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
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
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
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
To the Right Honourable LORD PHILIP Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery c. One of those Noble PEERS who in these Revolting Times continue faithful to the Cause of GOD and the Common-wealth T. B. wisheth increase of Grace in this Life and Eternal Glory in the Life to come Right Honourable THe Author of this Discourse sent it over from New-England without a Title without a Dedication The Title is supplyed And now I make bold to supply the Dedication by publishing the Book under your Honours Name and Patronage which I suppose the Author himself would do if he were here present in regard of that neer dependence which his Reverend and Learned Father once had upon your Lordships Honourable Father of Renowned Memory Mr. Robert Parker that famous Divine whom the Prelates persecuted out of the Land for opposing their Ceremonies especially the Crosse in Baptism from whom he received his whole Livelyhood besides many other great and extraordinary Favours which his Wife and Children talk of to this very day I will not go about to commend the Work which doth sufficiently commend it Self and the Workman too of whose worth I could speak much if I were not so neerly allied unto him as I am Onely this I will say which all that are well acquainted with him know to be true He is a man of singular parts eminent in Learning supereminent in Grace strangely mortified to the World wholly addicted to the Service God and the Church So craving pardon for my great boldnesse in approaching so neer being but a stranger I humbly take my leave and desire to approve my self Your Honours truely devoted Servant in the Lord Thomas Bayly Jan. 7. 1646. To the Reader CHristian Reader it is certain that the Interpretation of a great part of Prophecies dependeth on a just and due accommodation of the numbers of the yeers But the numbers are various the 1290 1260 490 1000 2300. To set beginning and end to one of these without relation to the rest and so to run at large is easie But we are confined And such terms of beginning and end must be to one as will be suteable to the terms of all the rest Which is a very difficult thing to discover Two wayes of accommodation I have espied agreeable to all numbers which in this Discourse I have proposed to consideration The former doth bring in the end of the reign of Antichrist and the beginning of the glory of New-Jerusalem about the yeer 1650 The other way about the yeer 1860 that is above 200 yeers hence as shall be shewed in the Discourse Which of these two is to be chosen I am not able at present to determine Two or three yeers more of experience would have shewed which way to steer Willingly therefore would I have stayed a little longer before I had published any of my thoughts concerning Prophecies that I might have been instructed to write more surely and punctually and without such uncertain and problematical manner of discourse as now I must be forced unto But I am not to look at my own ends neither am I to serve my self but Christ and the Church Wherefore Christian Reader accept at my hands what I do communicate in this writing desiring and seeking therein the benefit of Sion I would have presented it more elaborate but my weaknesse and occasions bindered Tydings I bring of sad times and tydings of great joy to follow after My spirit hath been grieved to declare the former But I must be faithful and declare the whole Truth according to my judgement Neverthelesse what is the affliction to the glory succeeding If the time of the end be not yet come we may look for an easier affliction and every day expect deliverance But then the Restauration following will be onely greater then before not perfect If the time of the end be come then we must expect and prepare for the sad time of the three yeers and half yet future Apoc. 11.8 and then perfect Restauration will follow after to be compleated in heavenly perfections I determine nothing in this point Read and judge and make application as God shall please to move Farewell November 20. 1645. Imprimatur Joseph Caryl Concerning the first Vision of the Image Dan. 2. The Controversal part THe main Controversie in this Vision is about the Iron feet and legs and the stone that smote them The opinion of some is that they signifie the Successors of Alexander in the Grecian Kingdom and especially the Seleucidae and the stone cut out of the mountain Christ at his first coming and his Spiritual Kingdom following This cannot stand First because every metal signifieth a distinct Kingdom and the fulnesse and complement thereof from the beginning to the perfect end and therefore the Brazen belly and thighs are the whole and perfect Grecian kingdom and accordingly the legs and feet of Iron do signifie another kingdom distinguished from the Grecian which cannot be the Seleucidae and other Successors in the same kingdom For as the Golden head doth signifie the whole Babylonian kingdom the Silver brest the whole Persian so the Brazen belly and thighs the whole Grecian including the Seleucidae and other Successors in the same kingdom For these make up the integrity and fulnesse of the Grecian kingdom as much as the Successors of Nebuchad-nezzar make up the integrity of the Babylonian or as much as the Successors of Cyrus do concur to the perfect constitution of the Persian And so when the Grecian kingdom is proposed Chap. 8.21 22 it is expresly described as constituted not onely of Alexander the Great but also the Seleucidae and other the Successors in the same kingdom Secondly because this Vision must reach unto the last days Chap. 2.28 which could not be if the leggs and feet the extreme and utmost part of the Image should end in the Seleucidae forasmuch as this kingdom expired before the birth of Christ Thirdly because the leggs are said to be of Iron in comparison of the parts and kingdoms going before which were of weaker metal whereas the Seleucidae and other Successors of Alexander had not the strength of Alexander Chap. 8.21 22. Thou wilt say The kingdom is represented by Iron onely in relation to the Church whereunto it was more terrible then the former I reply 1. As the two first kingdoms are represented by unequal Metals the first of Gold the second of Silver to note an absolute inferiority of the one unto the other Chap. 2.39 so by proportion the two following of Brasse and Iron to note an absolute imparity in strength between the later and the former Wherefore the Iron kingdom must be absolutely and in it self stronger then the Brazen and not onely in respect of particular exercise and employment of its strength against the people of the Church 2. The Iron kingdom is expresly said to be as Iron because it bruised all these that is the former kingdoms and not because more terrible to
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
Philosophical and Scholastical understanding whereby he is said to see and understand dark mysteries Chap. 8.23 8. He is said to have a mouth speaking presumptuous or great things Verse 8 25 that is magisterially to teach and dictate false Doctrines and such as are of a high nature against the Person Offices and Worship of the Sonne of God Revel 13.5 6 and with great insolency and presumption of spirit Dan. 11.36 and with Scholastical profundities and an ambitious style of speaking Dan. 8.23 9. It is said particularly that he shall think that he may change Laws and Times He shall not onely change them but also think it lawful for him so to do as supreme Vicar of Christ on earth So he shall change Laws by removing the daily Sacrifice or true Worship in reading hearing and teaching of the Truth in Prayer and Sacraments and by setting up his abominations and Antichristian Idolatries Chap. 11.30 31 and Doctrines of devils Chap. 11.37 38 39. Times he changeth by ordaining superstitious holy days 10. His look is said to be more stout then his fellows that is then the ten horns Vers 20 whereby is signified his exaltation of himself above Kings and Princes whereof see Chap. 11.36 37. 