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
bring Christ neer to the Ancient of days by the importunity of prayers for the obtaining of the Kingdom and removal of it from the Beast 5. Hereupon dominion is given unto him and glory To him that is to Christ and to his Saints Vers 26 27. This kingdom beginneth with the beginning of the fall of Antichrist and with the setting up of the Thrones of Judgement as appeareth Vers 21 22 26 27 and is absolved in heavenly perfection at the Resurrection immediately ensuing 6 The greatnesse of his kingdom is signified in these words that all people nations and languages should serve him Hereby is signified the Universal Conversion of the remnant of the earth who at the fall of Antichrist shall be subject to Christ and his Ordinances in the hand of his holy people the Witnesses of Truth for which cause they are also said to be subject to them Verse 26 27. Isai 60.10 12. All that shall withdraw their necks from such subjection shall be destroyed Dan. 12.12 And this is the first state or rising of new Jerusalem the space of Fourty five yeers before its compleating in the Resurrection which state is especially described by all the Prophets as also the first states of all other changes as of the Greeks in four horns Dan. 8 of the ten horns Chap. 7 of the Turkish four Angels Rev. 9 of the Waldensian professors all which states are specially described as being the original of the changes 7. The Duration of the kingdom is signified in the next words His deminion is an everlasting dominion which shall not passe away and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed The third Vision or Prophecie of Daniel Chap. 8. The Controversal Part. ABout the precedent Beasts and horns described in the Vision there is no Controversie and therefore I descend unto the little horn which hath been hitherto for ought I know according to the letter expounded of Antiochus Epiphanes But that it is not so to be expounded I prove by these Arguments 1. The little horn that magnified himself unto the South and East and pleasant Land is by parallel comparison the same little horn that rooted out the three Chap. 7.8 Now that little horn as it is most evident is Antichrist or the Pope of Rome belonging to the Romane kingdom and therefore cannot be Antiochus 2. This little horn ariseth when the transgressors shall come to the full and in the end of the Grecian Empire Chap. 8.23 whereas Antiochus was in the midst and far from the time of the great and full degree of the transgressors 3. The horn here spoken of is in respect of his beginnings called a little horn whereas Antiochus was not so lowe at first as to be called a little horn For to use the words of judicious Graserus de Antich p. 76. Antiochus in respect of his Parentage and Condition of Fortune which he had thereby was so great even from his Infancy that then in the world known unto us there was scarce another to be compared with him being the undoubted son of Antiochus the great and after Seleucus Philopater his elder brother right Heir of the kingdoms of Asia Babylon and Syria 4. Because this horn is said to wax very great in comparison of the former horns Verse 9 whereas Antiochus although he was great from his beginning yet did not attain unto a condition greater then his fathers Concerning which let the words of Graserus be observed proceeding in the place before alleadged He never had full possession of the whole kingdom of his father Antiochus the great which he possessed before the Romane War the sinews of War also failed him not once And as for that which Junius alleadgeth concerning his taking of Egypt if that were true yet it would little help his cause seeing it is manifest that his father Antiochus did not lesse exploits against Egypt Indeed Antiochus Epiphanes did the second time invade Egypt but with such a successe that he got more dishonour then honour thereby Neither in other Wars was he so happie and fortunate that therein he might be so far preferred above his Ancestors In sum Antiochus Epiphanes had little or nothing more then the meaner sort of the Kings of Syria Thus far Graserus 5. How did Antiochus Epiphanes so excellently magnifie himself unto the South and to the East and to the pleasant Land How unto the East forasmuch as he was ignominiously put to flight and expelled out of Persia in the East by the Citizens of Elemais How against the South seeing in both his Expeditions against Egypt Noutler Cron. he was at last shamefully repulfed the first time by the Captains of Ptolomaeus the second time by the Ambassadour Popilius And how unto the pleasant Land forasmuch as after his Intestine cruelty on the Jews his Princes and Armies were in Judea overthrown and put to flight by the Jews and their Captain Judas Maccabaus 6. The acts of this little horn are extended to the time of the end Vers 17 and of the last wrath Vers 19 whereas Antiochus Epiphanes died long before the Birth of Christ 7. In the judgement of a learned Author the Two thousand three hundred days mentioned Vers 14 are unappliable to Antiochus Epiphanes And Pererius sheweth out of the first Book of Maccabees that Antiochus his Persecutions began in the yeer of the Grecian kingdom 143 and ended in the yeer 148 1 Mac. 1.21.22 and 4.41 52. Perer. in Dan. pag. 509 510. which could not be longer then six full yeers and therefore it cannot fill up exactly the measure of Two thousand three hundred days which space containeth six yeers three months and twenty days For the three moneths and twenty days would overabound Pererius to salve this difficulty saith that the yeers Two thousand three hundred may be extended to the death of Antiochus which was in the next yeer