be on a fire and colder comfort for the twelve Tribes who are like to lie in the dungeon of darknesse impenitencie and unbelief untill the day of Judgement come upon them and damn them they by this opinion shall never see Christ till he come to damn them their consciences shall be fast asleep untill hell-fire awake them their faith in Christ shall be no other then that of the devils to believe and be damned Thus making void both the gracious purposes and promises of God towards them both in the Old and New Testament It is really so for it is a generall received truth amongst the learned Expositors that the Jews generall conversion to the Gospel shall not be untill Antichrist be destroyed and it is a clear truth in Scripture But if Antichrist be not destroyed untill the day of Judgement farewell the Jewes conversion and salvation for ever Some of the learned who hold this opinion and fearing as justly they may this undeniable argument grounded on so many known prophetick promises have allowed the Jews or rather the prophetick promises about seven weeks time to accomplish their great work they say betwixt the destruction of Antichrist and the day of Judgment there shall be the space of five and fourty dayes which is the time alotted for the Jews to repent in and believe and imbrace the Gospel Here 's a little charity but blessed Jews that Gods charity is not measured to you by the Papists scant yard Miserable comforters are they which bring you here the best news from this groundlesse opinion which we shall answer two wayes The first by way of supposition Secondly Plainly and positively both to the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I Suppose it should be granted that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did alwayes signifie Christs personall presence yet is their Argument never the lesse questionable as falsly grounded for we say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here belongs not to Christ but to Antichrist for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in probabiltie relates to the Antichrist for it is usuall say the learned in that language to have the relative refer not to the proximate but to the remote antecedent after the manner of the Hebrews which we finde frequent in Scriptures so that the meaning of the text possibly is this God will destroy Antichrist when he shall appear in his outward splendor and pompe to the World when he is at the full God shall by a sudden change bring him into the wane untill he have utterly consumed in a day when he thinks not of Christ and an hour when he is not aware of him he will come upon him and cast him alive into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone The next words seem to confirme this opinion especially as the Syriack Interpreter reads them Adventus enim illius est c. where enim seems to be put causally So that the sense seems to be this the Lord shall destroy him in the brightnesse of his comming because his comming is according to the working of Satan if this be a true Exposition as for ought I know it is then are their arguments which are grounded on this Text quite overthrown But we will not adhere to this opinion therefore answer positively to the word that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies not alwayes the personall appearing of Christ it is not denied but that the word properly signifies presence essential presence oft-times signifies the coming of Christ to Judgment but not always See what our noble English Greek Critick saith he allowes it a saepè but not a semper it is oftentimes put for the personall appearance of Christ but not alwayes so saith Grotius upon this Text and so say some other learned Protestants Calvin bends this way putting an incertum est upon the generall received opinion of Christs comming to Judgement here Besides all this we have many clear Texts which prove that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth not always signifie Christs personal appearance as 2 Pet. 1. 16. we made known unto you the power coming of our Lord Jesus that is his powerful coming by his Spirit in the ministery of the Gospel to convert souls to God Such a phrase Christ himselfe useth of himself in this sense Matth. 16. 28. There be some here which shall not taste of death untill they see the Son of man come in his Kingdome that is sending the Holy Ghost to propagate the Gospel by signes and miracles so say the last Annotations on the Bible or else say those Notes Christs comming in power by execution of Judgments upon the Jewes to the utter overthrow of that Nation Matth. 24. 3 30. this Text is rightly quoted but I conceive not rightly expounded had the Exposition been quite contrary it had been more consonant to the Disciples question and Christs answer to it for Christs comming Matth 24 is to save the Jews to restore them both to be a Church and State again The question that here the Disciples ask is the same that they ask of Christ after his passion Acts 1. 6. Wilt thou at this time restore the Kingdome to Israel to which question as to the matter of it Christ gives no negative but rather an affirmative answer as much as to say that time is to be but 't is in the fathers hands this is laid up in store with God and sealed amongst his treasures Deut. 32. 34. 't is the great mystery which was not for them to know This appearing of God to build up Sion Psal. 10â—… 16 17 18. that is to restore the twelve Tribes it is written for the Generations to come 't is a mystery to be unlocked to the latter ages of the World About this Kingdome the Pharisees discourse with Christ Luke 17. 20. demanding of him when it should be it seems they had faith enough to believe that there would be some glorious restauration of the Kingdome to Israel and this Christ doth not deny but shews to the end of that Chapter the signes fore-going the comming of this Kingdome the restoring of which in the next Chapter Luke 18. 