11. The duration of Antichrist is determined by a time two times and a half Vers 25 that is One thousand two hundred and sixty yeers as it is expounded Revel 12.6 14. The rising of Antichrist is to be fixed at the beginning of the fall of the Romane Empire and rising of the ten horns But of this more fully in another place 12. And thus much of the description of Antichrist his nature actions characters and duration Now his Fall and Ruine is described in this manner 1. Daniel is said to behold till the horns were set up Set up not cast down according to the Original This is to note that Antichrist continueth his reign and persecution until the setting up of the Thrones of Judgement So it is more plainly said Verse 21 22 25 26. 2. The ancient of days did sit This is God the Judge called the ancient of days because he ever lived to take notice of and now infallibly to bring to remembrance all the ancient and long-past villanies of the Man of sin 3. His garments were white as snow to note the righteousnesse of his Judgements Will and Actions So his Throne is white for the same end Revel 20.11 12. 4. The hair of his head is like the pure wool to note the righteousnesse of his Counsels and Decrees 5. His throne is like a fiery flame and his wheels like burning fire to note his speed and wrath in coming unto Judgement 6. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him to note the issue and execution of his Judgement beginning in temporal consumptions ending in eternal burnings 7. A thousand thousands ministred unto him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him to note the assistance of his Saints and Angels numberlesse in the sentence and execution of the last Judgement 1 Cor. 6.2 3. 8. The Judgement was set and the Books opened It is set for the destroying of the fourth Beast the Romane Empire and Antichrist after the time two times and a half beginning in temporal destruction finished in eternal and compleated universally in the Resurrection at the end of Fourty and sive yeers Chap. 12.11 12. The Judgement must be set to destroy great Babylon unto the end Vers 26 that is unto end of the said yeers and to the full end and destruction of all the reliques and remainders of Babylon Spiritual And the Books are opened to signifie an open discovery of all the works of Antichrist and his followers that they may be proportionably rewarded 9. Daniel is said to behold them upon the setting up of the thrones of Judgement and again to behold till the Beast was slain to note that although the deadly blowe is given unto Antichrist at the first erecting of the Thrones of Judgement yet the destruction of his kingdom is gradually to be brought unto perfection as in Fourty five yeers before expressed 10. The destruction of Antichrist is declared in three degrees 1. The Beast is slain The Beast is the Romane Empire subsisting under Antichrist and his horns and it is slain to note the deadly blowe given thereunto at the beginning of the Judgement in the battel of Gog and Magog whereof read Ezek. 38. Revel 20.8 2. His body is destroyed This is the second degree noting the gradual destruction of great Babylon the Body and Kingdom of the Beast partly by intestine slaughter partly by the parts falling off and oppressing her under the Standard of the Witnesses of Truth Ezek. 39.1 2 3. Revel 17. The third and last degree is thus expressed And his body was given to the burning fire which noteth the full end and absolute consumption of all the relikes of the kingdom by the end of the Fourty five yeers Compare Verse 26 with Revel 19.20 and 20.14 11. As concerning the rest of the Beasts it is said that they also had their dominion taken away and that their lives were prolonged onely for a season and a time Vers 12. The meaning seemeth to be that not onely the Romane kingdom but all the rest before expressed after the manner thus described passed away forasmuch as they all were temporary and appointed of God to continue onely for a time and season the kingdom of the Saints onely eternal concerning which in the next words 1. Daniel beholdeth this in night-Visions because while the dark night of Calamity covereth the Antichristian world the light ariseth on new Jerusalem Isai 60.1 2. and 21.12 Dan. 12.1 2. One like the Son of man 〈◊〉 in the clonds of heaven The Son of man is Christ the Head including also his Body the Church as appeareth by the interpretation Vers 26 He is said to come and this is his second coming in a large sense comprehending his coming to bear rule on earth by setting up his Kingdom breaking down the enemy and this the space of Fourty five yeers and then his visible appearing at the Resurrection immediately ensuing to finish his new Jerusalem begun in heavenly perfection And in this large description his second Coming is usually taken in the Prophets He is said to come in the clouds of heaven that is on high above the glory and power of the kingdoms of the earth in the supereminent majestie of his Kingdom Revel 11.12 Isa 52.13 Matth. 24.30 3. He is said to come to the Ancient of days that is as Mediator to obtain the kingdom for his Saints removed from the enemy So the Lamb is said to approach to him that sate upon the Throne to receive the Book notwithstanding he that sitteth on the Throne is also Christ as God Revel 5.7 4. It is added that they brought him neer before him Until better light may shine I cannot but conjecture that they do signifie the Saints These
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
his Angel Revel 1.1 and Michael the great Prophecie by the ministery of an Angel in the similitude of a man Dan. 10. And at the presence of the Angel Daniel is terrified and falleth into a deep sleep as proportionably the Saints of the last time to whom these mysteries are discovered under the Antichristian Persecutions but he is revived as they also have been and shall be and he is told that the Vision is of events to be fulfilled in the last time the last wrath the time of the end Vers 17 18 19. The Ram is interpreted as before Verse 20 and the Goat Verse 21. His great horn and the four succeeding Vers 22 but not in the strength of the great horn Alexander the Great also as before Vers 23. ¶ And in the end of their kingdom when the transgressors shall come to the full That is when the Christians revolted into Idolatry shall come to the fulnesse of their Apostacie For the Transgressors are here called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in relation to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Antichristian transgression making desolate Chap. 8.12 13 by which the Christian Church began to be made desolate ever since the beginning of the One thousand two hundred and sixty yeers but the Apostacie or Spiritual desolation came not toward fulnesse or perfection till about the time of Hildebrand after which time the greatnesse of Antichrist here spoken of arose and the encreasing himself by his two Wars ¶ And a King shall stand up This is Antichrist hiddenly with the Barbarians Chap. 7.8 Apoc. 17.12 openly after them He came to maturity in Hildebrand and afterward It followeth ¶ Of an hard or fierce countenance That is of a proud and imperious look not onely in relation to the Saints but also to the Princes of the earth In respect of whom it is said Chap. 7.20 that his look was more stout then his fellows as being proudly imperious and tyrannical also unto them ¶ And understanding dark sentenoes That is dark and profound subtilties such as the Pope and his Clergie-men professe in their Philosophical speculations and questionary Theologie ¶ And his power shall be mighty That is after the time of his maturity which came to passe in Hildebrand after anno 1073. ¶ But not by his own power Because his power did mediately consist in the power of the Christian Princes voluntarily subjected unto him Apoc. 13.3 and 17.17 ¶ And he shall destroy wonderfully Beyond all former example See Chap. 11.24 25 26. The truth hereof is manifest by the History to the full ¶ And shall prosper For he must stand One thousand two hundred and sixty yeers Apoc. 11.2 3. Dan. 12.7 ¶ And shall practice To wit by Military Expeditions and cunning devices ¶ And shall destroy the mighty That is the Turks and Saracens as Chap. 11.25 26. ¶ And the people of the holy Ones That is the Waldenses in a second War equal for greatnesse to the former and immediately succeeding Verse 25. ¶ And through his policie also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hands For by craft and policie he brake down the Waldenses and Princes of the Covenant as it is expounded Chap. 11.23 24. ¶ And he shall magnifie himself in his