following But according to the words of Daniel and the drift of the interpretation of the authors of this opinion the foresaid yeers Two thousand three hundred must not end in the death of Antiochus although if they should yet the difficulty of exact accommodation would still remain but in the cessation of persecution and calamity of the Church and in the purgation of the Sanctuary Vers 13 14 which being referred to the Jews in the time of Antiochus came to passe exactly in the yeer of the Greek Empire One hundred fourty eight as hath been said and cannot be extended to the yeer following Having shewed that this little horn is not Antiochus Epiphanes now I will adde a few Arguments to prove that it is Antichrist or the Pope of Rome First because it is described in a parallel description with the little horn Chap. 7.8 which must of necessity be Antichrist as hath been proved Secondly because it is a general and constant Apostacie and in the time of the end which is said under this little horn to come to passe Vers 12.17 19
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
North for he is brought in with a fair transition thus At that time many shall stand up against the K. of the South a time described to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the end of times yeers A phrase arguing a fatal time of change and alteration Verse 13. Secondly Because the passages in the Verses following will not in any propriety agree to the Lagidae and Seleucidae And in particular it cannot be shewed according to Verse 14. how many stood up against the King of the South in Antiochus the Great otherwise then before Some affirm it is so said because Philip King of Macedon made a Covenant with Antiochus But he was not able to defend himself against the Romans And moreover the Prophet speaketh of such a standing up of many as was successeful to the overthrowing of the South Judea first and afterwards of Egypt Others affirm it is so said because the Jews did joyn themselves to the succour of Antiochus Joseph Anti. lib. 12. cap. 3. But Josephus there affirmeth that Judea was variously caught up sometimes for the one side sometimes for the other Besides it is against Judea and against the Jews and the Egyptians against whom many are affirmed to stand up Verse 15 16 17. Thirdly How shall that be verified of the time of Antiochus the Great that the robbers of the Jews did stand up to establish the Vision but fell What were these robbers What is the Vision which they did establish How did they fall in the time of Antiochus Some say they were those that followed Onias into Egypt to build a Temple there Jos Ant. l. 13. c. 6. de bello Jud. l. 7. c. 30. to establish that Prophecy which is written Isai 19.19 But how were these robbers How was this done in the dayes of Antiochus Magnus which Josephus affirmeth to have been done in the dayes of Ptolemaeus Philometer after him 〈◊〉 And how did they fall in the time of Antiochus forasmuch as this wickednesse of the Jews was not punished until two hundred and fifty yeers after Bulling in Dan. 11.14 Others say that these robbers are those Jews which Antiochus took off I finde no History shewing such a kinde of such Jews as is here spoken off and at this time Junius Rolloc Piscator But how to establish the Vision That is they say to verifie this present Vision that prophecieth thereof But so these words might have equally been affixed to any other part of this or other Prophecies For all are indifferently written to be verified Besides an end so common and general seemeth not needful to have been mentioned especially in such a Prophecy so admirably compacted of the chief heads of substantial events Junius turneth the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to another and strange sense as if it should signifie to make the Vision to stand that is to hinder it For which Interpretation of the Hebrew phrase I see no probability in respect of the circumstances of this place Fourthly I finde not in History such a destruction of the Jews to have been made by Antiochus Magnus as is here imported in these words but they shall fall Verse 14 and Verse 16. he shall stand in the pleasant land which by his hand shall be consumed For this is the proper and ordinary sense of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as appeareth Dan. 9.27 and 11.36 Besides the Jews voluntarily yeilded themselves unto Antiochus and therefore he prosecuted them with great favours and liberty of Religion Jos Ant. fid l. 12. c. 3. So far was he from causing them to fall by utter ruine as the word doth signifie Isai 8.15 or from consuming them by utter destruction Concerning this Antiochus Perer. in Dan. 8. observe the words of Pererius utterly overthrowing the foresaid Exposition Antiochus Magnus saith he never hated or persecuted the Jews never used them uncourteously afflicted them not with any destruction or calamity Fifthly So great a preparation such sieges such hostile wars against the Jews and Judea as are described Vers 15 16. are not appliable to Antiochus Magnus to whom the Jews did voluntarily yeeld themselves as to a kinde and courteous Governour and Protectour of them Neither such a power is competible unto him as is altogether irresistible proposed in such phrases Verse 15 16. as are given to irresistible Conquerours As to Cyrus Chap. 8.4 to Alexander Chap. 11.4 to Antichrist Chap. 11.36 For Antiochus got and lost got and lost by course Neither like a floud did he over-run the Dominions of the King of the South but some parts onely The phrases here proposed seem greater and of an higher strain then any formerly given to the greatest Conquerours Sixthly It is not sufficiently declared how upright or just or