8. Christ calls the comming of the Son of man and in Matth. 24. 30. the coming of Christ in the clouds and Revel 1. 7. which must necessarily be meant of the Jews wailing with penitentiall convictions and fiducial imbracings of Christ for were it meant of the damned Jews howles at the day of Judgment Iohn would never conclude it with an Even so Amen With this Text compare diligently Matth. 24. 30. and Luke 21. 27 28. and it will manifestly appear that the comming of Christ in clouds is his powerfull and glorious comming by the power of the Holy Ghost in the efficacious working of the Gospel to convert the Jews working in them godly sorrow and faith which present time is that which Luke saith is the time of the Jews redemption drawing nigh not of their finall damnation In this sense Matth. 23.
their word of prophecie Therefore when Christ was cried up of the people for a Prophet the Pharisees come and require a signe from beaven Matth. 16. 1. that was to confirm his extraordinary mission and the new doctrines that he taught As Christ by signes and miracles confirmed his Anointing as only Head Priest and Prophet as man and so anointed above his fellows above all that ever were he was Davids Lord the King of Kings Priest of Priests and Prophet of Prophets as he I say confirms his unction and his new government by signes and miracles So the Antichrist when he comes he shall come in the spirit or energy of the Devil and with lying signes and wonders endeavour to confirm his usurpation by pretending to an extraordinary mission he goes to prove his title to what he usurps by the false signe of providence of Saintship of immediate revelations and such like wayes This observe as a general truth that that man or Church or State since the establishing of the Gospel-Church upon the Bible that have no better title then the present signes and miracles they bring with them to uphold it do build upon an Antichristian foundation For you may be sure their title is not good by the law of Christ in his sacred records who flie from that to feigned signes and miracles of their own I cannot say particularly what these signes are but sure I am from the text they are deceitful signes and prodigious signes What prodigies and signes Europe yea the World hath had these four yeers past I leave the judicious of the World to judge I pass on to the Scriptures that are cogent with the text I Revel 13. 13. there the Antichrist doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 make great signes and upon what designes but to cheat the men of the earth to a subjection to his new government as you may see in the afterwords of that Chapter Another parallel text we have in Matth. 24 24. where the Antichrist is set forth by his followers those that comply with him and promote him by dividing and corrupting and over-toping the true Church by those factions of Apostates which they draw out of the Church against it They are caâ—…led false Christs and false Prophets who 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though this be not spoken of the person of Antichrist yet 't is spoken of the followers of Antichrist who appear in the Church with the Antichrist and are the instruments of broaching those false signes which in the other texts are attributed to the Antichrist he being the head and patronizer of them for it is not to be imagined that â—…e alone doth these signes but he hath fit instruments designed by him for the work The Frogs out of the Dragons mouth the three unclean spirits help him I am loath to enter upon Revel 16. it being a Chapter so full of unrevealed revelations there being much more difficulty in it then commonly Expositors conceive yet if I did affirm that Revel 16. 16. ran parallel with Pauls prophecie in the description of Antichrists ruine verse 8. whereby the breath of Gods mouth as in Revel 19. 15. and the brightness of his coming as verse 12 16. manifesteth he is destroyed with his fellows verse 20. that is brought to Armageddon Revel 16. 16. I think I could easily prove it and upon better grounds then as yet I see by former Authours of other opinions refuted but I must return to a harder task and that is to prove that Matth. 24. 24. is a prophecie of the Antichrist and his followers For proof hereof we must borrow the method of him who wrote the last Annotations upon this Chapter Here are saith he three questions propounded 1 Of the ruine of the Temple and of Ierusalem 2 Of Christs comming to restore the Jews 3 Of his comming to judge the World As for that end spoken of v. 14. it is not meant the end of the World but the end of the Jewish Church and State-government the Temple and the Throne should be ruined Now to these three questions Christ distinctly answers denying none as false nor reproving them as needlesse To the first question you have an answer which extends to v. 22. To the second question viz. when Christ shall come to convert the Jews and restore the Kingdome to Iudah that is unite the twelve Tribes again in one Religion under one King as it was under David and Solomon The Disciples were questionlesse right in the question for otherwise Christ would have shewed them their errour and mistake but that Christ doth not neither in this Chapter nor in Act. 1. 6. where they ask this question Wilt thou at this time restore the Kingdome to Israel i. e. unite Iudah and Ephraim the two sticks in Gods hand They had this opinion not onely by tradition from their fathers but they had it from their prophecies the written received Word from Moses and all the Prophets See what answer Christ makes to them It is not for you to know the times and the seasons that the Father hath put into his hands but ye shall receive power the Spirit of Revelation after his ascension should reveal this to them as it was to the beloved Disciple Iohn and to all them who by the Spirit afterwards understood Christs prophecies in Matth. 