god_n and_o also_o governor_n from_o the_o first_o come_v out_o of_o babylon_n until_o the_o second_o temple_n be_v finish_v nor_o may_v we_o take_v in_o any_o governor_n who_o do_v bear_v rule_n afterward_o from_o the_o time_n that_o ezra_n go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n until_o the_o day_n of_o nehemiah_n because_o in_o all_o this_o time_n ezra_n be_v authorize_v by_o king_n artaxerxes_n to_o set_v governor_n and_o magistrate_n over_o the_o people_n chap._n 7.25_o and_o thou_o ezra_n after_o the_o wisdom_n of_o thy_o god_n that_o be_v in_o thy_o hand_n set_v magistrate_n and_o judge_n now_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o ezra_n a_o man_n inspire_v by_o god_n will_v set_v up_o such_o governor_n or_o if_o through_o mistake_n he_o shall_v the_o first_o time_n so_o do_v yet_o have_v see_v the_o evil_a of_o it_o he_o will_v be_v more_o wary_a in_o his_o next_o choice_n these_o unjust_a oppress_a governor_n must_v therefore_o be_v suppose_v to_o bear_v rule_n betwixt_o zerubbabels_n time_n and_o ezraes_n and_o if_o so_o then_o can_v we_o think_v with_o doctor_n lightfoot_n the_o time_n shall_v be_v so_o little_a as_o one_o year_n if_o more_o then_o of_o necessity_n must_v darius_n and_o artaxerxes_n be_v two_o distinct_a person_n now_o this_o which_o be_v the_o main_a foundation-stone_n not_o be_v firm_a the_o building_n must_v needs_o be_v weak_a for_o if_o darius_n be_v one_o person_n and_o artaxerxes_n another_o than_o put_v case_n darius_n die_v that_o very_a year_n the_o temple_n be_v finish_v which_o be_v a_o thing_n very_o unlikely_a consider_v he_o crave_v the_o prayer_n of_o god_n people_n unto_o who_o he_o have_v be_v such_o a_o friend_n that_o he_o may_v live_v long_o ezra_n 6.11_o and_o also_o suppose_v artaxerxes_n his_o next_o successor_n yet_o because_o ezraes_n go_v up_o be_v not_o till_o artaxerxes_n seven_o year_n there_o will_v be_v upon_o the_o result_n six_o year_n more_o than_o doctor_n lightfoot_n have_v account_v for_o which_o make_v such_o a_o breach_n in_o his_o build_n as_o can_v be_v make_v up_o again_o 4_o particular_a that_o it_o be_v seventy_o year_n complete_a and_o no_o more_o from_o the_o time_n the_o first_o temple_n be_v destroy_v until_o the_o second_o of_o darius_n when_o the_o build_n of_o the_o second_o be_v advance_v ans_fw-fr this_o opinion_n stand_v upon_o the_o two_o first_o supposition_n viz._n 1._o that_o artaxerxes_n ahasuerus_n be_v cyrus_n next_o successor_n 2._o that_o this_o artaxerxes_n ahasuerus_n reign_v but_o fourteen_o year_n in_o all_o both_o which_o we_o have_v before_o disprove_v it_o fall_v of_o itself_o for_o in_o case_n we_o conceive_v any_o other_o king_n to_o have_v reign_v betwixt_o cyrus_n and_o artaxerxes_n ahasuerus_n or_o conceive_v artaxerxes_n ahasuerus_n to_o have_v reign_v more_o year_n than_o fourteen_o the_o number_n of_o year_n amount_n to_o above_o seventy_o and_o if_o so_o then_z doctor_z lightfoot_n computation_n must_v needs_o be_v amiss_o 5_o particular_a that_o ezra_n be_v son_n to_o that_o serajah_n the_o high_a priest_n who_o nabuchadnezzar_n slay_v at_o the_o time_n the_o first_o temple_n be_v destroy_v which_o doctor_n lightfoot_n prove_v from_o ezraes_n genealogy_n chap._n 7.1_o ans_fw-fr this_o i_o must_v confess_v look_v upon_o it_o one_o way_n it_o seem_v to_o have_v in_o it_o much_o strength_n yet_o look_v upon_o it_o another_o and_o it_o seem_v altogether_o improbable_a for_o according_a to_o this_o reckon_n suppose_v ezra_n to_o be_v bear_v but_o the_o year_n before_o jerusalem_n destruction_n when_o his_o father_n be_v slay_v yet_o must_v we_o as_o say_v doctor_n lightfoot_n himself_o suppose_v he_o fifty_o year_n old_a at_o least_o in_o that_o very_a year_n which_o the_o scripture_n call_v cyrus_n first_o now_o lay_v hereunto_o doctor_n lightfoot_n own_o word_n upon_o nehem._n 13._o which_o be_v these_o ezra_n say_v he_o live_v near_o the_o time_n of_o jaddua_n who_o meet_v alexander_n the_o great_a come_n to_o jerusalem_n for_o he_o write_v the_o book_n of_o chronicle_n in_o the_o time_n of_o johanan_n jadduaes_n father_n nehem._n 12.23_o and_o so_o he_o live_v well_o towards_o the_o expiration_n of_o the_o persian_a monarchy_n now_o let_v we_o lay_v all_o together_o and_o weigh_v the_o whole_a ezra_n be_v fifty_o year_n old_a in_o cyrus_n first_o year_n after_o that_o he_o must_v outlive_v four_o generation_n and_o in_o the_o five_o generation_n write_v the_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n that_o four_o