heart By exalting himself above Secular Kings and Magistrates Chap. 7.20 and 11.36 ¶ And by peace he shall destroy many For under pretence of Peace he entred by flatteries into the Waldensian Countries and made incomparable havock and destruction by his Harpyes the Monks Inquisitors Chap. 11.21 23 24 33. In peace also he destroyed them because in cold blood and times of peace by course of unjust Laws and not of Wars ¶ He shall also stand up against the Prince of princes That is Christ Jesus Prince of the kings of the earth Apoc. 1.5 by subverting his Institutions and setting up his own abominations So it is expounded Chap. 8 1◠11. and 11.37 38 39. ¶ But he shall be broken down without hand That is without the hand of man and by the onely power of God Almighty The phrase is expounded Chap. 2.44 45. See 2 Thess 2.8 Dan. 7.19 22. Chap. 12.1 Apoc. 17.4 and 19.19 20 21. A Question is asked Vers 13. How long And the answer is Verse 14 To the evening and morning Two thousand and three hundred The Two thousand and three hundred of mornings and evenings are just half so many compleat days to wit One thousand one hundred and fifty days and days are yeers See in Luthers Life If these begin from the yeer 360 together with the yeer 1290 Chap. 12.11 they will end at 1510 when by Luther the Sanctuary began to be purged and because of the round number that yeer may be pointed at rather then 1516 or 1517. Although from Damasus the first Pope that entred in after the manner of an Antichrist to wit from 367 the One thousand one hundred and fifty yeers will expire precisely at 1517. But because two evenings are according to Scripture to every compleat day Exod. 12.6 and proportionably two mornings also and forenoon is morning and afternoon is evening Exod. 29.39 Dan. 9.21 and also the evening of the night to wit the fore-part thereof Psal 30.5 6 and morning Exod. 14 or later part thereof and so after this manner Four mornings and evenings will compleat one day Hence another way of accommodation will arise by numbring the days or yeers according to the fourth part of the Two thousand and three hundred and so the yeer will be 575. And if the particular state and acts of Antichrist described in this Chapter are in this number circumscribed the greatnesse of Hildebrand the Pope and his rising above the Emperour beginning in 1075 as Calvisius declareth from thence Five hundred seventy and five yeers will precisely run out before the yeer 1650 which is the first yeer of the great Purgation os the Sanctuary according to the way of accommodation as shall be shewed upon Chap. 12.7 11 12. The fourth Prophecie Dan. 9 of the Seventy weeks The Controversal Part. THis was revealed unto Daniel in the time of the evening-Oblation v. 21 and after that he had long and earnestly sought the Lord. The meaning also of this Prophecie hath been long sought by sundry pious and learned Divines and for many hundred yeers but it may be that the unsealing of it is reserved to the evening of the world proportionately to the other Prophecies of Daniel which were to be sealed up until the time of the end Dan. 8.26 27. and 12.4 10. The general and received opinion hath been and is that these weeks began at the going forth of the Regal Edict for restauration of Jerusalem after the Babylonian Captivity But the accommodation of this opinion and of the yeers unto the thing is exceeding various and divided by manifold opinions and all of them clogged as I suppose with inextricable difficulties For some begin these yeers at the fourth yeer of Zedekiah
these grounds of probability I will adventure to propose the Interpretation following with submission to the judgement of Brethren and evidence of clearer light The second Part. The Interpretation of the Prophecie of the Seventy weaks Dan. 9.24 25 26 27. ¶ SEventy weeks A day for a yeer Vers 24. as Gen. 6.3 Ezek. 4.6 Apoc. 11.3 8. Levit. 25.8 Seventy weeks are Seventy weeks of yeers that is Four hundred and ninety yeers Therefore unto this kinde of weeks are opposed three weeks of days by distinction Chap. 10.2 ¶ are determined Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cut out Gras in Dan. 9. or accurately and precisely determined so that by the end of the Seventy weeks the effects following shall be precisely fulfilled ¶ upon the people and upon the holy citie That is upon the true Christian Church within these Seventy weeks of yeers to be gathered out of the Spiritual Babylon of Antichrist See Apoc. 11.2 Now observe that as Daniel was confessing the sins of his people intreating pardon and purgation of them Vers 20 so accordingly the Angel is come to shew not onely that sin should be pardoned and purged but also the time and yeer thereof Therefore it followeth ¶ to make an end of transgression 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the Antichristian defection or apostacie Dan. 8.12 13. 2 Thess 2.3 To make an end of it is to cut off by the Word and by the spirit of judgement and consuming affliction the utmost remnant of the honourable use of the very names of Antichristian Idols from among the holy people Zech. 13.1 2. Zeph. 1.4 Hos 2.17 So signifieth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dan. 12.7 Psal 59.14 Jer. 5.10 18 c. ¶ and to consume sins 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to consume by the word and judgement Dan. 8.23 Psal 104.35 and 101.8 and 46.6 And the external and greater acts of sin against the moral Law may be especially signified in distinction from the Antichristian transgression ¶ and to purge iniquity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the iniquity in general even the first motions and original sin Psal 51.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to forgive Psal 71.38 and 65.4 Jer. 18.23 and to purge or take away Isai 6.7 and 27.9 So to purge iniquity is to seal to the Saints the forgivenesse of their iniquity and also to wash and purge it from them by the word and by the spirit of judgement and burning See Ezek. 20.37 38. Isai 1.2 3 25 26. and 27.9 ¶ and to bring in everlasting righteousnesse That is the righteousnesse of New Jerusalem whereunto an entrance shall be made at the end of these yeers See Apoc. 27. â—1 Isai 60.21 and especially Isai 1.25 26 27 28 a place exactly parallel to this and Dan. 8.14 and 12.12 ¶ and to seal up the vision and prophet To seal is to put the last hand to the writing to make a full end and accomplishment thereof The vision and prophet are the Visions and Prophecies in the Scripture that shall be fulfilled See Apoc. 10.6 For then the kingdom of the Saints shall be set up foretold by all the holy Prophets Dan. 2.44 ¶ and to anoint the most holy Or holy of holies By the anointing of the holy of holies which was of the Altar for Sacrifice and Offerings Exod. 29.36 27 may be signified to bring in the perfect Worship in Spirit and in Truth in opposition to the couse of Antichrist by whom the daily Sacrifice was removed Dan. 11.31 and the Oblation caused to cease Chap. 9.27 the same which is said Mal. 3.3 And he shall purifie the sons of Levi and purge them at gold and silver that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousnesse Then he that shall be left in Zion and he that shall remain in Jerusalem shall be called holy every one shall be written among the living in Jerusalem When the Lord shall wash the filthinesse of the daughters of Zion and purge the blood of Jerusalem out of the midst thereof by the spirit of judgement and by the spirit of burning Isa 4.3 4. The special Tractation of the Seventy weeks their threefold division Vers 25 26 27. ¶ KNow therefore and understand Here is an invitation to understand this Prophecie as a matter of great moment A pondering consideration of it is enjoyned also as being a matter of great difficulty So our Lord speaking of the Abomination of desolation foretold by Daniel the Prophet exhorteth Let him that readeth consider Matth. 