24. and Luke 21. So that Christ positively affirmes that such a restauration of the Kingdome to Israel there should be and they should have in due time a more full discovery of that truth in the mean time 't was reserved in the Fathers hands He that wrencheth the scope of Christs words to a contrary sense in my judgement offers exceeding much violence to the Text. Likewise in Luke 17. 20. when the Pharisees that grounded this question of the comming of the Kingdome of God upon the Old Testament-prophecies which are clear in the thing Christ denies not the question but answers to it in Moses words from whence they raised the question So that it is manifest the Disciples were found in the question about Christs comming to call home the twelve Tribes to which he answers from v. 23. to v. 35. where he gives the Symptomes immediately going before his comming and that is â—… Antichrist and his followers should be busie where in the Church about what about dividing Christ making factions in the Church saying Here is Christ and there is Christ behold he is in the desert behold he is in the secret chamber thus Antichrists followers by factions raised in the Church and by their false signes and false wonders in successes providences pretences of sanctity and such like falsities shall prevail so exceedingly that generally all loose professours shall be drawn to a defection or a cursed neutrality or to a malicious apostasie from the Church yea they shall stagger many of the elect and were it possible make them also finally to fall into the same delusions impenitencie and irrecoverable apostasie Now v. 27. comes
Let no man deceive you by any means The Apostle proceeds from intreating to commanding and that negatively that it might be the more obligatory at all times to their consciences Let no man deceive you by any means 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as noble Leigh that famous Critick observes signifies such a deceit which a false theef useth to a traveller offering himself a guide to direct him a better way to his journeys end and so leading him to some dismal place that he may rob him By any means 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to a word it is thus By any version and so the meaning most probably is this Let no one deceive you by any misinterpretation or subtil kinde of false glosses upon any Sermon I preached or Epistle that I writ to you or any other of the Churches and so this negative precept is brought in as a vehement reiteration of his dehortatory Petition which mightily confirms his Doctrine that the general day of Judgment is not at hand This doctrine he confirms in the ten next Verses Thus I have done with the Doctrinal part The Second Part. Of the general Apostasie from the true Profession of Christianitie and of the Anti-christ Ver. 3. FOr that day shall not come except there come a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed the son of perdition 4. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God 5. Remember ye not that when I was yet with you I told you these things 6. And now ye know what with-holdeth that he might be revealed in his time 7. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work only he who now leteth will let untill he be taken out of the way 8. And then shall that wicked be revealed whom the Lord will consume with the Spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming 9. Even he whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders 10. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved 11. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lie 12. That they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness CHAP. I. THis portion of Scripture stands amongst Pauls Epistles like the Tower of Ophel upon the wall of Ierusalem clouded and shadowed with sacred Mysteries it may wel be put amongst his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hard places of Scripture to be understood which not only the unlearned but some Learned have wrested for ought I know to their own and others destruction Here we may truly take up the Rabins saying meeting with a hard place of Scripture Opusâ—…st hiâ—… quadringentis Camelis onust is commentariis rationem reddere We had need of four hundred Camels loads of Commentaries to give us light into this Prophesie The Prophesie in general is of the great Apostasie in the Gentile Gospel Church and of the Anti-christ Now such and so numerous are the various opinions of Learned men about Anti-christ that it gives occasion to many men who regard not the times or the seasons scoffingly to give out that Anti-christ is some ignis fatuus that is now in this Kingdom now in that anon no where and presently again every where some make him a Divel some a State some a particular man a King a General Others give out that Anti-christ is like the Philosophers Stone much talked on but never seen yet or known But all these Scoffers do not one jot diminish the truth of the sacred Word concerning Anti-christ for as for example there are many Ignoramuses this day in States affairs amongst whom my self is one that do not distinctly know who are the Custodes Libertatis Angliae some say the General Councel of the Army some say the House of Commons as now modelled others the Councel of State others the Keepers of the Great Seal and others the Judges of the Land now because we through our ignorance do not know them will it therefore follow that there are no Custodes Libertatis Angliae this would prove in the end but a bad conclusion for my part I draw no such conclusions but my prayer to God and my hope is that he will speedily dispel all fogs and mists of ignorance from deceived people that at last they may eminently and clearly perceive who are the Veri Custodes Libertatis Angliae But to our purpose That there have been and are many Anti-christs and that there is to be eminently the Anti-christ in the world before the day of Judgment none can deny that do confess the truth of the Scriptures In 1 Ioh. 2. 