generation_n though_o doctor_n lightfoot_n do_v not_o observe_v it_o do_v pass_v betwixt_o the_o first_o of_o cyrus_n and_o the_o day_n of_o johanan_n jadduaes_n father_n be_v evident_a nehem._n 12.10_o 11._o and_o jeshua_n beget_v jojakim_n jojakim_n also_o beget_v eliashib_n and_o eliashib_n beget_v jojada_n and_o jojada_n beget_v jonathan_n and_o jonathan_n beget_v jaddua_n now_o observe_v jeshua_n be_v high_a priest_n in_o the_o first_o year_n of_o cyrus_n at_o the_o come_n out_o of_o babylon_n ezra_n 3.2_o ezra_n outlive_v he_o there_o be_v one_o generation_n jojakim_n succeed_v he_o there_o be_v a_o second_o eliashib_n him_z there_o be_v a_o three_o jojada_n him_z there_o be_v a_o four_o all_o these_o ezra_n outlive_v and_o in_o the_o five_o generation_n namely_o of_o johanan_n or_o jonathan_n jadduaes_n father_n he_o write_v the_o book_n of_o the_o chronicle_n he_o must_v therefore_o certain_o be_v very_o age_a that_o after_o fifty_o year_n of_o age_n shall_v outlive_v four_o generation_n and_o live_v to_o see_v the_o five_o yet_o this_o do_v ezra_n in_o case_n he_o be_v son_n to_o that_o serajah_n it_o be_v therefore_o iconceive_v much_o better_a to_o say_v that_o that_o serajah_n the_o son_n of_o azariah_n the_o son_n of_o hilkiah_n mention_v ezra_n 7.1_o be_v not_o immediate_a father_n to_o ezra_n but_o rather_o grandfather_n or_o great_a grandfather_n now_o ezra_n come_v out_o of_o his_o loin_n be_v call_v his_o son_n though_o he_o be_v not_o the_o immediate_a son_n or_o next_o issue_n for_o one_o of_o these_o reason_n either_o first_o because_o that_o serajah_n be_v more_o famoussy_a know_v be_v high_a priest_n and_o kill_v at_o the_o sack_n of_o jerusalem_n then_o possible_o ezraes_n next_o father_n be_v and_o therefore_o ezra_n pass_v over_o he_o in_o silence_n and_o begin_v his_o descent_n from_o the_o other_o who_o be_v more_o famous_o know_v or_o second_o because_o that_o serajah_n be_v the_o first_o in_o the_o line_n of_o ezra_n upward_o that_o be_v high_a priest_n for_o though_o other_o do_v come_v betwixt_o ezra_n and_o he_o yet_o be_v none_o of_o they_o high_a priest_n for_o the_o priesthood_n from_o serajah_n go_v on_o in_o another_o line_n not_o that_o of_o ezraes_n father_n but_o that_o of_o jehosadaz_n or_o josedech_n father_n of_o jeshua_n 1_o chron._n 6.14_o 15._o ezraes_n father_n therefore_o though_o he_o come_v of_o the_o house_n of_o aaron_n yet_o because_o he_o be_v not_o of_o aaron_n line_n he_o pass_v he_o over_o begin_v his_o genealogy_n from_o the_o first_o of_o his_o ancestor_n that_o be_v of_o that_o line_n namely_o serajah_n or_o three_o which_o i_o rather_o incline_v to_o because_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a ezraes_n immediate_a father_n be_v also_o name_v serajah_n and_o because_o the_o name_n of_o father_n and_o grandfather_n or_o great_a grandfather_n be_v the_o same_o he_o therefore_o in_o count_v his_o pedigree_n pass_v over_o his_o father_n and_o such_o other_o if_o any_o do_v come_v between_o as_o pass_v betwixt_o he_o and_o serajah_n and_o begin_v as_o i_o have_v say_v from_o he_o now_o a_o like_a example_n to_o this_o we_o have_v in_o the_o very_a text_n ezra_n 7._o if_o we_o compare_v it_o with_o 1_o chron._n 6.4_o to_o 15._o for_o in_o the_o genealogy_n as_o we_o have_v it_o in_o ezra_n we_o find_v betwixt_o shallum_n and_o merarioth_n but_o four_o generation_n viz._n of_o zadok_n of_o ahitub_n of_o amariah_n of_o azariah_n but_o in_o the_o very_a same_o genealogy_n as_o it_o be_v lay_v down_o in_o the_o chronicle_n we_o have_v betwixt_o these_o two_o no_o less_o than_o ten_o generation_n and_o what_o be_v the_o reason_n hereof_o why_o this_o we_o have_v in_o the_o chronicle_n between_o shallum_n and_o merarioth_n two_o zadok_n two_o ahitub_n two_o amariah_n two_o azariah_n now_o ezra_n in_o his_o genealogy_n to_o shun_v repetition_n content_v himself_o with_o name_v each_o one_o and_o then_o leap_v over_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o same_o name_n now_o as_o i_o say_v ezraes_n father_n be_v in_o all_o likelihood_n name_v serajah_n that_o ezra_n may_v not_o come_v over_o with_o the_o same_o name_n twice_o he_o therefore_o omit_v he_o and_o begin_v with_o that_o serajah_n who_o yet_o be_v more_o remote_a carry_v on_o his_o pedigree_n from_o he_o and_o that_o the_o thing_n i_o have_v say_v viz._n that_o ezraes_n father_n be_v name_v serajah_n yet_o not_o serajah_n the_o