24.14 ¶ From the going forth of the word It is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the commandment but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And it may be the Word preached in the mouth of the Waldenses It began to go forth in the yeer 1160. ¶ To bring again and to build Jerusalem A Metaphor borrowed from the restoring of a ruinated City Jerusalem is the Christian Church It had lain desolate and ruined in the Antichristian Apostacie To bring again and build it is spiritually to restore and reform it by the Word of truth which began to go forth in the mouth of the Waldenses ¶ Unto a Messiah governour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is all one with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chap. 11.22 the Prince of the Covenant or the Political Governour anointed as the Kings of Israel and Judah for the protection of the Church Mark it is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ the King or Governour but without 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 restraining as anointed Governour that is a Civil Magistrate Two kindes of Messiah are spoken of in Scripture the Priest the King and a third is said to be anointed the Prophet 1 King 29.16 Psal 105.15 The Priest is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Levit. 4.5 16 The priest the anointed This with the Prophet is the Messiah Ecclesiastical The Messiah Political is here called by Daniel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an anointed governour ¶ Shall be seven weeks Seven weeks of yeers are understood that is Fourty and nine yeers This first division of yeers is cut out expresly for the setting up of a political Messiah And it is the end declared in the very Text and otherwise it cannot easily be seen why this first division of yeers should be cut off or parted from the following divisions Now a Messiah Ecclesiastical was set up in the beginning of the yeers For the Word went forth in the Waldensian Pastors for the Spiritual Restauration of mystical Jerusalem the Church of Christ out of the captivity and desolation under Babylon Antichristian in the yeer 1160. But a Political Messiah did not openly and professedly arise for the defence and protection of the Waldensian Churches against the violence of Antichrist till Seven weeks or Fourty nine yeers after And so the history doth expresly shew to wit that the Waldensian Princes did professedly stand up in War against the Pope in defence of the Waldenses or Albingenses in the yeer 1209 and from
place ¶ And unto the end of the War even determined shall be desolations So I translate referring 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Adjective unto 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And the meaning is that unto the full end of the last week shall continue the desolations of the Churches at least according to the visible frame and appearance of them in publike Worship Vers 27. ¶ And he shall confirm a covenant to many for one week He that is Antichrist the Prince immediately before spoken of And in the last week or in the last Seven yeers of the Seventy weeks shall confirm a Covenant with many that is with many of his own people as in the former Verse Papists or Antichristians or favourers unto them that by them he may destroy the Citie and Sanctuary before spoken of Haply also by sleights and subtil tricks he shall bring in many others within the circuit of the Covenant who having unawares engaged themselves shall be forced by their endeavours to promove the ends of the Covenant For the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to cause a Covenant to prevail over any and so may import so much as hath been said Wherefore the Jewish Rabbines referring these passages to the times of Vespasian say the meaning to be this that Titas Vespasian should make a fraudulent Covenant with many of the Jews that by disjoyning them he might the more easily prevail against them ¶ And in the midst of the week he shall cause the Sacrifice and Oblation to cease The Sacrifice and Oblation mystically signifieth Christian Woship Mal â—3 4 and the exercise of the Ordinances which Antichrist shall cause to cease in respect of the publike and open solemnities thereof howbeit he shall not effect or accomplish this before the midst of the last week to be continued to the end thereof the space precisely of three yeers and half expressed elsewhere by three days and half Revel 11.8 and here by the later half of the last week ¶ And for the overspreading of abominations he shall make desolate That is for this end that he may spread and diffuse and set up in all places the Worship of his Antichristian abominations he shall make desolate the true Church by causing her true Worship or publike solemnities to cease ¶ Even until the consummation and that determined be poured out upon the desolate It is said to be determined because precisely cut out or limited as the Seventy weeks in general Vers 24 to be ended at the end of them Until this end from the beginning of the One thousand two hundred and sixty days Dan. 11.36 and principally from the midst of the last week the consumption must be poured out upon the desolate And so at the end of the Seventy weeks the Transgression or Antichristian Apostacie being made an end of and sins consumed and iniquity purged by the Spirit and Word and by judgement or affliction everlasting and glorious righteousnesse must follow and the erection of the high kingdom of Saints foretold in the Prophets and Visions of the Old Testament and the Unction of the mystical Altar for the bringing of free-will-Offerings in righteousnesse and pure and holy Worship in the beauties of holinesse So Verse 24. Now if the Seventy weeks begin from Waldus that is from the yeer 1106 then this last doleful week will begin precisely in 1643 and the midst of the said week will be in 1646 from which yeer the three days and half of last affliction will run down to be fully ended in the yeer 1649. Proportionately if the One thousand two hundred and sixty yeers of the reign of Antichrist begin from the yeer 390 which is one way of accommodation as shall be shewed then they will precisely expire also in the said yeer 1649 and so will end together with the Seventy weeks or Four hundred and ninety yeers But if the Seventy weeks begin from Wickliff or from the yeer 1370 then the last week cannot be expecteed till Seven yeers immediately to come before the yeer 1860 that is above Two hundred yeers hence And proportionately if the One thousand two hundred and sixty yeers of the reign of Antichrist begin from the yeer 600 which is the second way of accommodation as shall be shewed then they will precisely expire also immediately before the said yeer 1860 that is precisely with the Seventy weeks according to their second accommodation The probabilities of both ways are such that I must professe I cannot judge or determine which of the twain is to be followed Howbeit I thought it needful to declare my thoughts Two or three yeers will determine the Controversie as yet undetermined An Answer to an Objection BUt against all that hath been said it will be objected that in this present Prophecie answer was given unto Daniel as he read the Prophecie of Jeremiah speaking of the material restitution of the Jews after Seventy yeers Captivity and as he prayed for the accomplishment thereof and therefore that the restitution of Jerusalem here spoken of must necessarily be understood of that which went before the first coming of our Saviour This Objection doth not move my judgement at all forasmuch as I am convinced of the use and custom of the Prophets who bring in types and figures ordinarily and touch them a little onely making way closely and hiddenly thereby to speak of greater things shadowed thereby See Isa 7. and 37.30 31. Matth. 24.2 3. Hag. 2. Psal 72 and 89 c. So Daniel here cast his thoughts on the Restauration out of Babylon temporal but closely under it he was by the Spirit led to the Restauration out of Babylon spiritual Besides Jeremiah himself speaking of the Restauration after Seventy yeers doth mystically imply and under figures describe the Restauration out of Babylon spiritual as the passages Jer. 29 and 33 and 50 and 51 do shew and the Apocalyptical accommodations make evident Daniel therefore enquiring into the Prophecie of Jeremiah concerning the Restauration of the Church enquired not onely after the Restauration of the Jews but after the Restauration of the Church in general and glorious and spiritual principally intended and desired of all Saints and therefore was led by the Spirit of God to the Restauration out of Babylon spiritual as sutable most unto his prayers and inquisitions Secondly Daniel fasted and prayed afterward as Chap. 10 so as here he is described and yet answers are given him at large concerning Antichrist and the state of the Church in the last times Matth. 24.15 Chap. 11 as appeareth evidently by the Abomination of desolation Chap. 11.31 which was after the coming of Christ to be set up and by sundry other Arguments There not a word of the reduction of the Jews but onely of the mystical people of Daniel out of the Babylon of Antichrist So here The Fifth and great Prophecie Dan. 10.11.12 Dan. 10. DAniel being prepared by abstinence humiliation prayer Vers 1 c. a