18. 22 there you have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the petty Antichrists and twice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the great Antichrist eminently Antichrist Of this Antichrist there are various opinions which arise many of them from the very word as say some Antichrist must be one that pretends to be for Christ but is the great enemy to Christ and his Saints and this they draw from the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which our Grammers tel us signifies both for and against in opposition it is put for for and so both Humane Authors and the Scripture frequently inform us as Ioh. 1. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Grace for Grace But Criticks who give this gloss do affirm that both in opposition and composition it signifies for and against but I suppose it seldom signifies for in composition but against and so generally Authors understand the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for one that opposeth Christ So saith Hillary it is the property of the name of Antichrist to be contrary to Christ Nominis Antichristi propriet as est esse Christo contrarium and so say other Authors But if we wil have the full signification of this compound word we must look as well to the signification of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 comes from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies to annoint and so the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies against the Annointed who the Annointed are Rev. 11. 4 5 6. compared with Zach. 4. 3 11 14. tel us In the Church under the Ceremonial Law the King and the Priests only were annointed indeed Prophets were annointed sometimes but that was extraordinary not by Ceremonial constitution but immediate command These two Sacred functions are not destroyed but refined under the Gospel so that probably the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is he that slaies the Witnesses for his proper name is the Opposer of the Lords Annointed the enemy that makes war with and overcomes the sons of Oyl the Witnesses the two Olive trees This is that Antichrist which Paul in this place
of God as the Apostate expounds it in other places the Church of God and sâ—… the most judicious of the Papists expound it and generally all the Protestants so expound it fetching their warrant not onely from the Fathers but from the Scriptures 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 comes from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because this is Gods habitation he dwels there so that the Antichrists seat cannot be Rome that apostate Church but that Church where God in an especiall manner dwels in the purity of his Gospel-Ordinances 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sits as God here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is very Emphaticall implying thus much that he is but an usurper he is not really nor rightfully the supream head he is but a would-be-King and an insolent usurper of what he possesseth he sits as God God is here to be expounded as before he opposeth and exalteth himselfe above every god that is Magistrate and here he sits as God that is as supream Head Governour or Monarch in the room of them he threw down and all this in the midst of the Church the truest and purest Church Augustine hath a prophetick glosse upon this text he conceives by sitting in the Temple of God is meant his domineering and insulting in a Church-way as if he and his followers were the only true Church the only Saints and all others but in the dark foolish professours and far short of him and his followers in point of Saint-ship Some Books for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the people of God so that he as God sits upon the people of God for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to a word is in populum this reading doth neither contradict the precedent nor the following sense but rather confirms it shewing that the Antichrist shall sit as Monarch over and against the people of God therefore Dan. 7. 25. he is said to weare out the Saints of the most High and to change their times and lawes and they are said to be given into his hands i. e. to be delivered up to his Tyranny for three years and the half of three in which time he shews himself as if he were the sole Monarch of those Kingdomes which the true Professours of the Gospel do possesse Shewing himself that he is God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the vulgar renders it ostendens so our Translators render it in English Erasmus reads it ostâ—…ntans boasting or bragging Beza reads prae se ferens pretending I may so translate it The Greek word answering to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Morâ—…h which in English is making himself to appear that he is God that is that he is in the power and authority of them whom he did subdue which are called gods the supream Governours he sets himself out to be the Supream 't is a selâ—…created title and power that he hath none in lawfull authority gave him any such great authority but he takes it to himselfe so in Dan. 11. 36 he exalts himself and magnifies himself 't is the Kingdome that he seeks for himself self-promotion is his end that he may be mighty in the eyes of the world he makes himselfe god i. e Monarch Some read tanquam sit deus as if he were god that is demonstrating to the world by his imperious acts that he is no lesse then an absolute Monarch he is no whit inferiour to a King in power therefore he is as a King and this he makes the World to know by his actions therefore saith 〈◊〉 Paul doth not say saying but endeavouring to make it appâ—…ar that he is supream his actions shall tell the World what he is nâ—…t his words for his words are smoother then oil therein he is like the Pope the first beast before him Revel 13. 