very_a thing_n which_o put_v stop_v to_o the_o work_n of_o the_o temple_n for_o it_o seem_v the_o jew_n upon_o the_o change_n that_o now_o be_v in_o the_o empire_n through_o the_o death_n of_o the_o monarch_n that_o be_v have_v by_o virtue_n of_o their_o old_a commission_n from_o cyrus_n set_v upon_o anew_o of_o themselves_o the_o temple-work_n as_o hope_v the_o new_a prince_n will_v favour_v their_o enterprise_n now_o the_o enemy_n see_v this_o dispatch_v away_o letter_n in_o haste_n to_o artaxerxes_n contain_v a_o charge_n against_o the_o jew_n who_o in_o answer_n return_v they_o letter_n with_o a_o strict_a command_n to_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n and_o cause_v the_o work_n to_o cease_v which_o upon_o receipt_n of_o and_o read_v the_o king_n letter_n they_o straightway_o do_v and_o thereupon_o the_o work_n of_o god_n cease_v until_o the_o second_o year_n of_o darius_n ezra_n 4.23_o 24._o it_o be_v therefore_o a_o question_n without_o question_n that_o darius_n be_v successor_n to_o this_o artaxerxes_n as_o he_o be_v predecessor_n to_o the_o other_o some_o other_o therefore_o perceive_v that_o the_o former_a opinion_n will_v not_o agree_v with_o the_o text_n will_v have_v this_o artaxerxes_n to_o be_v cyrus_n son_n and_o next_o successor_n common_o call_v by_o historian_n cambyses_n but_o this_o opinion_n be_v as_o unlikely_a as_o the_o other_o be_v untrue_a as_o i_o have_v prove_v already_o in_o answer_n to_o doctor_n lightfoot_n there_o be_v yet_o another_o opinion_n which_o affirm_v this_o artaxerxes_n to_o be_v smerdis_n magus_n the_o counterfeit_n who_o reign_v seven_o month_n betwixt_o cambyses_n and_o darius_n hystaspes_n but_o certain_o have_v the_o cessation_n of_o the_o work_n of_o the_o house_n of_o god_n be_v for_o no_o long_a time_n than_o be_v give_v to_o it_o by_o this_o opinion_n which_o can_v be_v much_o above_o a_o year_n if_o we_o consider_v that_o smerdis_n as_o themselves_o say_v reign_v but_o seven_o month_n out_o of_o which_o seven_o month_n we_o must_v allow_v some_o time_n for_o the_o news_n of_o cambyses_n death_n be_v bring_v to_o judah_n adversary_n some_o time_n more_o for_o their_o send_v their_o letter_n which_o be_v subscribe_v by_o so_o many_o sundry_a people_n live_v in_o sundry_a place_n as_o verse_n nine_o intimate_v it_o be_v likely_a can_v not_o be_v much_o less_o time_n in_o prepare_v some_o more_o time_n for_o that_o search_n of_o the_o chronicle_n upon_o this_o letter_n vers_fw-la 19_o and_o some_o more_o yet_o for_o the_o king_n answer_n to_o they_o again_o and_o consider_v withal_o that_o darius_n hystaspes_n who_o succeed_v smordis_n do_v according_a to_o their_o principle_n in_o the_o second_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n set_v the_o work_n on_o foot_n again_o the_o whole_a compare_v together_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o the_o work_n can_v not_o cease_v very_o little_o more_o than_o one_o year_n which_o time_n be_v so_o short_a it_o can_v hardly_o be_v think_v that_o the_o scripture_n will_v take_v notice_n of_o it_o much_o less_o with_o such_o a_o emphasis_n set_v such_o a_o mark_n upon_o this_o business_n as_o verse_n last_o then_o cease_v the_o work_n of_o the_o house_n of_o god_n so_o it_o cease_v until_o the_o second_o year_n of_o darius_n none_o that_o read_v the_o word_n can_v think_v the_o cessation_n here_o speak_v of_o be_v only_o a_o twelvemonth_n business_n i_o say_v not_o that_o the_o very_a story_n of_o smerdis_n which_o though_o unto_o mere_a story_n i_o give_v little_a credit_n yet_o be_v the_o adversary_n weapon_n i_o may_v use_v they_o the_o which_o report_v he_o all_o his_o time_n in_o a_o manner_n to_o have_v be_v shut_v up_o in_o his_o chamber_n neither_o dare_v to_o show_v himself_o abroad_o nor_o admit_v any_o to_o come_v to_o he_o gives_z just_a ground_n of_o suspicion_n he_o can_v nor_o be_v this_o artaxerxes_n who_o seem_v by_o what_o be_v record_v of_o he_o in_o this_o chapter_n ezra_n 4._o to_o have_v be_v no_o such_o retire_a person_n but_o of_o a_o more_o public_a life_n but_o to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o this_o variety_n of_o opinion_n i_o take_v it_o the_o text_n itself_o have_v decieed_o the_o controversy_n tell_v we_o plain_o that_o this_o artaxerxes_n be_v no_o other_o than_o ahasuerus_n he_o who_o be_v call_v artaxerxes_n vers_fw-la 7._o be_v call_v ahasuerus_n verse_n 6._o the_o person_n in_o both_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o only_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v first_o make_v mention_n of_o the_o accusation_n of_o judah_n adversary_n in_o