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
by the glorious and holy mountain he erected his Kingdom oppressing the Waldenses Verse 31 32. But shortly he shall come to his end the yeers 1260 being expired CHAP. 12. VErse 1. And at that time shall Michael stand up That is Christ Apoc. 12.7 and it shall be a time of trouble the time of the sixth seal seventh trumpet seventh vyall Apoc. 16.18 and at that time thy people shall be delivered For now shall be the Kingdom of Saints wherein they shall dwell in safety their enemies rooted out in the space of 45 yeers Verse 12. and the elect remnant of them converted Joel 2.32 Verse 2. Many That is all Rom. 5. or because then many shall rise to life and many to shame Thus the generall resurrection is compounded with the last plague on Antichrist Verse 12 13. Apoc. 11.18 Sect. 16. Concerning the times or years set down Apoc. 11. and 12. and 13. Dan. 7. and 12. c. IN this businesse three things are to be orderly dispatched First we must search out the Characters of the beginning and ending of these years Secondly we must shew that it is possible needfull yea required that by the Characters of their beginning and ending we should search out their accommodation Thirdly I will endeavour to accommodate them by the direction of their Characters according to the measure of knowledge wherewith the Lord hath hitherto been pleased to enlighten me The Characters of their beginning are these The beginning of the two witnesses to prophesie in sackcloth Apoc. 11.3 the beginning of giving up the holy City into the hands of the Gentiles or Nations to be troden under feet Apoc. 11.2 The beginning of removing the daily sacrifice and of secting up the abomination to make desolate Dan. 12.11 The beginning of the working of Antichrist Apoc. 13.5 6. Dan. 7.25 and of his rising among the ten horns Dan. 7.8 Apoc. 17.12 the fall or casting down of the heathen Dragon and begining of the Dragons flood by way of revenge and of the womans being in the wildernesse and the beginning of subversion of the Christian Emperours Apoc. 12.5 6 8 13 14 15. But in speciall I urge foure Characters of the beginning of these years three whereof are set down together Apoc. 12.13 14 15 16. The first the utter extinction of the Dragon in the heathen Emperours v. 13. The second the flight of the woman the Christian Church into the wildernesse of spirituall and temporall desolation v. 14. The third the rising of the Flood of the Northern Barbarians v. 15. The fourth the beginning of Antichristian Idolatry The Characters of their ending are these To accomplish to scatter the power of the holy people Dan. 12.7 An end of Antichrists raign in changing the Laws and wearing out the Saints of the most high Dan. 7.25 Apoc. 13.5 6. The rising of the Church from under the persecutions of the beast Apoc. 11.3 7 11. The beginning of the Kingdom of the Saints and of new Jerusalem Dan. 7.25 26. Apoc. 11.11 12 13 14 15. The ceasing of the conculcation of the holy city Ap. 11.2 The ceasing of the Two Witnesses prophecying in Sackcloth Apoc. 11.3 The ceasing of the desolation of the Church Dan. 12.11 and of the Womans hiding in the wildernesse Apoc. 12.6 14. The bringing in of everlasting righteousnesse defaecation and purgation of the Saints Dan. 9.24 And concerning the time of the end of forty five years after the foresaid years it is said Dan. 12.13 But go thou thy way till the end be for thou shalt rest and stand up in thy lot at the end of the dayes I come now to the second point intended to shew that it is possible needfull yea required that by these Characters we should search out the accommodation of the years But here a great difficulty doth arise which in the first place must be removed For our Saviour in his answer to the Apostles asking the time of the restoring of Israel saith that It was not for them to know the times and seasons which the Father hath put in his own hands Act. 1.6 7. Whereby he seemeth to signifie that the exact time and year of the restoring of Israel that is of the beginning of the Kingdom of the Saints and destruction of Antichrist is hidden and unknown and not to be made manifest to man If this be so then either the foresaid years are not determined for the bringing in of this effect contrary to that which hath been shewed or else they are so at least proposed in Scripture that yet they shall never be searched out nor known by man untill the end is fully come Again Matthew 24.36 our Saviour having spoken of the last time wherein the Enemy shall be destroyed and the Kingdom of the Saints arise verse 29 33. subjoyneth But of that day and hour knoweth no man no not the Angels of Heaven but my Father onely Which is also farther amplified and confirmed by that which followeth v. 37. For as the dayes of Noah so shall also the coming of the Son of man be For as in the dayes before the Flood they did eat and drink c. and knew nothing till the Flood came and swept them all away so shall also the coming of the Son of man be Which the Apostle Paul confirmeth also 1 Thess 5. 1 2 3. But of the times and seasons Brethren ye need not that I write unto you For you your selves know perfectly that the day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night For when they shall say Peace and safety then shall come upon them sudden destruction Whereunto may be added that which is said of the last afflictions of the Church Psalm 74.9 We see not our signs there is not one Prophet more nor any with us that knoweth how long Lastly the uncertainty of the time is made by Christ an argument to stir us up to watchfulnesse Luke 12.40 Be ye therefore ready also for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not So Mark 13. verse 35. Watch ye therefore for ye know not when the master of the house cometh at Even or at Midnight or at the Cock-crowing or at the Morning lest coming suddenly he finde you sleeping And what I say unto you I say unto all Watch. So Matthew 24.42 Wake therefore for yee know not what hour your Master will come For answer unto these Scriptures I say as followeth First to Act. 1.6 7. that it was not for the Apostles or any of that age to know the time of the restoring of Israel yet neverthelesse it is for them to know it that live in the last age The Father also hath reserved it in his own power howbeit in respect onely of superiour ages from which he purposed to conceal it not in respect of the last age whereunto he purposed to reveal it So in like manner it was not for Daniel to search and understand the time two times and a half at the
end whereof the Kingdom must begin to be set up howbeit these times are to be unsealed to the last age about the time of the end as it is expresly said Dan. 12.7 8 9 10. Unto that Mat. 24.36 and the other passages annexed I answer two wayes First as for the wicked the day the hour the time the year is to be hidden from their foreknowledge And this our Saviour intendeth when he compares the times of Noah and when he saith that day should come upon them as a snare and the like See 2 Pet. 3.3 4. Mat. 24.37 39. 