another reading as if it were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is translated their molten Images with their precious vessels of silver and of gold For Euergetes understanding that sedition was moved in Egypt spoiling the Kingdom of Seleucus carried away fourty thousand Talents of silver and precious vessels and two thousand and five hundred Images of their gods and he shall continue more yeers then the King of the North For the Kingdom of the Seleucidae was subdued to the Romans about thirty five yeers before the Lagidae of the South did fall in Cleapatra Vers 9. So the King of the South shall come into his kingdom and shall return into his own land That is into Egypt he himself obtaining Syria and delivering Cilicia to be governed by his friend Antiochus and the Provinces beyond Euphrates to Xantippus another Captain Vers 10. But his sons That is the sons of Seleucus Callinicus the King of the North which were Seleucus Cetaunus and Antiochus Magnus shall be stirred up By reason of Syria taken from their father and shall assemble a multitude of great forces That is seventy thousand footmen and fifty thousand horsemen Polyb. lib. 5. and one shall certainly come He saith in the singular number one shall come and not they because in the very expedition Ceraunus was slain by Nicanor So that Antiochus Magnus came alone with his army into Syria and shall overflow and passe thorow By coming he shall come overflow passe thorow are phrases noting his celerity diligence industry multitude and strength of forces in his expedition He came thus against Philopator the King of the South Son and Successour to Euergetes He oppressed saith Justine many of Philopators Citles with a sudden war so that he subdued Syria and he shall return That is into the Countreys taken from his father and he shall be stirred up even to his fortresse That is even to the fortresse of Philopator for Antiochus came down with his army even to the most fortified City Raphia which lieth as Jerome saith in the entrances of Egypt and there encamped Vers 11. And the King of the South shall be moved with choler That is Philopator King of Egypt shall be incensed for the losse of Syria and for the present danger of losing Egypt and shall come forth and fight with him even with the King of the North That is with Antiochus Magnus at the City Raphia and he shall set forth a great multitude For Philopator set forth sixty and two thousand footmen and six thousand horsemen Paus l. 5. and the multitude shall be given into his hand That is Antiochus his multitude shall be given into the hands of Philopator which being overthrown and put to flight Antiochus flying by the deserts searce escaped with life Vers 12. And the multitude shall be lifted up and their heart exalted So I translate see Vers 12. Isai 2.14 and 6.1 and 2.13 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are Synonyma The sense is that Philopator and his army should be proud of the victory over Antiochus and he shall cast down thousands That is the great multitude of Antiochus but he shall not be strengthned thereby For the King of Egypt did not make use of this victory to strengthen himself thereby For Philopator saith Justine making peace greedily took up the occasion of ease falling back into his luxury Vers 13. And the King of the North shall return For Antiochus after Philopators death restored wars against his Son and Successour Ptolemaeus Epiphaues and shall set forth a multitude greater then the former For he gathered an uncredible army out of the upper parts of Babylon Jerome And not onely so but in sundry expeditions and in the end of times and the yeers A fatal period of yeers as Vers 6. The times of the inundation of the Romans over Macedonia and Asia to the mountain Taurus and fatal declining of the Seleucidae by coming he shall come That is swiftly suddenly with hopes of overflowing with a great army and with much riches First Antiochus overflowed into Syria and Judea then against the Romans also with three hundred thousand footmen and so many more of horsemen An army most rich in Gold Silver Purple Silkes Ivory as Florus and Gellius do testifie Flor. lib cap. 8. Gollius At. l. 5. c. See a great army and much riches It is onely said by coming he shall come with these armies no victory expressed to note rather a threatning of inundation then successe His crackling fire of Thorns was soon extinguished The Macedonian Horn was cut off and Asia by the Romans even unto Taurus in this fatal end or period of times and yeers as it is before expressed And now the Romans having subdued the North of the Greek Empire must be the King of the North in the Verses following And it is proprotionately convenient that as the Persian Kings are not mentioned after Xerxes Vers 2 3. Because under him the Greek Empire began to rise so after Antiochus Magnus the Seleucidae should nor be described because under him the Roman power began to rise upon this Kingdom Sect. 4. Of the Roman Kingdom The first and Heathen State thereof From Verse 14. to the 20. The controversal part THe common and received opinion is That the Grecian Kings are not broken off at the 14. Verse but their History continued in the Verses following And that they are continued to Verse 36. all Authours that ever I saw do with one consent without scruple affirm And from the 36. Verse also to the end some extend their description Others say the Roman Emperours do there succeed others the Pope of Rome For the honour of Christ and of this Prophecy for the farther revelation of Antichrist and confirmation of the Saints I am forced here to leave the common opinion From which I have not wilfully and rashly and unreasonably departed but upon much study and weighing of Arguments And first I think that the description of the Emperours of Rome begins at the 14. Verse reaching to the 20. which I prove by these Arguments First because Amiochus Magnus was immediately spoken of before and his History described in whose time the Roman Kingdom overflowed to the Mountain Taurus Hence I frame an Argument by congruous proportion For if Xerxes is the last Persian King mentioned Verse 3. because he occasioned the first entrance to the rising of the next Monarchy although sundry other Persian Kings came after him Why may not Antiochus Magnus be the last montioned of the Grecian Kings of the North because he occasioned the rising of the next Monarchy even to the overflowing of the Northern parts of the Kingdom of Graecia And now the Roman Captain having overflowed the North and being now made by Conquests King of the North who but he in the next Verses following should be King of the North Besides there is no cause to pretend an abrupt introduction of a new King of the
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
opposed the vile person his Successour being overflown and broken down by him in wrath and battle Neither can he be Ptolemaeus Philometor For how was he overflown and broken down by Antiochus How again could either he or Seleucus be called the Prince of the Covenant For this is not a phrase usual or suteable to signifie a confederate Gras in â—an 9. pag. â—36 239. And if saith Graserus the Prince of the Covenant did here signifie the Prince of the Confederacy yet can it not be applyed to Seleucus or any other in comparison with them that are joyned in equal Covenant together seeing a Prince of such a Covenant is properly such a Prince which is the Authour and chief maintainer thereof Adde to this that the Prince of the Covenant is not here the Prince of a Confederacy nor Confederate But a Prince that is a defender and maintainer of the Holy Covenant as it is expressed in the Verses following And therefore cannot agree unto Seleucus or Philopator or any other Heathen or Heretical Governour Graserus being convinced by these Arguments to avoid the aforesaid interpretation declineth to another extremity For saith he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in this place is adversary And the meaning is That the Arms shall be overflown by him and he shall also be an adversary of the Covenant But not to speak of the harshnesse of the context in such an Exposition the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is ever in Scripture used in the signification of Prince or Governour never of adversary And therefore this opinion needeth no farther confutation Lastly if it be said that Antiochus overflowed the Prince of the Covenant in subduing and destroying of the Jews I answer by demanding Lyranus Who this Prince of the Covenant is among them For not onely the people of the Holy Covenant are understood but the Prince thereof in special manner After his tyranny against the Jews and their Sanctuary Judas Macchabaeus arose Prince of the Jews and rather overflowed and brake down Antiochus then was broken down by him 5. What should I speak of the great afflictions of the Church by sword flame captivity and spoil and that for many dayes Verse 33. at certain gusts succeeding after interruptions The Church now and then rising and preyailing Verse 32 33 34. and then at certain fatal revolutions set by God exposed again to fire and sword Verse 35. How can these passages be exhausted in the narrow and short persecutions of Antiochus 6. The King here spoken of is said to set up the abomination of desolation Verse 31. Which by our Saviour is expressely referred to the times coming after his first coming Matth. 