the_o general_n with_o a_o declaration_n of_o the_o time_n when_o they_o write_v it_o viz._n in_o the_o begin_n of_o ahasuerus_n reign_n verse_n six_o proceed_v to_o mention_v the_o same_o more_o particular_o with_o the_o name_n of_o the_o person_n that_o write_v it_o and_o a_o copy_n of_o the_o accusation_n itself_o and_o what_o effect_n it_o have_v in_o which_o follow_v discourse_n there_o be_v only_o a_o change_n of_o the_o name_n he_o be_v now_o call_v artaxerxes_n a_o name_n common_a to_o many_o of_o the_o persian_a king_n as_o pharaoh_n be_v to_o the_o egyptian_n who_o have_v before_o be_v call_v ahasuerus_n if_o you_o ask_v what_o ahasuerus_n this_o be_v i_o answer_v the_o same_o in_o all_o likelihood_n that_o we_o read_v of_o throughout_o the_o book_n of_o hester_n for_o setting_z aside_o hester_n story_n we_o do_v not_o read_v of_o the_o name_n ahasuerus_n but_o twice_o in_o all_o the_o bible_n dan._n 9.1_o and_o here_o in_o ezra_n that_o ahasuerus_n daniel_n mention_n can_v be_v hester_n ahasuerus_n for_o that_o ahasuerus_n daniel_n tell_v we_o be_v king_n of_o the_o mede_n only_o hester_n be_v king_n of_o media_n and_o persia_n both_o hester_n 1.3_o 2._o daniel_n ahasuerus_n be_v father_n to_o that_o darius_n who_o together_o with_o cyrus_n take_v babylon_n can_v not_o because_o the_o babylonian_a monarchy_n be_v stand_v in_o his_o day_n and_o possess_v a_o great_a part_n of_o those_o country_n have_v his_o monarchy_n extend_v from_o india_n even_o to_o aethiopia_n over_o one_o hundred_o twenty_o seven_o province_n which_o ahasuerus_n who_o marry_v hester_n have_v ch._n 1.1_o in_o all_o likelihood_n therefore_o we_o read_v of_o no_o other_o of_o that_o name_n this_o ahasuern_v artaxerxes_n ezra_n mention_n be_v the_o very_a same_o with_o he_o we_o read_v of_o in_o hester_n and_o indeed_o the_o apccryphal_a book_n of_o hester_n which_o although_o i_o credit_v not_o as_o scripture_n yet_o may_v the_o same_o credit_n be_v give_v to_o it_o as_o to_o other_o history_n call_v he_o by_o no_o other_o name_n than_o artaxerxes_n who_o in_o hester_n be_v call_v ahasuerus_n so_o that_o it_o seem_v either_o name_n be_v give_v to_o he_o and_o because_o of_o that_o he_o be_v know_v to_o some_o by_o the_o one_o to_o some_o by_o the_o other_o do_v ezra_n give_v he_o both_o first_o calling_z him_z ahasuerus_n than_o artaxerxes_n if_o it_o be_v say_v but_o if_o this_o artaxerxes_n be_v ahasuerus_n in_o hester_n one_o will_v think_v hester_n have_v such_o influence_n upon_o he_o and_o mordecai_n such_o power_n under_o he_o it_o shall_v have_v cause_v that_o the_o work_n of_o the_o temple_n shall_v have_v go_v on_o again_o ans_fw-fr not_o so_o for_o the_o decree_n to_o hinder_v the_o work_n of_o the_o temple_n be_v make_v as_o the_o text_n say_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o reign_n which_o be_v before_o that_o hester_n be_v marry_v to_o he_o now_o a_o decree_n once_o make_v hester_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o business_n of_o haman_n be_v not_o forward_o to_o move_v the_o king_n to_o alter_v his_o decree_n yea_o put_v case_n she_o have_v yet_o be_v it_o a_o custom_n among_o the_o mede_n and_o persian_n not_o to_o repeal_v any_o law_n whilst_o the_o king_n that_o make_v it_o live_v and_o therefore_o ahasuerus_n though_o hester_n beg_v it_o on_o her_o knee_n can_v not_o repeal_v the_o decree_n against_o the_o jew_n only_o by_o another_o decree_n give_v they_o liberty_n to_o stand_v up_o in_o their_o own_o defence_n and_o make_v resistance_n against_o those_o that_o shall_v seek_v their_o life_n so_o that_o i_o say_v the_o law_n once_o make_v it_o be_v not_o a_o easy_a thing_n though_o hester_n be_v great_o in_o the_o king_n favour_n and_o mordecai_n in_o great_a power_n to_o repeal_v it_o whilst_o ahasuerus_n live_v but_o for_o his_o life_n the_o work_n be_v and_o must_v be_v at_o a_o stand_n though_o darius_n after_o he_o which_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o this_o custom_n of_o make_v irrepealable_a law_n be_v bind_v only_o to_o that_o king_n that_o make_v they_o the_o term_n of_o his_o own_o life_n but_o not_o to_o his_o successor_n or_o successor_n do_v repeal_v this_o statute_n and_o by_o a_o contrary_a decree_n set_v the_o work_n on_o foot_n again_o now_o it_o be_v so_o that_o in_o all_o likelihood_n that_o