1 Thess 5.1 2 3. For Noah did foreknow the year of the Flood though the wicked did not Gen. 6.3 and so in the last times the Saints shall understand when none of the wicked shall understand Dan. 12.10 Secondly as concerning the Saints our Saviour doth not simply and absolutely deny unto them the foreknowledge of the time for he knew that the time was to be revealed to his Saints near unto the end Dan. 12.4 10. But he denyeth it onely to the Saints present and far distant from the end to whom it was to be unknown Dan. 12.4 9 10. And for this end lest the long distance should cause security therefore our Saviour doth accordingly propose the time as for the present hidden and maketh use also of the end for which it was hidden by dehorting from security and stirring up to watchfulnesse But as for the Saints of the last age the foreknowledge of the end cannot occasion unto them security to whom it is not far off but rather watchfulnesse because it is near And therefore as in the time of Christ the Saints were to be stirred up to watchfulnesse because the time of the end was unknown so now they are to be stirred up to watchfulnesse because the time of the end is known Being then far off and therfore if known apt to hinder watchfulnes Now near and therefore by knowledge apt to cause it Unto Psal 74.9 first it may be questioned Of what time the Psalmist speaketh Secondly If he speaketh of the last time then either of those unto whom the light of the Prophesies hath not yet fully shined or in comparison with precedent times when they had Prophets extraordinarily and immediately sent unto them whereas now they should have none such but only mediate and ordinary teachers delivering conjecturall interpretations of numbers mystically involved Thirdly the complaint may be not of the want of knowledge simply but of the losse and great slaughter of the teachers by whom knowledge of the times was manifested Lastly although the uncertainty of the time is made by Christ an argument to stir us up to watchfulnesse yet this hindreth not but that the yeer of the end or at least the propinquity may be known to the Saints in the last age For the time was absolutely uncertain to the present age wherein Christ spake and therefore unto it the absolute uncertainty of the end might and ought to be applied as a provocation and incentive unto watchfulnesse Sect. 17. Arguments to prove that the foresaid years are possible and ought to bee searched FIrst the foresaid years are possible and ought to be searched because revealed in the word Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures Rom. 15.4 Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Secondly because those years are parts of that prophesie and of those things to come which God the Father gave unto his Son to send and shew unto his servants Apoc. 1.1 Christ did not send to shew the matter without the sense but that it should be understood therefore we must search to understand Thirdly because it is said of all the prophesie and consequently of the times therein contained blessed is he that readeth and they that hear this words of this prophesie Apoc. 1.3 And it is not a livelesse reading and hearing without understanding which is here spoken of For such a reading maketh not blessed Acts 8.30 Besides it is such a reading as may be the rule of practise and therefore it is added and keep those things that are written therein and consequently it must be with understanding Fourthly to come neer our Saviour alledging the prophesie of Daniel concerning the abomination of desolation whereby the foresaid times are declared and characterized Dan. 11.31 c. 12.11 addeth with all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 let him that readeth understand The same speech is applied to the 70 weeks of years which determine the same events with the years above mentioned know therefore and understand Dan. 9.24 Fifthly as the time of the end is neerer at hand so the prophesie and consequently the times included are to be unsealed Dan. 12.14 Apoc. 22.10 and 1 3. Sixthly I argue expresly from Dan. 12. where the time two times and halfe being proposed Verse 7. and Daniel professing he understood not Verse 8. an answer is given Verse 9. that the words were sealed up till the time of the end that is untill the last time immediately before the end as the phrase is used Apoc. 11.7 Therefore in the time immediately before the end those words are to be unsealed which is farther proved by Verse 10. Many shall be tried made white and purified but none of the wicked shall understand but the wise shall understand And it is farther confirmed by the Verse following where what they should understand at that time in particular is more fully signified and from the time saith the Angel that the dayly sacrifice shall be taken away and the abomination making desolate set up shall be 1290 dayes Seventhly I argue from the end intended in setting down these years which was as learned Napier speaketh to prevent security and move unto repentance The knowledge of the end saith he hath been concealed from former ages to prevent security but it is to be revealed to the last age to move unto repentance For these ends then the foresaid years are now to be searched and understood and to sustain us also in the time of the end the foresaid years are to be unsealed Dan. 12.4 And so our Saviour expresly subjoyneth Mat. 24.21 22 23 24 25. behold I have told you all before For to know that it must be so in such a time and how short the affliction shall be will be a stay and comfort to our faith that it faint not Mat. 24.22 Psal 74.9 Sect. 18. The conclusion Chap. 12. vers 4. VErse 4. But thou O Daniel shut up these words and seal the book even to the time of the end Therefore these mysteries were to be hidden from the ages before the time of the end and in the time of the end only to be revealed many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased That is by meditation searching to and fro to find out the mysteries Or by travailing to and fro as the Waldenses to and learn propagate the
Clergy and other Will-worship and Antichrist in him began of a little horn to become a great horn and presently thereupon exceeding great in the war against the Turks and Albingenses which estate of his seeing it is onely handled in the foresaid chapter no marvell if a number of years proportionate unto such a state of Antichrist was cut out in the said place 5. The years 390. according to the round number or at large 391. and an hour Ap. 9.14 do appertain unto the solution of the Turks which by the dissentions of the Latines and movings of the Tartars began to be loosed from about the year 1260. and two years before in some degree so that the hour may be in 1258. the day the year following and the 390 from 1260. See Brov. annal Thus the Turks will cease to be loosed in the year 1649. and the next year following may they begin to fall together with the Pope if this former way of Accommodation doth hold Although in respect of remisse degrees the Turk began to be loosed in Saladin about the year 1169. Calvis and so his 390. years will expire immediatly before 1559. from which time the Turkish power and Kingdom hath continually decayed The second way of Accommodation of the years NOw that the Popes Kingdom more properly so called that is the commanding and effectuall and open state thereof and the more perfect state of the foresaid signes thereof do set beginning to these years the following Arguments will plead on the other side 1. The Beast or little horn that is the Pope is said expresly to rise into his Kingdom after the ten horns being thenceforth about to raign the time two times and half Dan. 7.24 25. It will be answered He rose with them in respect of small beginnings but after them in respect of open manifestation of his Kingdom See Apoc. 17.12 But howsoever thus much may be gathered That according to this place it will not be inconvenient or unreasonable to begin the years of Antichrist after the rising of the ten horns and from the manifestation and open power of his Kingdom but rather very connaturall unto it 2. The Beast is said expresly to rise into his Kingdom after the Dragons flood and the drying up thereof being about to raign 42. moneths which signifie all the years of Antichrist Apoc. 12.16 17 18. with cap. 13.1 5 6. Now the Dragons flood was the flood of the Northern Barbarians forasmuch as the waters cast out of his mouth do properly signifie Nations Tongues and People Apoc. 17.15 flowing out upon the Church at the mouth or suggestion of the Devil Their flood was dryed up partly when they were subdued by Justinian partly when they were united with the earthly part of Christendom in Antichristian Religion It may be answered That after this time indeed the Beast arose into the open state and power of his Kingdom in appearance according to the similitude of other Kingdoms But in small and dark beginnings that he began before and that from those small beginnings his years are to be numbred howsoever they be set down under the open state thereof Compare Apoc. 12.14 with cap. 13.5 6. But this will be sufficient for our purpose that it will be very consonant and agrecable to this place to begin the years of Antichrist from his latter state and not unnaturall thereunto howsoever we cannot prove that certainly it is so 3. Dan. 11.19 to 21. So expresly after the inundation of the Northern Barbarians and after the Restauration also by Justinian Antichrist is brought in succeeding in the Kingdom But it may be answered as before That then indeed began the glory of his Kingdom or some small degree of glory at the least Although he had the Kingdom before even with Justinian and before him also yet without the glory of the Kingdom compare Dan. 11. v. 20. with v. 21. and both with v. 19. This howsoever seemeth to follow from the words that this second state or degree of Antichrist his Kingdom may constitute a very naturall and convenient beginning for the duration of his reign especially seeing in such accommodation of the yeers all numbers will agree and every one of them from very reasonable and satisfactory terms of beginning According to this second way we may set beginnings thus unto the years 1290 From 570 end in the year 1859. 