24.15 and therefore he cannot be Antiochus Epiphanes 7. The persecutions of this King are expresly said to last 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the time of the end Verse 35. that is to the last time the time of the downfal of the Turk Verse 40. of Antichrist Verse 45. The time approaching the Resurrection Chap. 12.1 2 3 13. The time of the full Revelation of these Mysteries Chap. 12.4 and 8.17 19 26. and 10.14 Therefore he cannot be Antiochus Epiphanes 8. Antiochus cannot be spoken off Verse 36. and thence forward as Graserus and Brightman have demonstrated Whence I conclude that he cannot also be Antiochus in these Verses immediately before For all these Verses are joyned together in perfect uniformity without any note or shew of diversion or transition to any other King Whereas in passing to distinct Kings in kinde transitions were before used as Verse 20 21. But besides Verse 36. Antichrist is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the King as spoken of before and with expresse reference to a precedent part of his description and therefore if it is Antichrist described in that Verse it is Antichrist described in these before and not Antiochus Epiphanes 9. The King here spoken off from Verse 21. downward ariseth into his Kingdom manifestly and fully after the fall of the Roman Empire as hath been shewed in the precedent Verses And therefore he cannot be Antiochus who existed many hundred yeers before Wherefore neither can he be disposed and complicated with Antichrist as the Type with the Antitype Forasmuch as the words of a Prophecy must be verified of the Type as well as of the Antitype to constitute a ground of representation And commonly in such kinde of Prophecies the Type is more plainly and directly expressed the Antitype closely involved in the History of the Type Whereas we have shewed that the main passages of this Prophecy are unapplyable to Antiochus Epiphanes Besides Antichrist is not closely involved but is the direct and immediate subject of this Prophecy as may be cleared by the contrary application of the former Arguments For First he entreth his Kingdom in publike and manifest appearance after the fall of the Roman Empire Verse 21. and after the rising of the Remover of the Oppressour Verse 20 and 21. taking possession of his Throne power and authority therefore he is Antichrist Secondly the manner and matter of this description is exactly the same with the description of the little Horn who undoubtedly is Antichrist This may appear by comparing Chap. 8.9 with Chap. 7.7 8. whereby it is manifest that the little Horn Chap. 8. is the same with the little Horn Chap. 7. which arising in the fourth Kingdom is questionlesse Antichrist Then by comparing in particular Vers 22. and 21. with Ch. 8.9 Ch. 11.35 with Ch. 8.17 19. Ch. 11.23 24 25 33 34. with Ch. 8.9 10 24 25. Ch. 11.31 32. with Ch. 8.11 12. Thirdly because it is Antichrist that persecuteth the Church till the time of the end Verse 35. with Ch. 7.25 and 12.7 Fourthly because it is Antichrist that is spoken of Vers 36. and he is the same spoken off in these Verses going before as being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the King with reference to the same that was spoken of before and distinguished by no particle or note of transition Fifthly and lastly all the passages that cannot without forcing and straining of the Text be applyed to Antiochus or any other will most properly agree to Antichrist such as these to be a mean or low person Verse 21. to enter into his Kingdom by flatteries to spoil and destroy more strangely then his fathers or fathers fathers Verse 24. to overflow the Arms of inundation Verse 12. and the Prince of the Covenant By a mighty army to break down the King of the South Verse 25. and by deceit the Professours of the Holy Covenant Verse 23 29 33. to set up the abomination of desolation Verse 31. to persecute the Church for many yeers and by successive gusts and unto the end Verse 32 33 34 35. These and all the other circumstances do most precisely agree unto Antichrist as may be seen in the particular Exposition The second part containing the Exposition Sect. 7. The Description of Antichrist in general VErse 21. And in his
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
partly brittle The Gothes and Vandals and divers others proved brittle quickly dissolved but the Irony strength appeared in the Franks by whom the Empire was restored in the Image of its former glory But after Charles the Great this Empire also was in divisions and the parts continued in the Title of the ten horns in relation to the division which was at first Thirdly it is said of them that they should mingle themselves with the seed of men that is endeavour again by Marriages to unite the divisions but yet the kingdoms should not be united but continue in distinction as Iron cannot be mixed with Clay Vers 43. And of the truth of this attribute we have had frequent experience in these later times The destruction of this Empire by the stone Vers 34 45. THe stone doth signifie the Saints Vers 44. with Chap. 7.22 26. It is cut out of a great mountain which is the Romane Empire bearing rule before upon the earth the Dominions of Antichrist Vers 35 45. From hence the Saints are cut out by professed separation and victorious exemption They are thus cut out without hands that is by the onely power and finger of Almighty God as it is interpreted Vers 44 45. Thus they began to be cut out anno 1160 in the Waldenses and continue so unto this day And the extraordinary hand of God was seen therein as the strange arising growth prevailing of them doth manifestly declare But their absolute cutting out and exemption from the power of Antichrist is that which is to be expected at the term of the slaughter of the two Prophets when their rising by the power alone of God Almighty without the help of man is thus described Revel 11.11 And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entred into them and they stood upon their feet and great fear fell upon them that saw them and they ascended up to heaven in a cloud c. And so this stone or kingdom of the Saints shall be set up even in the days of those Kings Vers 44 that is of Antichrist and the ten horns signified by the feet and ten toes which it striking shall dash in pieces and they shall be no more Vers 35. Then this stone or kingdom of the Saints having been set up immediately after the three days and half now upon the destruction of Antichrist his Kingdom shall become agreat mountain and fill the whole earth Vers 35 44. A great mountain that is the supreme kingdom filling all the earth because all dominion shall be subject unto it Chap. 7.14 27. Ezek. 17.22 23. The second Vision or Prophecie Dan. 7. The Part Controversal AS for the three first Beasts there is little or no Controversie moved about them I come unto the fourth described Vers 7 8 c. Some by the fourth Beast understand the Successors after Alexander in the Grecian kingdom and especially the kingdom of the Seleucidae and by the little horn Antiochus Epiphanes Graserus hath largely and learnedly oppugned this opinion from whom I alleadge against it these Arguments First the kingdom of the Seleucidae belongeth to the third Beast and is one of the four parts into which the Greeian kingdom was divided after Alexanders death expresly represented in his four wings and four heads Vers 6 the truth of which interpretation will clearly appear by comparing Chap. 8.8 22. and 11.4 For the king of Grecia is expresly distinguished from Alexander as the whole from the part comprehending both him the quadrupartite division among his Successors Chap. 8.21 22. Therefore both he and the Seleucidae with other his Successors are included in the third Beast and cannot be extended to the fourth Secondly because these four Beasts arose successively to subdue the world Vers 2 3. But the Seleucidae and other successors of Alexander succeeded into it already subdued by him Thirdly the Preface prefixed to the fourth Beast Afterward I saw in the Visions by night and behold The proposing of him without a name as an unknown and strange Monster the sollicitous and curious enquiry of Daniel concerning him Vers 19 the bestowing of a far larger and more accurate description upon him then upon the former Beasts do plainly argue that the fourth kingdom here signified is far more great and wonderful then any of the former and therefore cannot be the kingdom of the Seleucidae Fourthly the fourth Beast is said to be dreadful and terrible and very strong in comparison with the Beasts going before having Iron teeth and Brazen nails devouring and breaking in pieces and stamping the residue under feet But the kingdom of the Seleucidae was weaker then that of Alexander as it is expresly said Chap. 8.22 and did not devour and destroy so as the former kingdoms as entring upon a world subdued already by Alexander the Great therefore the fourth kingdom cannot be the kingdom of the Seleucidae Thou wilt say The fourth kingdom is thus expressed not in relation to the world or state general but to the Jewish Church unto which it was more terrible and stronger then the former But it is manifest that the Iron strength is the character of this kingdom distinguishing it in a general and unlimited comparison with the kingdoms going before To exert in some one particular place such as Judea more cruelty by reason of the weaknesse of the people and not by reason of his own absolute strength is not a sufficient reason that he should be characterized and distinguished from the others by the character of strength and fear fulnesse No more verily then the Spanish Inquisition or Phalaris or some other Tyrant may be superlatively compared in strength with Cyrus Alexander Julius Caesar because more cruel and formidable then they in respect of some weak and not-resisting persons over whom without exertion of much strength they might easily exercise their tyrannie Again their strength was not so much terrible to the Jews as Nebuchad-nezzar or Haman were And the Jews against the Seleucidae would have vindicated themselves into liberty and had defended themselves sufficiently had not the Romanes come upon them and broken them down at last and the Seleucidae together Lastly it is expresly said that the fourth kingdom is thus strong irony and terrible not onely in relation to the Jews but also to the whole earth For it is said that it should devour the whole earth and tread it down and break it in pieces Vers 23. And Chap. 2.40 it is expresly said to be of Iron because it shall bruise and break in pieces all the former kingdoms And how shall this be verified of the Seleucidae Fifthly this Beast is said to be unlike to the Beasts that were before it whereas the kingdom of the Seleucidae was like other kingdoms Some say it was unlike in respect of the ten horns But these as they will have it are ten succeeding Kings which in kinde and nature is ordinary to all kingdoms They say it is