yet_o take_v he_o at_o some_o time_n when_o he_o be_v in_o his_o best_a mood_n he_o be_v convince_v in_o his_o conscience_n be_v of_o god_n yea_o and_o fear_n maugre_o all_o his_o opposition_n that_o these_o thing_n will_v prove_v his_o undo_n to_o tyrannize_v over_o the_o nation_n by_o continue_v those_o unrighteous_a law_n custom_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v at_o first_o impose_v by_o the_o beast_n that_o by_o these_o he_o may_v like_v a_o imperious_a whore_n sit_v domineer_a upon_o the_o water_n revel_v 17.1.15_o that_o be_v be_v a_o tyrant_n over_o the_o people_n now_o i_o say_v consider_v that_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v in_o be_v unto_o this_o very_a day_n yea_o and_o that_o in_o all_o the_o ten_o horn_n to_o he_o that_o have_v but_o half_a a_o eye_n to_o see_v it_o can_v be_v that_o the_o forty_o two_o month_n the_o one_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o and_o sixty_o day_n which_o be_v the_o limit_a time_n of_o the_o witness_n wear_v sackcloth_n the_o woman_n be_v in_o the_o wilderness_n the_o beast_n rage_n against_o the_o saint_n tread_v under_o foot_n the_o holy_a city_n his_o blaspheme_a god_n and_o his_o truth_n his_o tyranny_n over_o the_o nation_n shall_v be_v begin_v high_a than_o our_o aforesaid_a beginning_n for_o than_o shall_v we_o see_v a_o perfect_a end_n of_o those_o thing_n in_o part_n i.e._n in_o some_o of_o the_o ten_o horn_n at_o least_o which_o yet_o we_o see_v to_o have_v be_v and_o exist_v yea_o to_o be_v maintain_v in_o every_o one_o of_o they_o i_o therefore_o conclude_v that_o the_o forty_o two_o month_n the_o one_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o and_o sixty_o day_n can_v be_v begin_v high_a than_o the_o year_n i_o have_v state_v that_o they_o can_v be_v begin_v low_a be_v clear_a and_o manifest_a because_o it_o be_v a_o monstrous_a absurdity_n to_o say_v that_o all_o the_o beast_n horn_n shall_v spring_v up_o before_o yet_o the_o beast_n be_v bring_v forth_o but_o as_o i_o have_v prove_v at_o large_a in_o the_o foregoing_a discourse_n all_o the_o horn_n be_v come_v forth_o but_o a_o few_o year_n low_a than_o the_o state_v year_n therefore_o must_v the_o time_n of_o the_o beast_n rise_v who_o natural_o have_v be_v before_o his_o horn_n be_v as_o i_o have_v state_v it_o and_o can_v without_o that_o gross_a absurdity_n of_o place_v the_o beast_n after_o his_o horn_n be_v place_v low_a again_o all_o that_o begin_v low_o do_v not_o begin_v from_o the_o time_n of_o antichrist_n infancy_n or_o from_o the_o time_n of_o his_o first_o rise_n which_o none_o can_v or_o do_v deny_v but_o it_o be_v as_o early_o as_o we_o have_v state_v it_o the_o testimony_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_n be_v so_o full_a as_o touch_v the_o wonderful_a defection_n that_o be_v in_o the_o church_n about_o that_o time_n but_o rather_o they_o begin_v from_o the_o time_n of_o his_o growth_n either_o his_o full_a growth_n his_o perfect_a maturity_n or_o his_o growth_n in_o part_n only_o but_o now_o this_o beginning_n be_v express_o against_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o beast_n which_o point_v we_o to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o beast_n first_o rise_v as_o the_o time_n whence_o we_o be_v to_o reckon_v his_o forty_o two_o month_n this_o we_o may_v see_v revel_v 13._o in_o vers_n 5._o it_o be_v say_v power_n be_v give_v to_o he_o to_o continue_v forty_o two_o month_n whence_o be_v we_o to_o reckon_v these_o forty_o two_o month_n ans_fw-fr from_o the_o day_n he_o first_o receive_v his_o power_n and_o authority_n from_o the_o dragon_n vers_fw-la 2._o the_o dragon_n give_v he_o his_o power_n and_o his_o seat_n and_o great_a authority_n and_o when_o be_v that_o ans_fw-fr at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o first_o rise_n vers_n 1._o i_o see_v a_o beast_n rise_v up_o out_o of_o the_o sea_n have_v seven_o head_n and_o ten_o horn_n and_o the_o dragon_n give_v he_o his_o power_n etc._n etc._n far_o let_v it_o be_v consider_v that_o the_o second_o beast_n or_o the_o ecclesiastical_a state_n of_o antichrist_n be_v set_v forth_o under_o a_o threefold_a representation_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n suitable_a to_o his_o threefold_a state_n viz._n of_o infancy_n maturity_n old_a age._n 1_o in_o his_o infant_n state_n he_o be_v a_o poor_a despicable_a beast_n creep_v out_o of_o the_o earth_n but_o not_o able_a as_o yet_o to_o make_v the_o nation_n crouch_v to_o he_o and_o therefore_o he_o borrow_v the_o power_n of_o the_o first_o beast_n i.e._n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n thereby_o to_o carry_v on_o his_o own_o design_n rev._n 13.11_o 12._o 2_o