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 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 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
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 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 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 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 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 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 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
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 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 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 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 long and greatly defaced by the Barbarians Or he may be said to stand up in the glory of the Kingdom in opposition
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 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 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 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 by deceit and pretence of peace Aist Alâ—ing c. 2. â— 2. p. 120 â—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
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
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 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 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 fourth from 1250 when Frederick the second dying See Chaâ—â—on Chronâ—â— in the liâ—â— of Frederick 2. Sigon deâ— reg Hal. at the year 1286. the last maintainer in a manner of the german-roman-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
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Maâ—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 hoâ—â— 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 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 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 Babâ—lonian Monarchy The Beast like a Lion for strength hath also Eagles wings in respect of exaltation above men â—er 48.40 Ezek. â—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 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
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 â—â—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 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 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 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. â— 1. b. 2. â—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. â— 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 be removed by the ten Kings after Constantine the Great proportionately with the
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
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 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 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. 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 but a Prince That is Constantine the Great about three hundred
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 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 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 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 â—an 9. pag. â—36 239. And if saith Graserus the Prince of the Covenant did here signifie 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 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 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 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
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 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 Florâ—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 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 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
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 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 â—alvis Croplâ—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 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 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