extraordinary in this respect because some of the Egyptian Kings are mixed in the number But what ground of such a mixture Because say they they are described Chap. 11 whereas there is no mention of ten horns Chap. 11 the number there not adaequately ten no reason to extrude some to intrude others but rather contrary to reason as Graserus sheweth Sixthly the fourth Beast hath ten horns and a little horn arising after them by whom three of the former were rooted out Vers 7 8. How will this agree to the kingdom of the Seleucidae They say they are ten succeeding Kings whereof Antiochus Epiphanes is the tenth and last and the same the little horn But if onely by succession then really in all particular differences of time it had but one horn and so the kingdom might rather be said to have one horn then ten 2. These ten horns here described existed at the same time not by succession because the little horn arose among them Vers 8 and his look was more stout then his fellows Verse 20.3 How can Antiochus Epiphanes be both the little horn and also the last of the ten seeing the little horn is said to arise besides and after them Vers 8 20 24. 4. Antiochus cannot be the little horn because the little horn arising groweth greater and greater and more stately then the other horns Verse 8 20 whereas Antiochus was not so great as his father Antiochus Magnus 5. What are the three horns and how did they fall before Antiochus Vers 8. It is said that they are Ptolaemcus Philopater King of Egypt Seleucus the brother of Antiochus and Demetrius But was Seleucaes rooted out because he died by slowe and lingring hatred And how can Demetrius be one of the three which was not reckoned by the authors of this opinion among the ten Vers 8. Lastly by the fall of the three the little horn grew greater then the rest whereas nothing was added to Antiochus beside the ancient kingdom of the Seleucidae 6. The little horn is to rage against the Saints a time two times and an half How will this agree unto Antiochus Because say they the Temple was profaned by Antiochus three yeers and ten days But here it is half a time or half a yeer as also it appeareth by comparing Chap. 12.7 Apoc. 12.14 7. The Beast falleth in the destruction of the little horn Vers 11. But the kingdom of the Seleucida did not fall in Antiochus Epiphanes Seventhly this fourth kingdom is extended until the last Judgement by fire Vers 9 and the opening of the books Vers 10. with 2 Thess 2.8 Apoc. 19.20 By comparing of which places it is clear that these expressions cannot be understood of the torments and death of Antiochus but of the last Judgement Eightly it is extended until the coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven Vers 13 14 which is his second coming Apoc. 1.7 Matth. 24.30 and 26.64 For it is not said that he ascended in the clouds but that he came Vers 13. Ninthly it is extended to the time when all the kingdoms of the earth shall be the Lords and his Christs Vers 14. with Apoc 11.15 and when the kingdom shall be given to the Saints of the most High all hostile forces utterly suppressed Vers 14 26. Chap. 2.44 Apoc. 11.17 18. And how can this be verified in the kingdom of the Seleucidae And upon these grounds I conclude with Graserus that the fourth kingdom here spoken of is not the kingdom of the Seleucidae Now the third Beast being the Greek kingdom what should the fourth be but the kingdom following which is the Romane kingdom which I also prove by these Arguments 1. First because after Alexander and the division of his kingdom into four parts in his Successors proposed in the description of the former Beast the Romane kingdom did immediately follow 2. Because one badge of this Beast is the ten horns which is attributed to the Romane kingdom Apoc. 12.3 and 13.1 2. and 17.9 10. 3. Because the Monarchy signified by the fourth Beast continueth to the last Judgement Verse 9 10 with Apoc. 20.11 and to the destruction of the Beast and Dragon at the time of the end Verse 11 with Apoc. 13.6 and 19.20 and 20.10 and to the coming of Christ the second time in the clouds of heaven Verse 13 with Apoc. 1.7 and to the rising of New Jerusalem the kingdom of the Saints Vers 14 26 with Apoc. 11.15 4. Because the same space and form of duration is attributed to the little horn as to Antichrist of the Romane kingdom Verse 25 with Apoc. 12.14 therefore the little horn is Antichrist and the fourth Beast the Romane kingdom I adde that the characters of the little horn and of Antichrist are the same as may appear by comparing Verse 25 8 with Apoc. 13.5 6. Now Antichrist arising in the Romane kingdom if the little horn arising be Antichrist then the Beast wherein he riseth is the Romane kingdom 5. Because in all other partieulars the description of the fourth Beast agreeth to the Romane kingdom as may appear in the partioular Exposition The Opinion of Graserus is examined LEarned Graserus by most of all the foresaid Arguments most learnedly and satisfactorily oppugneth the Opinion of Junius and his followers who hold the fourth Beast to be the kingdom of the Seleusidae and the little horn Antiochus Epiphanes As for Graserus his own judgement he holdeth that the fourth Beast is the Romane Empire but the little horn upon which the greatest part of this Prophecie and Vision is spent he holdeth to be Mabomet in the special Accommodation First saith he Because this little horn groweth up with an aspectable or discernable encrease which agreeeth not unto Antichrist but to Mahomet Answ It is evident that his rising is described as hardly and difficultly discernable because Daniel is brought in curiously prying and considering before he perceiveth or spieth him Vers 8 which agreeth not to Mahomet but Antichrist Secondly saith he the little horn doth not arise out of the Beasts body but without it and is here proposed not because it arose from the Romane Empire but because he made assault against it there fixed his Seat and emulated his disposition Answ What more plain then that it arose out of the Beast forasmuch as it arose among the ten horns which were the horns of the Beast And where should this little horn be presented unto Daniel unlesse in the Beast before him Thirdly saith he because the Antichrist or Pope of Rome doth gather See more in the Explication make up and repair the horns of the Romane Empire but this little horn rooteth out and subdueth three of them and therefore he is rather Mahomet Answ The three horns are three Provinces of the Romane Empire as Chap. 8.21 and three adverse and hostile Kings therein which Antichrist subduing established his own horns I finde no other Argument of moment But now I will also shew my
fall of the Romane Empire and the rising of the ten Kings the rising of Antichrist must concur who therefore began gradually to proceed together with the irruptions of the Barbarians into his kingdom and dissipation of the Empire and in 606 was openly enthroned But Dan. 7.24 Antichrist is said to come up after the ten horns This understand of his open enthroning which began in 606 after the Inundation of the ten Kings but secretly and hiddenly he arose before even among them and together with them as here it is expressed 2. He is called Another horn that is another beside the ten and as it is expressed vers 24 diverse from them they being Political he also Ecclesiastical by usurpation of an independent authority Spiritual 3. He is called A little horn because little at first as onely Primate and Metropolitane of the Churches of Italy and by little and little encroaching upon the power of the ten Kings by small and scarce discernable degrees of proceeding Before the time of Constantine the Bishop of Rome was onely a poor and mean Minister therefore called Vile or of lowe condition Chap. 11.21 from which weak lowe estate he cunningly and secretly came up among the ten horns until he overtopped them 4. His first arising is intimated to be hidden obscure and secret scarce discernable and therefore he is so represented among the horns that Daniel doth not espie or discover him but by a prying eye and a minde curiously considering Therefore it is said I considered the horns and behold there came up among them another little horn 5. It is added that before him three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots The first War of Antichrist which was waged by him after he came to the fulnesse of his kingdom As the Romane Empire fell so gradually he arose He was openly enthroned in 606. A temporal Dominion was given him by Pipin in 755 But his authority arose not so high as generally to overtop and command at pleasure the Kings and Emperours until the time of Hildebrand after 1073. Thenceforth he began to decree and make Wars himself and by Imperial authority to command the Kings and Emperours of the West to go forth as subjects in the Wars decreed by him And from the foresaid 1073 he had seditiously stirred Wars in Germany but the great and notable War directly decreed by him with voluntary and general submission of Kings Princes and Emperours was that which was decreed at Claremont about Two and twenty yeers after in 1095 against the Turks and Saracens which here followeth to be described And in this War it was verified which was here said of Antichrist that three of the first horns were rooted up before him For within about three yeers after the foresaid Decree at Claremont by the yeer 1099 he by his Souldiers of the Crosse rooted up subdued caused to fall as the phrases run vers 8.20 24 three Kings of the Turks and Saracens Solyman in Asia Cassianus in Syria the Egyptian Caliph in Judea That these three Kings are meant I am more then probably convinced from Chap. 8.9 and 11.29 places exactly parallel where they are expresly restrained to Judea the pleasant Land and to the East and South in the way unto it which must be Syria and Asia from the Northern horn of Macedonia as shall be shewed when I come unto the next Chapter In mean time observe these phrases arguing the places to be parallel 1. There came forth a little horn Chap. 8.9 Behold there came up another little born Chap. 7.8 2. Which waxed great unto the South and to the East and to the pleasant land Chap. 8.9 Before whom three fell Chap. 7.8 3. He shall destroy the holy people Chap. 8.24 He shall wear out the Saints of the most High Chap. 7.21 25. 