in_o his_o mature_a state_n the_o beast_n sit_v as_o a_o rich_a proud_a imperious_a whore_n upon_o the_o nation_n revel_v 17.1_o compare_v with_o 15._o and_o ride_v upon_o the_o back_n of_o the_o first_o beast_n or_o the_o magistraticall_a power_n of_o nation_n ver_fw-la 3._o rule_v they_o and_o the_o nation_n under_o they_o make_v they_o do_v even_o what_o this_o beast_n list_n 3_o in_o his_o decline_a state_n or_o old_a age_n he_o be_v a_o false_a prophet_n i.e._n he_o counterfeit_v abundance_n of_o holiness_n more_o than_o indeed_o he_o have_v or_o ever_o before_o profess_v the_o reason_n where_o of_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o first_o beast_n through_o his_o long_a ride_v and_o gall_v of_o he_o now_o begin_v to_o kick_v and_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n endure_v his_o rider_n any_o long_o the_o nation_n begin_v to_o see_v that_o this_o beast_n be_v not_o indeed_o as_o they_o have_v be_v all_o along_o hold_v in_o hand_n and_o make_v believe_v the_o woman_n the_o true_a church_n but_o a_o very_a strumpet_n that_o by_o whore_v and_o juggle_n have_v in_o all_o age_n make_v herself_o rich_a persecute_v the_o saint_n enslave_v they_o this_o make_v the_o nation_n begin_v to_o spurn_v likewise_o at_o this_o beast_n this_o beast_n now_o fear_v a_o downfall_n and_o know_v full_a well_o that_o if_o there_o be_v not_o some_o way_n find_v out_o to_o keep_v up_o his_o esteem_n with_o the_o first_o beast_n and_o the_o nation_n he_o be_v undo_v he_o proteus-like_a for_o indeed_o he_o be_v a_o monster_n never_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o world_n till_o antichrist_n kingdom_n begin_v change_v shape_n and_o as_o at_o first_o of_o a_o poor_a ragged_a beast_n become_v opportunity_n serve_v he_o a_o proud_a whore_n so_o now_o the_o beast_n when_o he_o can_v be_v a_o roll_a command_a whore_n no_o long_o transform_v himself_o into_o a_o false_a prophet_n pretend_v abundance_n of_o holiness_n that_o hereby_o he_o may_v keep_v up_o that_o esteem_n still_o with_o the_o first_o beast_n and_o the_o nation_n which_o once_o he_o have_v but_o have_v wellnigh_o lose_v through_o his_o domineer_a pride_n and_o imperiousness_n this_o be_v the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o second_o beast_n or_o of_o antichrist_n as_o consider_v in_o his_o ecclesiastical_a state_n throughout_o the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n and_o of_o this_o i_o have_v more_o full_o treat_v in_o my_o discourse_n upon_o the_o vial_n p._n 101._o to_o the_o 112._o now_o observe_v those_o who_o begin_v the_o kingdom_n of_o antichrist_n from_o the_o time_n of_o antichrist_n growth_n or_o maturity_n leave_v out_o the_o first_o state_n of_o the_o second_o beast_n and_o begin_v their_o account_n with_o his_o second_o which_o certain_o we_o must_v not_o do_v but_o must_v carry_v our_o beginning_n so_o high_a as_o to_o take_v in_o all_o the_o three_o as_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v lay_v they_o down_o i_o therefore_o conclude_v that_o we_o may_v not_o begin_v low_o than_o the_o aforesaid_a year_n three_o hundred_o ninety_o six_o see_v therefore_o that_o we_o may_v not_o begin_v either_o high_a or_o low_o it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o we_o must_v begin_v with_o the_o year_n we_o have_v fix_v upon_o viz._n three_o hundred_o ninety_o six_o to_o which_o number_n add_v one_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o and_o sixty_o the_o whole_a make_v up_o one_o thousand_o six_o hundred_o fifty_o six_o the_o result_n of_o my_o whole_a discourse_n in_o this_o second_o part_n be_v that_o the_o utmost_a period_n of_o the_o beast_n continuance_n the_o tread_v under_o foot_n the_o holy_a city_n the_o woman_n be_v in_o the_o wilderness_n the_o witness_n prophesy_v in_o sackcloth_n all_o which_o thing_n be_v concurrent_a will_v in_o great_a probability_n be_v anno_fw-la dom._n one_o thousand_o six_o hundred_o fifty_o six_o thus_o johns_n one_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o and_o sixty_o day_n expire_v in_o the_o same_o year_n with_o daniel_n one_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o and_o ninety_o thus_o likewise_o in_o that_o very_a year_n in_o which_o from_o the_o creation_n the_o flood_n come_v upon_o the_o corrupt_a old_a world_n in_o that_o very_a year_n from_o our_o redemption_n come_v the_o flood_n of_o god_n wrath_n upon_o the_o idolatrous_a antichristian_a world_n the_o end_n of_o