1260 From 600 end in the year 1859. 1150 From 710 end in the year 1859. 490 From 1370 end in the year 1859. First 1290. may begin in 570 according to the round number For then upon the coming of the Longebards into Italy began the evident and open state of the Popes Kingdom So expresly Machiavel in his History of Florence l. 1. Caeperunt hec tempore pontifices Romani majori esse in dignitate quam antea fuerant Paulo post Vix alia erat pontificum dignitas et aestimatio prater eam quam vitae sancti monia sibi paraverant et doctrina ante aetatem Longobardorum Rursum Quum autem Longobardi jn Italiam jam venirent et illa in factiones plurimas scissa esset adaugebatur pontificia potestas hoc eorum adventu Quum enim pontifex caput esset et princeps urbis Romanae imperator vero Constantinopoli preesset itase tempori et praesenti rerum statui accommodabant Longobardi ac Longinus ut mediante pontifice populum Romanum sibi devincirent non ut subditus illorum esset sed socius et nunc horum nunc Grecorum artes sequentes pontifices mirum quam adaugebant suam dignitatem Secondly the 1260 yeers may fitly begin in the yeer 600. according to the round number Then began Gregory the Pope to deform the Church with rites and superstitions Alsted Chron. Myst iniq And indeed the Historicall use of Images began about the yeer 400. but the solitary Images of Saints began not to be set up in Temples before the yeer 600. Perk. yet the Pope approved not the worship of them Then began Gregory the Pope to command a litany for the invocation of Saints to be sung publikely Then saith Perkins of a commemoration of Saints was made an invocation of them â—rkins â—â— Imaâ—â— Casâ—der About the same yeer Gregory the Pope contended about the Primacy with the Patriark of Constantinople And about six yeers after the yeer 600. the Pope was made by Phocas universall Bishop and then first was the priviledge confirmed to the Church of Rome to wit of Primacy over all Churches Alsted lastly from about this time the Pope began to send forth his emissaries for the subjecting of the ten horns and people of Christendom unto his papall authority Thirdly the 1150 yeers being the halfe of the 2300. Dan. 8.13 14. by taking only one morning and one evening for one full day may begin most fitly at the yeer 710. For then Antichrist began publikely and in open councels to authorize the worshipping of Images and to establish the
same and the invocation of Saints and to maintain the same by constant persecutions Alsted Chronol cap. de conciliis Sigon de regno Ital. Centur. Magdebur Then also began the Pope to exercise power and dominion over Kings and Emperours Sigon Balgus And from this time forward he ceased not to pursue the Emperours of the East in favour of Idolatry untill such time as he had utterly cast them out of Italy and established his owne Kingdom in the Empire of the Franks Platina Onuphrius Fourthly the 490 yeers or 70 weeks of yeers may begin at the yeer 1370 as hath been said from the time of Wickliffe Of this I have already spoken So all the numbers in this second way will precisely end in the yeer 1859. Now let the Reader consider and judge Fifthly the solution of the Turks notwithstanding this second way may begin in the foresaid yeer 1260. and continuing 390 yeers may end immediately before 1650 or else beginning from about 1300 may possibly run out 40 yeers after Or happily beginning in remisse degrees from about 1169 may be extended to 1559. and so the end of the strength of the Turkish Kingdom may be determined by these yeers proportionably to the five moneths of the Kingdom of the Sarasins and not the absolute and perfect end thereof Concerning the 1000 yeers Apoc. 20.3 THe Dragon is not simply the Devil but with seven heads and ten horns Chap. 12.3 that is the Devil in the Roman Empire He in his heathen estate or in the Heathen Emperours had through all the Roman Empire seduced the Nations C 12.9 to wit with heathenisme and in the way of opposition to the Church But he was cast down out of his throne in the times of Constantine Christ then taking possession of the throne together with the Saints Chap. 12.5 10. But he by the barbarous Nations as by many waters overflowing the Empire of the West and afterward stirring and raising up Antichrist beginning openly to reign and with the Barbarians to subjugate the Church about the yeer 600. even now seemed about to obtain and to recover that amplitude of power and dominion for the seducing of the Nations in his second or Antichristian state which before he had obtained in his first or Ethnick state This greatnes and efficacy of power that he might not yet obtain he was forthwith by the six first plagues of the Vials more and more to be bound and imprisoned as it were in a bottomlesse pit for the space of a thousand yeers and those thousand yeers being ended he is for a little space to be loosed in Antichrist to obtain that power at least comparatively which before he had in his Heathen state So then after these 1000 yeers he shall recover himself out of all the former plagues of the Vials and having subdued the withesses in the West he shall go forth without impediment to gather all Nations against the holy City and upon this occasion he shall come to an end by the seventh Viall The Dragon in Antichrist and in the Antichristian horns gradually ascending to the height the Saints or holy people began as it were to be beheaded Apoc. 20.4 which phrase I. believe is here applied for mysticall signification forasmuch as it was not usuall or customary with Antichrist to kill the Saints by such a kind of death properly understood but mystically he beheaded them by the word and censures wrongfully applied pronouncing them to be schismaticks and hereticks and so cut off from Christ as the body from the head and then prosecuting them as excommunicate and cut off from Christ with persecutions first of lesser kind before the times of Waldus and after unto death The Saints in this estate arose in their own defence and by the word and censures did as it were behead the Antichristians pronouncing them excommunicate and cut off from Christ and thereby exposed them unto the judgement of the Vials Now God approved the word and sentence in their mouths and thereupon followed it with plagues whereby the Dragon in the Antichristians shall be imprisoned and restrained a thousand yeers unto the end of the sixth Viall And then a short solution intervening for the gathering of all Nations shall afterward be utterly cut off by the seventh Viall Thus then the Saints did reign a thousand yeers to wit by the word and prophesie as it is also expressed Apoc. 11.5 6. and unto the foresaid last solution of the Antichristians out of the bottomlesse pit Apoc. 11.7 and they reigned by bringing the Vialls in the way of prophesie as it is affirmed in the same place Apoc. 11.6 Thus also they are said to reign as Priests of God and of Christ Apoc. 20.7 that is by the word and prayer For in this manner Priests do use to reign Therefore the Saints or Angels which are the Ministers of the seven Vials are brought in clothed with fine linnen which was the habit of the Priests Ezek. 44. and coming as Priests out of the Temple Apoc. 15.5 6. to pour them out by the word and prayer upon the Antichristians And in this sense they are said to be set on thrones and to have judgement put into their hands Apoc. 20.4 which is the judgement of the seven Vials Apocalyps 14.7 and 15.4 and 16.7 Now whereas the Saints are said to smite the Antichristians with ulcers and