4. He shall magnifie himself in his heart Chap. 8.25 He shall speak great things Chap. 7.8 25. His look was more stout then his fellows verse 20. 5. He extolled himself against the Prince of the Host the Prince of princes Ch. 8.11 25. He shall speak words against the most High Chap. 7.25 6. By him the daily Sacrifice was taken away Chap. 8.11 And he shall think to change Times and Laws Chap 7.25 And as it is here said that three kings were rooted up from before him so Chap. 11.22 The arms of a stood shall be overflown from before him which is to be understood of the Turks and Saracens as I trust to shew when I come unto the place But here a Doubt ariseth How these three Mahumetan Kings are called three of the first horns seeing the ten were numbred without the comprehension of them Answ They may not be called formally three of the first horns that is as under the form and special kinde of them but onely materially as being the same onely in outward figure and now applied to a new representation And this is proved by Verse 24 where although in respect of the outward figure and type he is said to root out three of the first horns yet when the thing signified cometh to be spoken of it is onely thus said that ten horus are ten kings that shall arise and another shall arise after them and he shall subdue three Kings Mark it is not said that he shall subdue three of them or three of the former Kings as in the Type but onely three kings as if distinguished from the former ten But secondly and more satisfactorily it may be answered that in a more general sense the ten horns may comprehend any that divided the Empire such as Turks and Saracens then as hath been said before But whereas it may be objected from Apoc. 17.17 that the ten horns give their kingdoms to the Beast it is to be understood not of the ten horns in general but of those onely who adhered to the Beast The Gothes and Vandals and Burgundians are among the ten horns and yet they survived not to give their kingdoms to the Beast proportionably we may judge of the Turks and Saracens 6. And thus far of the first War of Antichrist against the Turks and Saracens His second War followeth against the Saints which is described Verse 22. I beheld and is this horn made war with the Saints and prevailed against them Vers 25 He shall wear out the Saints of the most High Which second War began against the Waldesian Protestants since the yeer 1160 and yet continueth and must until the end of the Reign of Antichrist when the ancient of days shall sit in Judgement and the kingdom of New Jerusalem shall be set up Vers 9.10 26. 7. He is said to have eyes like the eyes of a man Verse 8. either in respect of his feigned courtesie and flattering humanity Chap. 8.25 or in respect of his intolerable pride and arrogancy Verse 20 with Psal 12.3 4 18.27 or rather in respect of wisedom and policie Chap. 8.25 with Zech. 11.17 and the eye of his
15. 3. His mouth is opened to speak though not without much weaknesse fears and sorrows Verse 17. 4. He is fully strengthned Vers 19. Accordingly the Witnesses of Truth were raised The first degree in the Waldenses from after the yeer 1160. The second degree in Wickliff John Hus and Zisca from about the yeer 1370 and 1400. The third degree in Luther and Zuinglius and their followers from after the yeer 1517. The fourth degree is to be expected after the three days and half when the Witnesses of Truth shall be fully strengthned An Explication of Dan. 11. Vers 1. ¶ ALso I Gabriel the Angel speaketh sent by the man clothed in linen who is Christ Chap. 10.9 10. ¶ In the first yeer of Darius the Mede even I stood to confirm him and to strengthen him Darius was the lesser horn that rose first at the fall of the Monarchy of Babylon Chap. 8.2 3. Sect. 1. The Persian Monarchy Vers 2. ¶ ANd now I will shew thee the truth Behold there shall stand up three kings in Persia That is after Darius the Mede mentioned in the former Verse and these are Cyrus Cambyses and Darius son of Histaspes ¶ And the fourth That is Xerxes next following ¶ Shall be far richer then they all For Xerxes besides that which he gathered himself received also those unmeasurable riches which by his father Darius had been gathered out of all the East and prepared for the Grecian War ¶ And when he shall be strengthened by his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia For by the sinews of his riches he moved a great War against the Grecians and thereunto stirred up all the men of the East of whom he had about Four and twenty hundred thousand besides the Attendants that would duplicate the number These he stirred up himself and his successors to whom he left this War hereditary until the ruine of the Persian Kingdom The other Persian Kings after Xerxes are not here expressed a transition following to the Grecians because in Xerxes the Persians fall began and the rising of the Grecians toward the Monarchical succession Sect. 2. The Grecian kingdom Vers 3. ¶ BUt a mighty king shall stand up This is Alexander the Great the founder of the Grecian kingdom ¶ That shall rule with great dominion For having conquered the Persians he proceeded further and subdued also the Hircanians Mardians Parthians Indians and so subjected to himself the whole East ¶ And shall do according to his will Whereby is noted continuation of Victories and power irresistible and so it is applied to the Persian Monarchy Chap. 8.4 to the Iron Romane Monarchy Chap. 11.16 and to Antichrist Chap. 11.36 Vers 4. ¶ And when he shall stand up Whereby is noted the suddennesse of his fall For assoon as ever he came to the highest he died ¶ His kingdom shall be broken Broken before divided into four For at first twelve of Alexanders Princes promiscuously brake his kingdom into many pieces unill eleven yeers after his death his kingdom became quadripartite ¶ And shall be divided toward the four windes of heaven For then toward the South Ptolomeus the son of Lagus reigned in Egypt Toward the West Philippus Arideus brother to Alexander in Macedonia Toward the East Seleucus Nicanor in Syria Babylon and the upper places Toward the North Antigonus in Asia Pontus and the other Provinces in that coast ¶ And not to his posterity For all Alexanders Family was slain ¶ Nor according to his dominion which he ruled For his successors were inferiour in extent and power Chap. 8.22 for his kingdom shall be pluckt up That is dissolved divided by Alexanders twelve Princes at last to be setled upon four even for others also besides those For others besides his posterity the four Successors and for others also beside the four the Romans as it is declared in the processe of the Prophecy Sect. 3. The Exposition of Vers 5 6. VErs 5. And the King of the South That is the whole family line and race of the Lagidae in Egypt whereof Ptolemaeus the son of Lagus was the first King shall be strong Among the four Successours of Alexander shall be eminently strong as it appeareth by their power and victories described in the Chapter following and one of his Princes That is one of Alexanders Princes shall also be strong among the four And this was the house and line of the Seleucidae in Syria of whom Seleucus Nicanor was the first and he shall be strong above him That is the house of the Seleucidae in Syria shall be stronger then the house of the Lagidae in Egypt Gras de Antic p. 69. For the Lagidae were commonly more weak and slothful and the dominion also of the Seleucidae was much larger as it is in the words following and have dominion his dominion shall be a great dominion For the Seleucidae did possesse Babylon Syria and part of Asia Vers 6. And in the end of the yeers they shall be joyned together For after long wars Ptolemaeus King of Egypt being weary endeavoured reconciliation for the Kings daughter of the South Berenice the daughter of Ptolemaeus Philadelphus shall come to the King of the North to make an agreement That is shall come to Antiochus Theos King of Syria to make agreement by marriage but she shall not retain the power of the arm For quickly was Berenice deprived of the state of a Queen and of her life neither shall he continue To wit Antiochus Theos the husband of Berenice being cut off by the acts of Laodice nor his arm Which may be the Prince as yet a Boy which he had by Berenice For after the death of Antiochus Theos Seleucus Callinicus being Successour killed both Berenice and her son also and she shall be given up To wit Berenice and they that brought her For Seleucus Callinicus slew Berenice together with the company that was with her and he that begat her For her father Ptolemaeus Philadelphus also died and he that strengthned her Her husband Antiochus Or happily it is an adjunct of her father in these times So the reconciliation was dissolved Vers 7. But out of a branch of her root shall one stand up in his estate That is one of the stock of Berenice which succeeded into the Kingdom of Egypt after the death of Ptelomaus Philadelphus to wit Ptolemaeus Euergetes the third King of the family of the Lagidae which shall come with an army and shall enter into the fortresse of the King of the North For Ptolemaus Euergetes came with a great army into Syria against Seleucus Callinicus then King of the North to avenge the death of his sister Berenice and shall deal against them and prevail For he subdued Syria took Cilicia and the upper parts beyond Euphrates and almost all Asia Jerom. Vers 8. And shall also carry captive into Egypt their gods with their Princes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth their Princes but according to