part_n and_o therefore_o the_o time_n of_o the_o restitution_n thereof_o be_v to_o be_v reckon_v from_o the_o time_n that_o the_o temple_n be_v build_v but_o by_o jerusalem_n be_v understand_v the_o external_a building_n and_o wall_n of_o the_o city_n which_o be_v not_o restore_v till_o some_o time_n after_o the_o temple_n &_o sanctuary_n be_v finish_v daniel_n week_n p._n 3._o as_o the_o treatise_n be_v print_v by_o itself_o as_o it_o be_v print_v with_o his_o whole_a work_n the_o page_n be_v different_a to_o speak_v more_o plain_o to_o the_o reader_n capacity_n mr._n mede_n opinion_n be_v this_o that_o the_o seventy_o week_n be_v one_o epock_n and_o the_o sixty_o two_o week_n another_o be_v a_o lesser_a period_n of_o time_n comprehend_v within_o the_o seventy_o who_o beginning_n as_o he_o say_v page_n 10._o be_v to_o be_v after_o the_o seventy_o be_v begin_v and_o the_o end_n before_o they_o shall_v be_v end_v and_o as_o he_o make_v the_o seventy_o week_n to_o begin_v from_o the_o perfect_a the_o work_n of_o the_o temple_n in_o the_o six_o year_n of_o darius_n nothus_fw-la as_o be_v his_o opinion_n and_o to_o end_v with_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n so_o do_v he_o the_o sixty_o two_o week_n to_o begin_v from_o the_o seven_o year_n of_o artaxerxes_n when_o ezra_n have_v commission_n to_o cause_n to_o return_v and_o carry_v with_o he_o as_o many_o of_o the_o jew_n as_o he_o will_v to_o jerusalem_n ezra_n 7.7.13_o and_o also_o from_o the_o twenty_o year_n of_o the_o same_o artaxerxes_n when_o nehemiah_n obtain_v leave_v to_o build_v jerusalem_n nehem._n 2._o and_o to_o end_v with_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n only_o he_o make_v a_o difference_n betwixt_o solar_a year_n and_o lunar_a reckon_v sixty_o two_o solar_a year_n from_o the_o time_n of_o ezraes_n go_v up_o to_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n but_o sixty_o two_o lunar_a from_o nehemiah_n sixty_o two_o week_n or_o four_o hundred_o thirty_o four_o lunar_a year_n be_v as_o he_o say_v so_o many_o less_o than_o so_o many_o solar_a as_o there_o be_v year_n betwixt_o the_o seven_o and_o twenty_o of_o artaxerxes_n p._n 21._o and_o to_o this_o latter_a beginning_n he_o make_v the_o command_n to_o build_v jerusalem_n to_o refer_v and_o not_o to_o the_o former_a this_o be_v the_o full_a of_o mr._n mede_n opinion_n which_o with_o what_o clearness_n i_o be_o able_a i_o have_v set_v forth_o and_o now_o must_v say_v though_o i_o high_o honour_v the_o author_n and_o his_o judgement_n in_o many_o thing_n yet_o in_o this_o particular_a can_v i_o close_v with_o he_o my_o reason_n be_v 1_o because_o the_o concurrence_n of_o the_o two_o thousand_o three_o hundred_o day_n in_o their_o end_n with_o the_o one_o thousand_o three_o hundred_o thirty_o five_o the_o one_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o and_o sixty_o day_n with_o the_o one_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o and_o ninety_o both_v which_o stand_v upon_o firm_a scripture-ground_n be_v absolute_o destroy_v by_o this_o opinion_n of_o the_o seventy_o week_n 2_o because_o mr._n mede_n great_a and_o only_a reason_n induce_v he_o to_o this_o computation_n be_v weak_a uncertain_a without_o scripture-ground_n yea_o destructive_a to_o scripture-principle_n his_o reason_n be_v to_o reconcile_v humane_a history_n and_o daniel_n seventy_o week_n now_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v do_v yet_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n the_o reason_n be_v weak_a and_o as_o good_a as_o nothing_o because_o the_o foundation_n be_v humane_a history_n which_o be_v no_o ground_n of_o my_o faith_n 2_o it_o be_v uncertain_a because_o humane_a computation_n be_v different_a and_o in_o thing_n different_a a_o choice_n can_v be_v make_v without_o some_o other_o rule_n to_o guide_v the_o choice_n 3_o it_o be_v without_o scripture-ground_n because_o first_o scripture_n have_v no_o where_o tell_v we_o that_o we_o shall_v make_v bare_a humane_a report_n the_o ground_n of_o our_o faith_n but_o manifest_o the_o contrary_a second_o no_o other_o gross_a sum_n in_o the_o whole_a scripture_n do_v enforce_v the_o beginning_n and_o end_v of_o the_o seventy_o week_n to_o be_v as_o mr._n mede_n have_v state_v it_o which_o can_v that_o be_v make_v out_o it_o must_v then_o be_v grant_v that_o mr._n mede_n have_v reason_n sufficient_a to_o adhere_v to_o the_o report_n of_o those_o he_o follow_v rather_o than_o of_o other_o who_o in_o compute_v the_o same_o time_n differ_v in_o their_o account_n and_o consequent_o