12. CHAP. IV. REmember ye not that when I was yet with you I told you thâ—…se things The most of Expositors passe by this Verse as being plaine and easie to be understood and so it is therefore it should be observed There is nothing difficult in the Copies or the Translators of them Zaâ—…chie saith no more of it then this which is just nothing Hic verâ—…us nihil habet obscuritatis In the like manner do the rest ride pâ—…st over it This Text is like a two-edged sword in the hand of Paul that spirituall hampion whereby he divides asunder betwixt the seducers and the seduced A man would take this Text primâ—… intuitâ—… to be very abruptly brought in that in the very middle of a prophecâ—…e of such mighty importance he should bring in such a parenthâ—…sis seâ—…ms harsh but ô the wisdome and prudence of this mighty man or rather of the mighty Spirit of God in this Apostle There is that vis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or kinde of formative vertue here in Pauls words whereby each faculty of the soul that by Hereticks had been alarumed and routed is rallied again and put into a stronger posture thenever to withstand the enemy This Text confirmes the truth of his Doctrine confutes their sluggish ignoble demeanure in not searching the Scriptures like the Bereans their neighbours and re-establisheth them in the truth by putting them in minde how that it was nothing but that which he had taught them and they had received for truth before Hereby Paul confounds the Hereticks and Seducers Thus comes Paul as the Sun which at once dispelleth darknesse and administers heat light and refreshment Remember ye not Interrogatio haec quandam reprehensionis speciem prae se fert saith loyall Bradshaw the Divine upon this Text. Remember ye not that when I was yet with you I told you these things All errours and heresies in a person or a constituted Church such as that of Thâ—…ssalonica arise either from wilfull wickednesse or ignorance and that ignorance ariseth either through carelesse negligence or forgetfulnesse either from neglect of learning and understanding truth or through forgetfulnesse of those tâ—…uths they had been taught this was the Thâ—…ssalonians fault the Devil had picked the jewel of truth out of the Cabinet of their memory that now any shining stone was imbraced as precious never regarding whether it were true or false At this great losse comes Paul with the lost Jewell and restores it to its former Cabinet he returns it again cum paterna exprobratione lâ—…niter eos castâ—…gans Remember ye not Old truths forgot presage much 〈◊〉 to ensue upon the peccant Churches or persons 't is like slipping Anchor in a dangerous sea this Church rode safe at Anchor against all the windes and storms of heretical doctrines whiles they kept in memory Pauls truths but having cut that golden Cable on a sudden that Church was dangerously driven amongst the Rocks and now in this storme comes Paul like another Saviour walking upon this troubled Sea châ—…ding these windes and bidding them be still he brings them once again unto an Anchor by remembring them of what truths they had forgot happy Thessalonica
that had such a Pilot in such a stresse This Text is the sheat-Anchor which staid the driving ship of the Church of Thessalonica they had heard Paul in person preach of the grand Apostasie and the comming of Antichrist and of thâ—… great let untill the time of Antichrists appearing and how all these must be fulfilled before the day of Judgement but they had forgot all this untill Paul had remembred them 't is certainly an excellent piece of divine policie in a time when a Church hath â—…lipt the anchor of old truths and is tossed to and fro with heresies to minde them of old truths for all errour in the Church as we said is either caused through forgetfulnesse or wilfulnesse as for wilfull Apostates they are past cure without infinite mercy and an extraordinary divine arme stretched out they are miserably ship-wracked to eternity but as for forgetful apostates what better remedie can be brought for their recovery then bringing to their remembrance ancient truths from which they have swerved What makes so many eminent professours in these our dayes turn Apostates but onely forgetfulnesse their fear and care of their persons families and estates hath made them forget their Baptismall Sacramentall Nationall Personall Engagements This sin of forgetfulnesse caused some who went to prison triumphing like Martyrs to return from prison sneaking like Malefactors they forgot Solomons words Prov. 4. 6. and a greater then Solomons in Matth 16. 25 26. and 19. 28. and Revel 21. 7 8. and 2. 7 17 26. and 3. 5 11 12. In truth such was their forgetfulnesse through fear that they forgot their own Epistles Poor souls I pity them and pray that either they may remember themselves or others may quite forget them let their shamefull acts never be published in Gath. Mark 8. 