described immediately before Antichrist And why not proportionably here also Nay much rather as hath been shewed The second part containing the Explication From Verse 14. to 20. VErse 14. And in those times That is the times following Antiochus many shall stand up against the King of the South That is many by succession Antiochus Epiphanes and his Successors Then of the Romans Pompey Gabinius Crassus Sosius Herod Aug. Caesar Vespasian Titus Hadrian By the South is meant Judea and Egypt as it is declared in the Verses following The conquest of Judea Vers 14. ALso the robbers of thy people Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Violent furious and desperate murtherers See Isai 35.9 Ezek. 18.10 shall be exalted In confidence of their strength and resolution Such were the Jews especially after the crucifying of the Son of God See Josephus to establish the Vision That is to set up the Kingdom of Israel vainly thinking to fulfil thereby the Prophecies of the Old Testament concerning New Jerusalem to establish the Vision or Prophecies in all the Prophets wherein with one consent they all foretold this great calamity of the Jews but they shall fall Heb. stumble as in a way that seemed safe besides expectation Isai 8.14 15. Vers 15. So the King of the North shall come First Pompey then Herod afterwards Vespasian Titus lastly Hadrian and shall cast up a mount and take the most fenced city Jerusalem and other Cities by casting up of Mounts whereof read Josephus and the arms of the South That is the Captains of the Jews Verse 31. Isai 53.1 and 40.10 and 51.9 shall not stand That is shall be utterly overthrown See before Verse 6. neither his chosen people That is the common Souldiers The Captains are stiled Arms and the Souldiers chosen men for excellency and yet they fell before the Romans neither shall there be any strength to stand Whereby is signified an exertion of all possible strength and therein a sinking under a superiour power of their enemies He that hath heard of the History needeth no Commentary on these words they are so accurately fulfilled in the events Verse 16. And he that cometh against him Against him that is the South the Governours of Judea And he that cometh is Vespasian Titus shall do according to his own will That is save kill burn sell enslave at pleasure So did Titus with the Jews Judea Jerusalem Eleven hundred thousand perished in the City besides those without and ninety seven thousand sold to perpetual slavery Judea sold wasted and none shall stand before him Every word hath weight And here a new attempt of the Jews is signified under Trajan and Hadrian When again exerting their utmost strength proportionately they fell before the Romans The ruine by Titus was accomplished Anno 70. That under Trajan and Hadrian between the yeers one hundred and fourteen and one hundred thirty and five and he shall stand in the pleasant land The pleasant Land is Judea Ezek. 20.6 He that is the Roman Emperour as Hadrian shall stand in it with intention of utter Conquest Zach. 14.3 4. which by his hand shall be consumed So signifieth the phrase Jere. 5.10 18. And this is true of the Jews and of Judea Hadrian took by Severus fifty fortified Castles razed nine hundred and eighty of their best Cities slew five hundred and eighty thousand of the Jews But of them that perished otherwise as by famine pestilence sword the number was innumerable Judea utterly desolate The Conquest of Egypt Verse 17. EGypt in the South after Judea taken and so it followeth He shall also set his face to enter into the strength of the whole Kingdom So 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Verse 9. and 29. He that is the Roman Captain Pompey and his Successours shall set his face to enter that is by the floud of war after the Conquest of Judea shall approach as ready and about to enter Egypt also Into the strength of his whole Kingdom that is Into the strong holds and fenced Cities not onely of Judea but also of all the residue of the South even Egypt too and men of equity shall be with him So signifieth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the sense of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verse 6. Men of equity just and favourable dealers not using rigour and extremity Pompey was such a one after the taking of Judea such were Gabinius and Julius Caesar and he shall do By doing right as Verse 6. and dealing favourably and he shall give him That is to the King of the South or house of the Lagidae as Verse 6. the daughter of women That is Cleopatra the last of the house of the King of the South in Egypt called the daughter of women because incomparable among women for excellency of behaviour gesture beauty wit speech eloquence Plut. Anton. This woman Julius Caesar of the Romans gave unto the King of the South or house of the Lagidae to raign or to be Hereditary Successour in the Egyptian Kingdom according to equity and favourable moderation But the issue and event was not successeful For this indulgence turned in the end and by Gods intention and direction to the ruine of her and of her Kingdom and of the whole house of the Lagidae And therefore it followeth to the destroying of her That is in the event and by Gods direction Or the Hebrew word may signifie to the corrupting of her For Iulius Caesar corrupted Gleopatra and being taken with her love indulged liberty to the Egyptians and the Kingdom to Cleopatra Salian An. M. 4007. N. 25 26 27 28. and she shall not stand Being vanquished by Augustus Caesar neither shall she be unto him For she stood not nor her posterity to hold up and to continue the succession of the King of the South or of the Lagidae But they and their Kingdom utterly perished in her The Conquest of the West VErs 18. So much of the Conquest of the East and South by Pompey and his followers He That is the Roman state in Iulius Caesar shall turn his face Elegantly expressed Because proceeding from East to West we turn the face to the Isles That is to the Countries on the Western Ocean France Germany Spain Britany For these are the Isles of Cittim Iere. 2.10 and the Isles of the Sea Isai 24.14 the Isles the multitude of the Sea Isai 60.5 9. whose King is called a Dragon in the Sea Isai 17.1 and the Western part of the Roman Empire with the Countrie adjoyning are called the Isles afar of Isai 44.4 and 49.1 and shall take many As the Countries before mentioned Towns and Cities with their people innumerable therein The fall of the Heathen state of the Roman Empire Verse 18. SO far of the Conquests whereby the Roman Empire came to its height and fulnesse Now followeth the fall thereof And first of the Heathen state of it Then of the Empire universally but a Prince That is Constantine the Great about three hundred
unto Antichrist who at the same time stood up with him but not as yet in the glory of the Kingdom as it followeth in the next Verse but within few dayes That is in a short time Apoc. 17.10 he shall be broken down That is made subject and servile under the power of another King but neither in wrath nor in battel That is by voluntary grant and donation of his power and authority to another King whereby he shall break down himself and not be broken down by violent extorsion But this is especially to be meant of the beginning and first entrance of his Successour as it is expressed in the next Verse The Successour was Antichrist the Pope of Rome whom Justinian first decreed to be chief of Bishops and afterward Phocas willingly and without war or compulsion decreed in the yeer 606. that he should be Universal Bishop From which time forward the Pope did so increase that he became more forcible and powerful not onely in forrain Kingdoms but also in Italy then the Emperour himself Charls the Great after the second restauration did the like and much more whereby it came to passe that the remover of the oppressour being in few dayes broken down by his own voluntary concession the Pope or Antichrist did peaceably and without wrath or battle arise into his place Sect. 6. That Antichrist is described from Verse 21. downward and not Antiochus Epiphanes The controversal part THe common opinion is that the next Successour Vers 21. is Antiochus Epiphanes In which accommodation I require satisfaction of the Authours concerning these particulars 1. How he was a vile person that is base and of low degree to whom they gave not the honour of a Kingdom seeing he was the lawful son of Antiochus Magnus Who to use the words of Graserus was so great even from his infancy that then in the world known unto us there was scarce another to be compared with him 2. I require a sufficient reason if this be Antiochus Epiphanes why as many or rather more words should be spent upon him then were spent upon all the Kings of Syria and Egypt before him Whereof some were far more notable in exploits then he If any say that it is so because he was more notable in afflicting of the Saints I still demand but why are so many words spent upon these warlike exploits that concerned not the Church Besides others before afflicted the Jewish Church not a little and yet their afflictions are not here mentioned If his persecutions did exceed yet why should the description thereof exceed so much being but short in duration and not to be compared with those of Nebuccadnezzar precedent or those of the Romans in the time following But if it be said the Reason is because Antiochus is described as the type of Antichrist I answer again That the type howsoever must be according to truth and the words of description answerable to the things contained therein The Holy Ghost would not represent Antichrist by a type excessively described above the verity and proportion thereof 3. I demand how the greatnesse of the matter and exploits attributed to this King can be exhausted in so slight acts and so little momentose as those of Antiochus Epiphanes For he was in no war so happy as that the phrases here expressed might be proportionate unto him He had little or nothing more then the meaner sort of the Kings of Syria Gras de Antic pag 76 77. Two expeditions he made into Egypt In both at last ignominiously repulsed Against the Jews he prevailed indeed at first But afterward was shamefully overthrown by Judas Macchabaeus He advanced his Armies into Persia But thence also was