he_o shall_v have_v though_o not_o a_o particular_a yet_o a_o general_a scripture-ground_n but_o his_o opinion_n have_v neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o have_v no_o scripture-ground_n at_o all_o 4_o it_o be_v destructive_a to_o other_o scripture-principlos_a viz._n those_o principle_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o our_o first_o reason_n 3_o because_o mr._n mede_n distinction_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o his_o whole_a opinion_n be_v unsound_a yea_o if_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o be_v thorough_o weigh_v there_o be_v enough_o in_o the_o thing_n itself_o to_o overthrow_v the_o whole_a building_n for_o whereas_o mr._n mede_n will_v put_v a_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o holy_a city_n and_o jerusalem_n make_v the_o beginning_n of_o the_o holy_a city_n to_o be_v from_o the_o time_n the_o temple_n be_v finish_v but_o the_o begin_n of_o jerusalem_n not_o to_o be_v till_o afterward_o let_v it_o in_o answer_n thereunto_o be_v consider_v that_o although_o the_o temple_n when_o speak_v of_o alone_a be_v call_v the_o holy_a place_n yet_o be_v it_o never_o call_v the_o holy_a city_n but_o with_o a_o reference_n still_o to_o jerusalem_n as_o the_o city_n jerusalem_n be_v no_o otherwise_o say_v to_o be_v holy_a but_o as_o it_o have_v reference_n to_o the_o temple_n the_o only_a place_n of_o god_n worship_n be_v there_o fix_v so_o can_v the_o temple_n the_o place_n of_o god_n holiness_n be_v call_v a_o holy_a city_n any_o otherwise_o then_o as_o it_o have_v reference_n to_o the_o city_n jerusalem_n join_v to_o it_o both_o compact_a together_o make_v up_o the_o holy_a city_n either_o claim_v a_o share_n in_o the_o name_n that_o it_o be_v holy_a be_v from_o the_o temple_n that_o a_o city_n from_o jerusalem_n that_o a_o holy_a city_n from_o both_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v observable_a as_o jerusalem_n be_v never_o in_o any_o other_o scripture_n call_v unless_o in_o a_o prophetical_a way_n of_o what_o shall_v be_v for_o future_a the_o holy_a city_n but_o still_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o temple_n fix_v in_o it_o so_o do_v we_o not_o find_v in_o all_o ezra_n which_o book_n relate_v to_o the_o time_n we_o be_v upon_o so_o much_o as_o once_o mention_v make_v of_o the_o holy_a city_n till_o afterward_o in_o the_o day_n of_o nehemiah_n chap._n 11.1.18_o which_o be_v after_o jerusalem_n be_v build_v and_o city_n and_o temple_n now_o again_o stand_v together_o yea_o whereas_o the_o angel_n say_v to_o daniel_n seventy_o week_n be_v determine_v upon_o thy_o holy_a city_n what_o city_n do_v he_o mean_v but_o that_o city_n daniel_n have_v be_v pray_v for_o which_o be_v not_o the_o temple_n only_o but_o jerusalem_n with_o its_o temple_n both_o together_o now_o see_v that_o seventy_o week_n be_v determine_v upon_o the_o holy_a city_n and_o the_o holy_a city_n can_v be_v so_o call_v from_o the_o temple_n only_o but_o temple_n and_o city_n together_o it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o beginning_n of_o the_o seventy_o week_n but_o what_o be_v fetch_v from_o the_o time_n when_o temple_n and_o city_n be_v again_o join_v together_o so_o make_v up_o the_o holy_a city_n daniel_n holy_a city_n nor_o can_v the_o duration_n of_o the_o seventy_o week_n be_v any_o long_a than_o jerusalem_n stand_v with_o its_o temple_n in_o it_o own_v by_o god_n for_o the_o place_n of_o his_o worship_n which_o as_o it_o cut_v off_o both_o mr._n mede_n beginning_n and_o end_v of_o his_o seventy_o week_n who_o begin_v before_o the_o city_n be_v build_v and_o end_v many_o year_n after_o god_n have_v reject_v the_o temple_n as_o the_o place_n of_o his_o worship_n so_o be_v it_o a_o strong_a argument_n against_o any_o beginning_n whatsoever_o that_o shall_v begin_v the_o seventy_o week_n any_o time_n before_o city_n and_o temple_n stand_v together_o or_o end_v that_o shall_v end_v they_o any_o time_n after_o god_n have_v reject_v the_o temple_n as_o the_o place_n of_o his_o worship_n 4_o because_o mr._n mede_n begin_v of_o the_o seventy_o week_n take_v the_o same_o naked_o in_o itself_o and_o out_o forego_v argument_n set_v aside_o appear_v improbable_a for_o he_o begin_v with_o the_o six_o of_o darius_n nothus_fw-la the_o king_n under_o who_o as_o he_o suppose_v the_o temple-work_n be_v advance_v in_o his_o second_o year_n and_o finish_v in_o his_o six_o but_o how_o improbable_a be_v this_o that_o darius_n nothus_fw-la shall_v be_v the_o