18. Do ye not remember The Apostle proves the truth of his Doctrine both from an ocular and auricular demonstration they had seen him in person mainteining it with their ears received it formerlâ—…â—…or a truth so that the Apostle drove them to this Dilemma either to be quiet and establish themselves in the truth by rejecting those seducers and their doctrines or to proclaim to the World that they were Apostates in forsaking the Light and the Truth which they once imbraced CHAP. V. ANd now ye know what with-holdeth that he might be revealed in his time This Text is neither plain to be read nor easie to be understood Some of the Fathers have onely this dark Comment upon it that they understand it not Hereupon some as darkly say of this Text that Pauls intention was not to be understood by any but the Thessalonians Venerable Beda and Dr. Estius ingeniously confesse they understand it not and several others though not in words in their works professe as much I pray God I be not one of them I am the likeliest of all men If I am 't is not for want of search For Hagar I think did not search more for a Fountain then I have done for a Stream naturally flowing from this profound Well yet am still exceeding thirsty The Text it selfe is an inference drawn from a double reason in the premisses The inference is that now they knew what hindered the appearing of Antichrist and the grounds of his inference are from v. 3 4 5. 1 There shall be a generall Apostasie v. 3. before the man of sin be revealed 2 That man of sin before he comes to be formally the man of sin must v. 4 stay the Witnesses and this was no strange or new doctrine for v. 5. he had preached it to them before so that from this double Demonstration he in this Text concludes with a confutation of their former preposterous conclusions for the forme of the Apostles speech is Elenchicall they concluded that the day of Judgement was at hand No such matter saith Paul for the generall Apostasie must continue a certain space first and then must come the man of sin in the end of that and he must slay the Witnesses and this you may remember I taught you therefore now certainly you cannot but know what lets the Antichrists appearing since you have been double taught it viz. that of the generall Apostasie which God by his revealed decree hath ordered first to be and then the slaying of the Witnesses the overcomming and suppressing of that Magistracy and Ministery which upheld Gods holy Ordinances in their purity for the Apostasie did but drive the Witnesses into the wildernesse where the Antichrist in the end of the Apostasie findes them and slayes them He opposeth and exalteth himselfe above all that is called God i. e. Magistracie or that for Religions sake is reverenced for so much the Greek word imports that is the Ministery which for their works sake are to be had in double honour The Apostle draws an argument à 〈◊〉 impedimenti that the great let must be the two Witnesses for they are the mountain which stand in the Antichrists way all his war is with them and all his Tyranny is over them and their Subjects I cannot finde in all the Scrâ—…pture what should be the great let but the two Witnesses 't is they that have fire in their mouths to devour their enemies they have power to shut heaven and power over waters to turn them to blood these all are but expressions of their prevalencie with God against their enemies those Antichristian enemies which persecute them into the Wildernesse and hence it is that Antichrist Revel 11. 7. makes war with them by which 't is clear 't is a Nationall Church under a lawfull Magistracy and Ministery which are in a capacity of levying war against the Antichrist that by the way chiefly observing this that they are the Antichrists let And v. 10. They that dwell on the earth i. e. Antichrists followers they rejoyce and make merry and send gifts one to another and what 's the matter because those two Prophets tormented them that dwell on the earth that is those Antichristian factions they i. e. the Witnesses kept down Antichrist with his followers therefore these rejoyce for their slaying I very well know the diversity of opinions on this Text Some and those of the Eastern Churches conceive the great let is the Spirit of God whose powerfull influence in the Gospel kept Antichrist under This in some sense is true yet not in opposition but confirmation of that opinion of the Witnesses being the great let for what Mediators doth the Spirit make use of betwixt his Majesty and men but only the Witnesses Moses and Aaron were thus his Mediators Others say the great let is the decree of God this in some sense though not in theirs is true for there are no events but what fall under Gods decree but we speak and so doth the Apostle of the second not of the first causes Others say the doctrine of the Gospel was that great let which kept Antichrist from appearing This opinion
the slain bodies of the Witnesses which so soon as they rise must needs tumble down again their night is his noon When they are at the very lowest then is he at the very highest Be confident of this that the Antichrist is one single person destinated eminently to this one single act of slaying the Witnesses from which act he takes the name of Antichrist and therefore before that time he is not to be expected to be revealed in and to the world 2 Here is another of Antichrists titles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Syriack translate it iniquus ille and our best English reads that wicked so the same words is translated Act. 2. 23. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by wicked hands by illegall hands in the Greek another reads it the man of sin Beza reads it most properly exlex ille and other learned men acknowlege that it should be so read though they render it otherwise conceiving that Antichrist is so called Antonomasticè by putting one name for another as lawlesse for impious We finde the word to signifie the same that Peshang in Isa. 53 12. signifies for the same word in Luke 22. 37. is this in the Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and he was numbered amongst the lawlesse persons or it may be translated out-lawed persons persons so notoriously sinfull and abominable in their wickednesse that the law hath cast them out condemned them and sentenced them such a one is Antichrist he is so notorious a transgressour against all law both Gods and mans that they both condemn him and hence Daniel 7. 