dishonourably beaten back Can it be said of such a King that the Arms of inundation are overflown from before him and Princes of the Covenant Or that he doth that which his fathers have not done nor his Fathers Fathers Verse 24. For these words are uttered of him absolutely and not as restrain'd to his Egyptian exploits And consequently in the simple nature and greatnesse of devastations he is superlatively compared with all Predecessours And how can this be verified of Antiochus Epiphanes And as for his Egyptian exploits to use the words of Graserus it is manifest That his father Antiochus did not lesse exploits against Egypt it self Again I instance in Verse 25 26. where a mighty and extraordinary war is attributed to the King before described to the overflowing and breaking down of the Kingdom of the South How can this be applyed to Antiochus Epiphanes in respect of Egypt Into which he entred twice and with short and little momentose successe Being both times at last ignominiously repulsed The first time by the Captains of Ptolemaeus the second time by the onely words and command of the Roman Embassadour Popilius And I instance in the phrase mentioned Verse 25. that the King of the South did not stand by reason of him that is was overthrown and his Kingdom dissolved as the phrase is used Verse 15 16. Chap. 8.4 How will that also be applied to him Verse 27. That his end should be at a time appointed As if his victorious overflowing continued until a certain period of times How that also Verse 28. that from the Conquest of the King of the South he is said to return with great substance to do and return to note a continuation in prosperous successe in going and returning without repulse Again that Verse 29. that his second expedition was not prosperous as the first whereby is signified that the last being unprosperous the first was prosperous whereas in the former expedition of Antiochus he had a repulse by the Captains of Ptolemy as Nauclerus expresseth and in the latter he seemeth to have done more then in the former And if 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be Ships Verse 30. shall the Ships of Cittim come against him because Popilius came Embassadour in a Ship Wherefore I conclude that the greatnesse of the stile and of the warlike exploits here spoken off cannot be exhausted in the petty wars of Antiochus Epiphanes Neither the circumstances of this Prophecy can be verified in the circumstances of his exploits 4. I demand who is the Prince of the Covenant Verse 22. called the Holy Covenant Verse 28 30 32. which by this King is said to be overflown and broken down And how and in whom it is applyable to Antiochus Epiphanes Some say he is Seleucus Philopator King of Syria Others that it is Ptolemaeus Philometor King of Egypt called the Prince of the Covenant by reason of the Covenant which Antiochus made with them But he cannot be Seleuens because according to the Supposition of the adverse opinion his raign and end was dispatched in the 20 Verse precedent and accordingly supposed broken down without wrath or battle Whereas such a Prince of the Covenant is here spoken off as existed after the King described Verse 20. and also
place That is in the place of the Remover of the Oppressour Justinian and his followers and in their Throne at Rome shall stand up a vile person That is Antichrist the Pope of Rome Isai 53.3 Psal 22.7 called vile that is of low rank and reputation as being indifferently and promiscuously advanced out of ignoble parentage As also in respect of the meannesse of his primitive estate before Constantine at which time he was onely a poor Minister having no Princely dignity neither chosen or called thereunto He is also vile in respect of corrupt estate spiritual Isal 15.4 in doctrine and manners and they shall not give unto him the glory of the Kingdom For they gave him indeed the Ecclesiastical Dominion but as for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verse 20. and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vers 21. the glory of the Kingdom that is the Secular Dominion the Regal Majesty and external splendour of the Empire they refused to yeeld it unto him for a long time For the Emperour yeelded not secular preeminency till after the time of Hildebrand and he shall come in peaceably That is without war Verse 20. by a peaceable donation of Ecclesiastical Dominion and he shall strengthen the Kingdom by flatteries So 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being entred peaceably he shall afterward aspire by flatteries unto the sublimity and perfection of his Kingdom Flatteries Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verse 32. That is falsities smoothed over with fair pretence of verity Isai 30.10 called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Thes 2.11 the effectual working of deception denominating the Antichristian false Prophets 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Tim. 4.2 such as speak lies in Hypocrifie that is lying doctrines covered over with shews of truth with intention to deceive These were among the rest That Christ had given all power to Peter Peter to the Pope that therefore Emperours and Princes and People were bound in conscience to subject themselves to his infallible and uncontroulable decrees By these and such like flatteries he gradually and insensibly wrought his authority into the mindes of unskilful Christians until in Hildebrand he had subjected the secular powers the Emperours and Princes of the West Sect. 8. The Popes two wars in general Verse 22 23 24. ANtichrist coming to the mature state of his Kingdom in Hildebrand his speciall wars began about 20 years after The first against the Turks and Sarasins on this fide Euphrates The second against the Waldensian Protestants Both properly the wars of Antichrist the one in the East the other in the West both very great as ever any were both like and equal in quality and quantity as Thuanus sheweth both about the same time succeeding one another and presently following the maturity of Antichrist in Hildebrand proposed in the words immediately prefixed Verse 22. And the arms of inundation That is the Sultans of the Turks and Sarasins which about the time of Hildebrand had made an inundation over Asia Syria Judea most cruelly persecuting the Christians there inhabiting shall be overflown from before him That is by the Christian Princes and People of the West at his decree and in subjection to him and shall be broken down For by these Western expeditions of the Christians a great part of the Turkish Kingdom on this side Euphrates was broken down many thousands of them slain and Asia part of Syria and Judea recovered and also the Prince of the Covenant The Covenant is the the Holy Covenant of the Gospel Verse 28 30 32. This Prince of this Covenant by an Enallage of the number are the Princes of the Waldenses the defenders thereof Antichrists first war against the Turks and Sarasins began An. 1096. The second against the Princes of the Holy Covenant 1209. the former war yet lasting Wherein those also were overflown and broken down but in manner as followeth First Antichrist prevailed against them by force and strength from An. 1209 to 1218. afterward perceiving that he prevailed not thereby he turned to deceit as in the next Verse Verse 23. And by reason of the joyning of themselves unto him That is neerly and strictly and faithfully as his Abbots Legats Bishops depending on him as their head he shall work deceit To wit by them Or rather thus By reason of the joyning of themselves unto him that is By reason that the Waldensian Princes should put themselves into the company of Antichrist as his Instruments upon promise of fair treaty Antichrist shall take advantage through deceit and put them under hatches and so subdue them and their Countreys So it came to passe as the History doth shew and shall come up and prevail by a small people For a small people was sufficient to take in the Waldensian Countries by peaceable composition See Hist Albin pag. 2. b. 2. c. 7 8. But when by deceit he had once brought them under hatches he persecuted them to utter destruction I use not many words in accommodation of the event because of the admirable concordance of the History See Dan. 8.25 Verse 24. He shall enter by peace That is by pretence of peaceable composition as before See Ch. 8.25 Psal 55.20 both upon the fattest places of the Province Observe the Waldensian Countries are stiled Provinces not Kingdoms and their Governours Princes not Kings Verse 22. and so it was The Province of Tolouze was theirs and a few others and the Earl of Tolouze the Earl of Beziers the Earl of Foix the Earl of Comming and Prince of Berne were their Governours Upon their Countreys Antichrist is said to enter first the fat places secondly the strong holds The fat places to note his desire of spoil and prey and he shall do that which his fathers have not done nor his fathers fathers For the like havock of lives and goods even in continuance and time of peace and cold blood and in so narrow a circuit of place was never known or heard off in any age before he shall scatter among them That is among the Bishops and cruel Harpyes the Monks Inquisitours the prey and spoil and riches For this end was so palpable in the managing of this persecution that for a man to have been rich was enough to accuse him for an Heretique Hist Wald. p. 1. b. 2. e. 1. 2. p. 7 8 9. and he shall also forecast his devices against the strong holds For he took the strong holds Castles and fenced Towns by deceit and pretence of peace Aist Alâ—ing c. 2. â— 2. p. 120 â—30 as also the History doth expressely manifest even for a time For the time of his power and indignation is set and determined Verse 36. over a time two times and half he shall not passe See Chap. 12.7 and before this the gusts of his rage are limited and there is a time of respiration to the Church and of staying the Oppressour Chap. 11.32 33 34. and 9.25 26. And thus much of the Description of