blood and fire as in the four first Vials and then to darken the Kingdom of Antichrist as in the fifth and afterward to dry up the waters of his Kingdom in the sixth what is this but at least to bind and restrain the Dragon in the Antichristians And we can also shew that these six Vials let the yeers of Antichrist be measured which way you will must continue the space of a 1000 yeers And expresly after that these six Vials are ended it is said as after the end of the 1000 yeers that the Dragon with the Beast is loosed to gather all Nations together against the time of the last Viall Compare Apoc. 16.13 14 15. with Apoc. 20.3 8 9. These two places namely Apocalyps 11.5 6 7. and 16.13 14. compared with Apocalyps 20.3 8 9. I suppose sufficient for the answering of any objections that may be opposed to our interpretation Whereunto may be added that in Daniel 9.24 25 26 27. where the Church is brought in standing and prevailing that is reigning all along from its first beginning untill the last week which agreeth with the time of the solution of the Dragon for a little space at the end of his 1000 years For we must understand these expressions not in a sense absolute but comparative And as the primitive Saints notwithstanding the ten successive Persecutions are brought in reigning and prevailing more and more against the Heathen Emperours to wit by the word and prayer the fight of faith and patience accompanied with sutable effects of the Gospel and of judgement untill they were utterly cast down in the dayes
little season they might be prepared for the last and great Vial which shall expire and be compounded with the general Resurrection and final Conclusion of all Judgement Now if the Vials begin from 620 then accordingly the sixth Vial will end and therewithall the 1000 yeers in 1620. From which time the Dragon shall gradually be loosed first with various successe as the fifth Seal Apoc. 6.11 and the Hail-stone spotted Horses Zech. 6.6 do insinuate and then by three dayes and half of final Triumph his solution shall run out in the yeer 1649 precisely together with the 2260 yeers of Antichrist according to one of the two wayes of Accommodation But if the Vials begin from 840 then accordingly the sixth Vial will end and therewithall the 1000 yeers the space of about 20 yeers before 1860 and so the solution of the Beast and Dragon which is to be at the end of the 1000 yeers will precisely expire with the yeers of Antichrist according to the other way of Accommodation This is certain that when these yeers shall have an end immediately shall follow the glorious time of New-Jerusalem to the joy of all Saints Whereof it is said Isai 60.1 Arise O Jerusalem and shine for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee It is also very evident unto me That this glory of New Jerusalem beginning at the end of the yeers of Antichrist is consummated in Heavenly glory as the utmost degree thereof So that the Heavenly Estate according to the use of the holy Prophets entereth into the composition of New Jerusalem and of the state of new Heavens and new Earth For the state of these new Heavens and new Earth promised in the Prophecy of Isaiah is such a state wherein all Saints do expect their share and portion Universally as the Apostle Peter doth expresse 2 Pet. 3. And therefore it must necessarily be the state of Heavenly perfection which is at least inclusively spoken off by the Prophet Isaiah For thus go the words of the Apostle 2 Pet. 3.13 14. Neverthelesse we that is we all all Saints and Christians according to his promise that is as it is promised unto us in the Prophecy of Isaiah which we have a little before Interpreted do look for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousnesse that is all righteous people and without defilement of sin and sinful society It followeth Vers 14. Wherefore Beloved seeing that ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot and blamelesse Furthermore the general Resurrection and last Judgement are evidently brought in Apo. 20.11 12. as the Expressions declare So clear indeed that any place of Scripture describing the last Judgement may be detorted to another sense as easily as this And besides the Parallel place of Dan. 12.2 13 14. doth confirm the same where Daniel and all the wise without Exception and Distinction are brought in partakers of the Resurrection at the end of the last plague upon Antichristians Now the perfect state of New Jerusalem is expressely brought in after this general Resurrection and last Judgement Apoc. 20.11 and 21.1 And therefore it is the state of heavenly perfection As the old Heavens and Earth do gradually go away from after the end of the yeers of Antichrist that is as the Antichristian Kingdoms do gradually depart so the new Heavens and new Earth or Kingdom of Christ with the change of all things doth gradually come in Until at the end of 45 yeers Dan. 12.12 the old Heavens and old Earth being perfectly departed in the last Judgement and general Resurrection Apoc. 20.11 the new Heavens and the new Earth come into the place thereof in the state of heavenly and immutable Perfections Apoc. 21.1 2. In the foresaid incoactive state of New Jerusalem the Jews shall come in by Conversion according to the Prophecy Rom. 11. and shall be principal Members and extraordinarily gifted for the enlarging of the Kingdom of Christ over all the World They began first to run as Cushi but interrupted The Gentile Christians like Ahimaaz break over the Mountains of opposition God making all Hills as a plane unto them And so they first bring in the tydings of the fall of Antichrist But the tydings are general and incompleat Afterward 2 Sam. 18.31 the Jews that first began to run shall come in last and bring distinct and perfect tydings of the fall of Antichrist and all enemies universally Now when they have so done then shall follow life from the dead or the general Resurrection as the Apostle Paul expresseth Rom. 11.15 So then the Jews shall come in as Members of New Jerusalem and New Jerusalem is to be the Catholike Church advanced to the state of glory wherein there is no distinction of Jew or Gentile Grecian or Barbarian And therefore in all the Revelation I finde not any mention of Jewish Christians in distinction from the rest The Jews are the faithful in general Apoc. 2.9 and so are the Jews of Philadelphia Apoc. 3.9 The twelve Tribes of the Children of Israel are all the parts of Christendom out of which the Saints are sealed before the glorious time of New Jerusalem Apoc. 7.4 5 6 7 8 9. The Holy City or Jerusalem is Christendom Apoc. 11.2 And the Kings of the East may be the Protestants in general as hath been Expounded according to the course of Holy Scripture So is New Jerusalem the Catholike Church glorified Apoc. 21. And it is a name imposed on the Gentile Philadelphia Apoc. 3.12 The true Church in general is called the Jerusalem Gal. 4.26 And all that is called Israel in the Old Testament unto whom the Promises are made are not Israel according to the flesh but mystical Israel the whole Church Rom. 9.6 Daniel also in all his Prophecies by his people and by his holy people understandeth Christians in general as hath been shewed before See Dan. 9.24 and 11.45 and 12.1 Accordingly in all the ancient Prophets although the Prophecies are litterally to be understood of Israel and Judah properly so called according to the Type yet according to the Antitype and more fully they appertain to the mystical Israel and mystical Judah the Catholike Church of Christ and especially as rising out of the mystical Babylon of Antichrist as the parallel places in the Revelation do evidently declare Revel 14.8 and 18.2 3 12 20 21 22. and 19.2 But of this I purposed onely at this time to give a hint as also to touch a few Reasons and Arguments by the way And I have been much larger then I thought to be Much more satisfaction may be given concerning these things and if necessity require and strength and opportunity make way I hope I should not be backward to do my best service herein to the Spouse of Christ If any of my Reverend Brethren otherwise minded can shew unto me better light I shall count my self and the Church of God beholding unto them for it and willingly receive it at their hands In the mean time this is my judgement And to God onely wise in Christ Jesus the Revealer of Secrets be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever Amen FINIS