25. he is said to change the lawes and the customes of the Saints he changeth them by breaking them setting up his new image against them Revel 13. 14 15 16. which new image is Dan. 11. 38. his god Mauzim or god of forces his sword-power He is saith Estius called the lawlesse one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quia jus omne divinum atque humanum conciliat in some sense it may well be applied to him that slayes the Witnesses because neither Gods lawes nor mans lawes are valued a jot by him but all must passe for law and divinity that he saith or doth Indeed many learned men take notice of the Emphasis in the article 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thence not onely observing as the most do that he is one single person but that person singularly wicked ille iniquus quia singularitèr iniquus saith Aquinas 3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall be revealed here you have the rearm or the Apostles manner of expressing Antichrists reigne he shall be revealed that is saith Zanchie he shall be so discovered that he may be plainly seen and known in his wicked reigne to be the Antichrist and so Tirinus understands revelabitur i. e. in lucem prodibit iniquus ille Antichristus quem post tres cum dimidio annos Dominus Iesus interficiet The word is very significant and addes this to our discovery of Antichrist when he comes 1 That when the Witnesses are slain the prodigiousnesse of the act shall make the person that slayes them eminently noted and observed in the World I mean that person who in their ruine exalts himself and rules and tyrannizeth by his Sword-power Therefore it is said Revel 13. 16. he causeth all both small and great to submit to his new government so that small and great shall know and feelingly know the person when he reignes they shall know him by his new government which much like that of Caesars vers 12. and by his successes and prosperous attempts against his enemies and by his manner of enforcing men to subscribe to his new government but though the World know him thus yet they shall not by this know him to be the Antichrist For as when Christ came in the flesh the Elders and Scribes and Pharisees and Herod and Pontius Pilate saw him and heard of his miracles yet did not know him nor believe in him as the Son of God because it was hidden from these wise and learned men they had eyes to see him and the miracles that he did and eares to hear him and the gracious words that he uttered but they did not see nor hear so as they ought viz. to believe in him as the Messias what said they is not this the Carpenter and the son of a Carpenter even so shall Antichrist of the apostate Gentiles be seen and felt and heard but not understood to be the Antichrist they shall not know him when he comes for he shall deceive them Revel 13. 14. that dwell on the earth yea saith Christ If it were possible the very elect but 't is impossible for God shall reveal this lawlesse one to them to be the Antichrist The word imports the revelation of a mystery which is revealed onely to some peculiar choice familiar friends but remains a mystery to the vulgar world notwithstanding this secret is revealed onely to such as fear the Lord Antichrist shall not be known to be the Antichrist though the prodigious acts of Antichrist shall be known to the generality of men in the world I mean that part of the world where Antichrist usurpes a dominion CHAP. X. WHom the Lord will destroy with the spirit of his mouth Here we have the ruine of the Antichrist which is expressed in these two words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the person that ruines this man of sin is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and then the manner how or the Instrument wherewith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the spirit of his mouth Observe this from the connexion of the reigne and ruine of the Antichrist that his reigne and his ruine are neer together soon after he is revealed to be the Antichrist shall the Lord Christ ruine him This Text I am confident is generally the most mistaken of any Text in all the Bible principally in this that they make this comming of Christ to slay the Antichrist to be the day of Judgement whereby all hope of the Jews conversion to the Gospel is totally taken away for the prophecies make it clear that the Jewes generall flocking in to the Gospel is after the ruine of the Antichrist I trust therefore through the influence of the Holy Ghosts light in the Scripture in opening the Text to clear it that the day of Christs comming here to destroy Antichrist cannot in any wise be the day of Judgement Whom the Lord By Lord here is concluded on all sides is meant the Lord Jesus and so Lord for the most part signifies in the Old Testament especially where you finde it joyned with God there you may ever conclude it signifies Jesus Christ. Shall destroy or consume or dissolve to nothing or kill for so as the learned observe it signifies With the breath of his mouth or the spirit of his mouth About this Interpreters differ the most say that by spirit of his mouth is meant the preaching of the Gospel