p. 252. Joseph Antiq. l. 12 c. 7. 2 Mac. 6. being most known unto Antiochus his Fathers For Seleucus Nicanor sacrificed unto Jupiter Paus l. 1. And Antiochus himself promoted the worship of Jupiter by all possible means avenged the contempt and neglect of him 6. How did he cause men to rule over many and divide the land for gain vers 39. seeing he possessed little more then the Kingdom of Syria and if he possessed any other for a time he was from thence cast out again being repulsed from Egypt and likewise from Persia and his men overthrown and cast out of Judea by Judas Maccabeus and his brother 1 Mac. 6. 7. So great so formidable and so victorious an expedition as is described vers 40. cannot be attributed unto Antiochus Epiphanes no History maketh mention thereof The Patrons of this Opinion will have it to be the third Expedition of Antiochus into Egypt proving a third from vers 29. but it shall not be as the former or as the latter whereas there is nothing spoken of Antiochus as hath been shewed and the Particle Vau is used onely by a Pleonasme to this effect That the latter Expedition should not be successfull as the former So the phrase is used Isa 24.2 Gen. 18.25 Deut. 1.27 And whereas Junius assigneth this third Expedition to Antiochus in the last year of his Raign save one against Ptolemaeus Philometor King of Egypt it cannot be for these Reasons First because his ground is false For because that Florâ—s and Zonaras do say That Ptolemaeus expelled his brother Physcon therefore Junius imagineth that Antiochus favoured Physcon and thereupon took occasion of a third Expedition into Egypt whereas the foresaid Authors do mention no such thing And the consequence is not probable for as much as the contrary would rather follow thus The Brethren in Egypt were at variance therefore they feared not Antiochus as being imployed otherwise For Zonaras affirmeth That in the second Expedition of Antiochus they perceiving his craft were reconciled Secondly Antiochus could not think of such a third Expedition 1 Mac. 6. 2 Mac. 3.29 in the last year of his Raign save one By reason of the Rebellion of the Jews and Tumults beyond Euphrates and his Treasury exhausted and the danger of provoking the Romans by one question of whose Ambassador he had been lately expelled out of Egypt Thirdly if he in a third Expedition subdued Egypt Lybia Ethiopia vers 42 43. by so strange and so victorious an inundation as is here described why was he then so cast down in Babylon at the hearing of the successes of the Jews 1 Mac. 6 7 8. The greatnesse of such fortune would have swallowed up so small a discomfort Fourthly 1 Mac. 3.32 34 39. and 4.35 Hist. An. p. 307 c. in the last year of his Raign save one he went into Persia with half his Forces another part committed to Lysias to oppose the Jews therewith by whom he was also overcome Of his Egyptian affairs not a word in History Fifthly the Holy Ghost speaketh here of the taking of Egypt as in the way and in the passage onely Sixthly the King of the South is first said to oppose the King of the North whereas Antiochus was not provoked by the King of Egypt vers 40. Seventhly Justine l. 34. saith That Antiochus after he was cast out of Egypt by Popilius in his second Expedition returning into his Kingdom there dyed leaving a yong Son behinde him Of a third Expedition neither speaketh Justine one word but rather contradicteth it as in the words alleaged Neither is a third mentioned by Josephus Livy Florus the Authors of the Books of Maecabees who yet expresly name his second Expedition 2 Mac. 5.1 The description of Daniel argueth a subduing of many and mighty Nations Could all these Historians omit so notable an Expedition in the History of Antiochus if any such had been Eightly it is not likely that Daniel should end this prophecie in Antiochus seeing the calamities of the very Jewish Nation ended not with him Neither can the foresaid Expedition be attributed to the successors of Antiochus being meaner then he Ninthly how did Antiochus subdue all other Nations and countries about Judea save onely Edom and Moab and the chief of the children of Ammon As if those three were also his Enemies whereas they were his helpers Tenthly this being the greatest and most noble Prophecy in Daniel it is reason that it should comprehend as much as the former Visions did which ended in the Roman Empire and Antichrist And therefore this cannot end in Antiochus Epiphanes Lastly it cannot end in Antiochus and the Grecian Empire because it is extended to the standing up of Christ in the last time and the Resurrection of the dead cap. 12.1 2 3 13. Sect. 12. The second Exposition of the same part from V. 36. downward according to the Opinion of Mr. Brightman VPon these grounds Gratserus and Mr. Brightman renouncing the former exposition turn themselves another way Mr. Brightman by the King spoken of v. 36. understandeth the Roman Empire in general including first the heathen Emperours to v. 40. their actions about the Jewish Church and in honour to the true God Then v. 40. he saith the ruine of the Empire is described first by the wars of the Sarasins under the title of King of the South then by the wars of the Turks under the title of King of the North. Against which Exposition I propound these difficulties following First how did the Roman Empire before Antichrist disregard the desire of women v. 37. Answer is made Because the Emperors children were not made Successors in the Empire according to the desire of their mothers Successors being promiscuously chosen according to the pleasure of the Souldiers But it is expresly said that The King shall not regard the desire of women v. 36 37. which if it be spoken of the Roman Empire must especially respect the Emperour thereof But how can it be imagined that the Roman Emperor should not be willing and desire to have his children Successors in the Empire Though the Souldiers did otherwise what is this to the desire of the King And why should the preferment of children in the Kingdom be called in so generall and remote a description The desire of women why the desire of women rather then the desire of men and of the children themselvs Secondly whereas it is said that He shall honour the god of strong holds and the god which his fathers knew not it is thought that in these words one onely God is signified and this the true God of Israel But the true God it cannot be because this King is said to honour this God but contrarily to advance himself and speak great things against the true God which is the God of gods vers 36. cap. 7.25 cap. 8.25 Thirdly if these victorious wars and conquests described v. 40. should be the Turkish wars and no
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
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
of Constantine Apocalyps 6.1.2 with 12.9 10 11 12. so notwithstanding severall gusts of Antichristian persecution the Saints being many times hurt Apocalyps 11.5 and many times beheaded as hath been said Apocalyps 20.4 yet they rise continually and prevaile and reign by the like means saving only for a little space at the loosing of the Dragon Let this be observed in conclusion that we have not from necessity so interpreted that phrase beheaded for the testimony of Iesus as hath been explicated for we may say with Paraeus that any manner of death is signified thereby and I adde any manner of punishment and affliction in generall infflicted upon Saints as hereticks and malefactours Such was reproach and lesser kinds of persecution before the times of the Waldenses and afterward the punishment of death And notwithstanding all this they are said to rise and live and reign partly in themselves and partly in their successours and members of the same body spirituall and by propheticall and priestly power to bring the constant judgement of the Vials upon the Antichristians to the retarding and restraining of the Dragon in them unto the end of the 1000 years But as concerning the Antichristians and the Dragon in them it is said of them that they should be so killed by the priestly power of the Saints being dead spiritually and censured to be as dead by prophesie and thereupon given up to the plagues of judgement that they being the residue of the dead spoken of Apocalyps 20.5 should not live again untill the thousand yeers be expired Which is to be understood either of the more generall conversion and spirituall resurrection whereby the remnant of Antichristians shall arise at the end of the 1000 years and of the years of Antichrist or of the resurrection of the dead properly so called which shall follow after the said years Apocalyps 20.8 12. or of the Antichristians cut off and slain by the constant plagues of the six former Vials through the whole space of the 1000 years and not arising perfectly or breathing out of them untill after the end of the 1000 years and for a little season As concerning the opinion of many Worthyes affirming that the reign of the Saints a 1000 yeers is to be expected in the glory of New Jerusalem at the end of the yeers of Antichrist I cannot possibly bring my judgement to incline unto it For this opinion is incumbred with inextricable difficulties and uncouth assertions as concerning a partiall resurrection from the dead before the generall and the like Moreover also it hath not any ground from the place alledged in the Revelation as hath been shewed And where New Jorusalem is purposely described there is not the least intimation of such a time determined as being to be in a perpetuall uniformity eternall after that it commeth to its height And it is cleer from Daniel 12.1 2 11 12 13. and from Revelation 11.18 that the last judgement or Viall upon Antichrist is to be compounded with the genetall resurrection For it is expressed to be the resurrection and none other followeth Daniel 12.2 wherein both Daniel and all that are wise and labour in the work of conversion shall be glorified Verse 3 13. and wherein all both small and great shall be rewarded Apocalyps 11.18 Whereas it is objected that New Jerusalem in the Prophets is described after such a manner as is sutable to a temporall manner of reigning upon earth according as the Millenary reigning is supposed to be I conceive answer may be given unto this objection For such expressions of temporall felicity as do occurre in the description of New Jerusalem are either to be understood of its state of incheation as it is in motu and especially from after the end of the years of Antichrist through the space of 45 years as Daniel expresseth Daniel 12.11 12. or being applied to its state of heavenly perfection immediately ensuing they are to be understood in a mysticall sense according to the common way and course of the holy Prophets Who knoweth not that New Jerusalem described by Ezekiel and from whom the Pictures of it are translated into the Revelation are all along mysticall and figurative And such as are the descriptions in one prophet such for the generall must be the parallel descriptions in the rest There is Christ and the Church set forth by the building of a Temple the worship of the Church by sacrifices and festivall solemnities Christ as King by the Prince or Princes of Israel glorified Saints by trees with healing leafes and fruits perpetuall and their glorious inheritance by the severall inheritances of the Sons of Israel in the land of Canaan Now I do acknowledge that these and the like places may have a generall application to the whole Kingdom of Christ and more particularly to the first degrees of the Reformation after Antichrist But my purpose is not here to speak of this larger acception In a stricter sense the foresaid passages are partly to be fulfilled in the state of inchoation at the end of the reign of Antichrist and partly of the heavenly perfection So in the state of inchoation the Ministers as Angels letting in the elect by conversion through the gates of particular Churches into the community of the whole Church of New Jerusalem shall hereby be instruments of bringing them into the heavenly perfection and shall therein be glorified with their converts And therefore in the state of heavenly perfection they are brought in under such representations as will agree to the foresaid relation which they had unto their converts in the state of inchoation Apocalyps 21.12 In like manner the Kings of the earth are said to bring their glory unto it Apocalyps 21.24 according as in the parallel Prophecy Isaiah 60. partly because in its state of inchoation they shall come unto it by conversion subjecting themselves their Kingdoms and glory thereunto in procuring the felicity thereof and partly because they shall stand in this frame of love unto Christ and his Church through all eternities in heavenly perfection Rivers of water running Hills dropping new wine Mountains flowing with milk seven times increase of the light of the Sun abundance of Corn and Feasts and Dancings and joyfull Solemnities to be expected when Jerusalem shall be restored out of Babylon are clearly Types and mysticall Expressions of the spirituall glory of the Church in generall which is the New Jerusalem when it shall be reduced out of the Babylon of Antichrist in the state of inchoation and principally when it shall ascend unto the height of heavenly felicity The Church of converted Jews shall have their portion in this Jerusalem but to make it the onely thing properly intended in Judah and Jerusalem thus described and in respect of temporall estate I conceive is far beyond the intention of the Holy Ghost One passage in the Prophet Isaiah I will endeavour to clear in stead of all other by reason of the
also decreed against them And for the immediate succession of this War after the War against the Turks and Saracens yea conjunction in time therewith mark what another writeth The Pope saith he turned the Armies of the Crosse which had been first appointed against the Saracens upon his adversaries the Waldenses A brief Relation of the state proceedings and Wars of the Waldenses and Aloingenses gathered out of the Book intituled The History of the Waldenses and Albingenses OBserve first that the Popes Expeditions against the Turks and Saracens overflowed them about the yeer 1098 and Sixty two yeers after that is in the yeer 1160 the Waldenses arose in France professing the same Doctrine that we do now and made an absolute separatation from the Church of Rome The Pope used what means he could to root them out but the more they were persecuted the more they multiplied so that on a sudden they filled that great Tract of Land which â—â—eth between the Alps and the Pirenaean mountains Pope Innocent the third perceiving the insufficiency of former Persecutions called a Synod in the yeer 1204 and there decreed that the Expeditions of the Crosse which had been appointed against the Turks should now be turned against the Waldenses and the Catholikes saith he that shall take up the Crosse for rooting them out let them enjoy the same pardon of their sins which is granted unto them that go against the Turks for the recovering of the holy Land For the stirring up of this flame he sent about his Preachers who in likelihood carried themselves as a little after when taking this or such like Texts Who will rise up with me against the evil doers and who will stand with me against the workers of iniquity they were wont to conclude their Sermons in this manner Ye see now dearly beloved how great is the malice of the Hereticks ye see also how much hurt they do in the world ye see again how religiously and by how many godly ways the Church laboureth to reclaim them But these means can do no good with them nay they defend themselves by Secular power And therefore the holy Mother the Church though unwilling and with grief doth call together a Christian Army against them Whosoever therefore hath the zeal of faith whosoever there is whom the honour of God doth touch whosoever there is that will have that great Pardon let him come and take the Crosse let him joyn himself to the War of the Crucifix By these and such like means P. 2. c. 6. p. 36. a great Army of voluntary Souldiers came together in the yeer 1209 to the number of Three hundred thousand besides many other great Levies in the yeer following At which time the Earl of Tolouze the Earl of Besiers the Earl of Foix the Earl of Comming and Prince of Bearne stood out in defence of the Waldenses against the fury of the Pope The Popes Agents and Souldiers took their Cities Towns and Castles spoiled and pillaged their Countreys killed by the Sword captivated burned hanged and dismembred with most mercilesse and cruel behaviour until about the yeer 1213 and so forward when the Waldenses began to rise again with a little help fire going forth of their mouthes and devouring them that hurt them Neither could the Pope any more by War effectually prevail until turning to policie and deceit by flatteries and lying promises he did utterly overflow and break them down For about the yeer 1228 the old Earles of Tolouze and Foix being dead Pag. 117 the young Earl of Tolouze was allured by the Abbot of Grandselve to come to Meaux in France there to conclude a Peace fair promises pretended and assurance given of safe return There contrary to faith and promise the Popes Agents did catch the Earl under hatches enslaved him to the Pope By the like flattery they took the Earl of Foix. In depth of policie they set upon him by the forced mediation of the deceived Earl of Tolouze by whom they thought they could most aptly and effectually work and accomplish their designes He accordingly wrote to some of the subjects of the Earl of Foix who being frighted with the apprehension of their ruine should intreat their Earl both to have compassion on himself and subjects who would doubtlesse be overthrown by this violence that they shew him that there was an excellent opportunity offered the onely means to make them live in perfect peace if they would perswade him to submission By the requests and tears of these frighted persons and the deceitful plots and tricks of the Popes Agents this Earl was taken also and delivered up as a gage of his affection the Castles of Foix Pag. 130. Montgailard Montreal Vicdesos and Lordat for the good of the Peace in general while he yeelded the homage demanded Thus a Peace and Composition was made by these two Earls through submission to the Pope which two props being gone Pag. 130. the Earl of Comming and Prince of Bearne could not continue See then to appearance the end of the Albingenses when in the yeer 1234 Trancavel a Bastard-son of the Earl of Besiers stood up in their defence with most prosperous successe To take him off the Popes Agents used another politick device for they cunningly wrought on him by the mediation of the deceived Earl of Foix through great promises and threats of danger to bring him to some peaceable designe and their craft successefully prospered in his hand 〈◊〉 134. And thus were the Waldensian Princes overflown and broken down by Peace and crafty devices and not by War and their Churches fell with them For although the horrible and consuming destruction of the Waldenses was hotly and eagerly continued by the Monks Inquisitors Hist Wald. â— 1. b. 2. â—2 p. 9. from the yeer 1206 to the yeer 1228 yet now their Princes being by subtilty thrust under hatches their destruction did in comparably encrease For from hence arose that great Persecution by the Monks Inquisitors 〈◊〉 2. b. 2. â— 122 124 who taking this poor people disarmed and forsaken of their Leaders as many as would not forsake their Faith kindled their fires more then ever whereby they were utterly rooted out and the remnant seattered to the Mountains and over all Europe This I thought needful to presix that the Prophecie following might more clearly be understood Now we proceed in the explication of the Text. Concerning Antichrist these Particulars are shewed Verse 8 c. 1. THat his rising is among the ten horns in these words There came up among them So that the first rising of Antichrist doth concur with the first rising of the ten horns And so expresly Revel 17.12 they receive power as Kings at one hour with the Beast And Antichrist was to be manifested upon the removal of the Romane Empire 2 Thess 2.7 8 which began effectually to be removed by the ten Kings after Constantine the Great proportionately with the