be a Nation and therefore we have both in the Old Testament and the New these prophecies joyned together for the great signe of the Jews conversion to the Gospel shall be the ruine of Antichrists followers by a great Commotion Revel 11. 13. and the calling up of the Witnesses to heaven i. e. to their imperiall Seat and Throne This we shall finde to be the scope of severall prophecies both in the Old and New Testament and this is the scope of this fore-cited Text in Isa. which when we look neerer to it we finde both the manner of expression and the matter contained in it exactly matching Pauls expression and prophecie for in it as in Pauls we finde an ingemination of the thing and the denomination of the person for Paul calls him the wicked one and Isaiah calls him the wicked one Paul saith he will destroy him with the spirit of his mouth and Isaiah saith he will destroy him with the Scepter of his mouth and Iohn in Revel 19. with the sword of his mouth which sword is called Isa. 27. 1. the Lords great and strong sword Now in that he saith he will smite the earth I humbly conceive in this place he means the Antichristian earth and by the wicked one is meant the Antichrist which Paul in the Text we are upon calls the wicked one therefore now in that he saith He will smite the Antichrist with the Scepter of his mouth it gives us to understand that Antichrist shall not be destroyed by humane power but by the immediate power of the Lord Jesus Christ who shall gloriously manifest his justice therein therefore in that Type of the Witnesses in sack-cloth Zach. 3. under the representation of Iehoshua the Priest in filthy garments and of their state of rising again under the type of Crowns being put on their heads and their garments changed and Ioshuah and Zerubbabel standing like golden Candlesticks of the Temple and Olive-trees supplying them The Prophet wondering how this should be brought about in such an afflicted state as the Church was then in the answer is Not by humane help or power but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hosts Zach 4. 6. the mighty power of the Spirit shall make that mountain a plain before his Zerubbabel Out of Christs mouth goeth a sharp sword wherewith he smites the Gentiles The sword in his mouth is his imperiall command the word of an absolute Monarch is a sword against whom none can stand there lies the majesty of a Monarch in his absolute commands which commands are the spirit of his mouth or the Scepter of his mouth or the sword of his mouth how much more is it so in the King of kings and Lord of lords If the Word of Christ from the mouths of weak Ambassadours be sharper then a two-edged sword vvhat is it immediately from heaven the voice of the Lord breaks the Cedars in Lebanon it bringeth mighty things to passe the voice is the spirit of the mouth this voice is that vvhich calls the Witnesses from death to life from their low and sad state up to heaven Revel 11. 12. and the same hour causeth an Earth-quake or Commotion to overthrow the Chieftains of men who were by their sword-power the upholders of the Antichrist v. 13. and this voice causeth all the Kingdoms in the world to flock in unto the Gospel and Scepter of Christ and what power in heaven or earth can effect such glorious things but onely the spirit of his mouth who breaths the life of all souls into them Out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword whereby he smites the Nations Revel 19. 15. That which from all this we may gather is that neither the rising of the Witnesses nor the ruine of Antichrist shall be by meer humane help or power but by the mighty imperiall power of Christ. Hence it is that when Christ commeth to accomplish this great work Luke 18. 8. he shall scarce finde faith on the earth and why but onely because he 'l come to raise the Witnesses when there is no visible power in the world to own them Deut. 32. 36. Isa. 59. 16 17 18 19. and when the enemies are in their might and strength irresistible When the adversary shall come in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall blow him to flight and this shall be v 16. when there is no man to help or save his Church as in that of Moses before cited when there is none shut up nor left and all their power is gone then God ariseth to judge for his people against their proud insulting enemies These three verses comprehend the fore-cited Texts which run parallel with Pauls In v. 16. you have Christ clothing himself in armour to come against this enemy as in Revel 19. and v. 19. he destroys the adversary by blowing upon him 't is as much as to say the Lord shall destroy him with the spirit of his mouth But when shall this Text of Isaiahs be fulfilled compare v. 20 with Rom. 11. 25 26. it tells you when it shall be fulfilled when the fulnesse of the Gentiles is come in i. e. when the Gentile Apostasie is come to the full i e. when the Antichrist appeares with his great successes against the true Church which Isaiah in v. 18. seems to tell us shall be situated in the Islands towards the Evening-Sun v. 19. for as the Gospel in its first glorious day came from the East and shone into the West so in the second glorious day of the Gospel this day Isaiah tells us it shall go from the West to the East for then all Israel the Easterne people shall be saved i e. converted to the faith and restored to their own land as it is written There shall come out of Sion a deliverer and turn ungodliness from Iacob I 'le appeal to all sober men in this world whether ever this Text that Paul quotes since Pauls time hath been fulfilled if not then probably it is to be fulfilled when the apostasie of the Gentiles is fulfilled when the Antichrist the Popedome and the Dragon are cast into utter darknesse and by Christ destroyed As for that Text Isa. 11. 4. we take the boldnesse to affirm that it is literally meant of the destruction of the Antichrist as Pauls Text is Paul taking this prophecie from Isaiah that so the Jews in time to come might believe Paul as well as their own Prophets to be sent of God My reasons why I take this Text to be prophesied of the Antichrist are 1 Because of the stupendious change which shall then be wrought v. 6 7 8. there shall be a blessed cordial and charitable union wrought betwixt Jew and Gentile this say the learned was partly begun by the twelve Apostles but it shall be compleated after Antichrists ruine by the prosperous successe of the two Witnesses so that the glorious effect of Christs appearing to ruine Antichrist is to be accomplished 2 Because