favourable men were with Antiochus and for what end and how he gave his daughter to destroy or corrupt her how she was the daughter of women how he took many in the Isles of the Sea how he so fell that he was found no more how the remover of the oppressour came into his place Vers 17 18 19 20. The application of these passages to Antiochus cannot but seem strained and forced to a tender impartial and advised judgement Seventhly The passages here attributed to the King of the North cannot possibly but be directed to the Roman Empire As that the Jews exalted or lifted up themselves in Rebellion against it thinking thereby to establish and bring to effect the Vision of the Prophets That they fell in utter and consuming destruction as the phrases do import No other King of the North besides the Romans did after the time of Daniel bring an utter desolation on the Jews and on their Land All the other passages also in the Verses following will most congruously agree to the Roman Empire as may be seen in the Explication Eightly Antichrist or the Pope of Rome is so plainly and so punctually described from the 21 Verse downward that it cannot be called into question by him that seriously and judiciously considereth it Now the course order and succession of the changes of the world being shewed here to Daniel from the Persian Monarchy to the last time It was meet and congruous that before the description of Antichrist the Roman Empire should be described as which brought in the greatest and most famous changes that ever were before And if it be prefixed before Antichrist then must it here begin at the 14. Verse or else I see not what place can possibly be found for it Ninthly In the other Prophecies and Visions of Daniel the Empire of Rome is described represented by the Iron legs Chap. 2.40 And by the fourth Beast with Iron teeth Chap. 7.7 8. As Iron breaking all in pieces and devouring the whole Earth Now if in these Visions it is described and as a most notable part therein How much more in this Vision the greatest largest noblest of all the rest Besides in those other Prophecies the Roman Empire is
yeers after Christ shall cause his reproach That is whereby the Heathen Emperours of Rome did reproach Christ and his Church for three hundred yeers even to extreme cruelty and persecution So is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 used Zeph. 2.8 Hos 12.14 Psal 89 50 51 52. Ezek. 36.3 4 5 6 7. signifying actively and with concurrence of cruel persecution to cease from him That is shall cause it to cease from the Roman Heathen Emperour so that he shall persecute the Church no more by reproachful insultations conjoyned with mercilesse destructions besides his reproach which he shall render unto him again See Annot. Piscat That is Constantine shall not onely cause the reproach whereby the Heathen Emperour reproached Christ to cease from him but also shall recompence his reproach by an utter overthrow See Hos 12.14 Nah. 1.9 The universal fall of the Roman Empire Verse 19. ANd he shall turn his face to the forts of his own land That is to the defence of his own Land the Roman Empire against hostile invasion For after the exaltation of Christians by the overthrow of Heathens through ease and prosperity they soon degenerated into errour and superstition Whereupon enemies oppugning the Empire upon all sides the Christian Emperour was wholly busied in defence of the Roman Kingdom especially from after the yeer 365. and 395. but he shall stumble and fall and shall not be found For being oppugned by innumerable enemies called the Northern Barbarians he stumbled first from after the yeer 337. to 410. then he fell from 410. to 576. and then and afterward was found no more the Barbariaus having then risen as a flood over all the Western Empire Sect. 5. Concerning the Remover of the Oppressour Verse 20. The controversal part COncerning the next Successor of the Roman Emperour described Verse 20. The common opinion is that he is Seleucus Philopator In which accommodation I require satisfaction from the Authours in these particulars 1. What reason or ground they can shew why the glory of the Kingdom should be especially attributed unto him Being rather meaner and baser then his Predecessours 2. Why 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should be translated a raiser of Taxes especially without the addition of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the like 3. If so Why Seleucus Philopator should be the onely raiser of Taxes mentioned among the Kings of Syria 4. How he was destroyed or broken down but neither in wrath neither in battle but by the peaceable machinations and flatteries of his Successour As it is expressed in the next Verse Contrarily I affirm That this Successour is Justinian with his followers 1. Because these succeeded into the place of the Emperours of the West described immediately before 2. Because they rose immediately before the publike manifestation of Antichrist described in the Verse next following 3. Because in them came in a succession in the glory of the Kingdom 4. Because these were properly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Removers of the Oppressour Forasmuch as they removed expelled and subdued the Barbarians which had invaded and oppressed the Empire on all parts 5. Because these were properly broken down not fundamentally in wrath or in battle but by the peaceable Arts machinations and flatteries of Antichrist 6. Because by parallel proportion it was meet That as these being the swallowers up of the Barbarian flood are prefixed immediately before Antichrist in the Revelation So also in Daniel they should be proposed in this Verse immediately before Antichrist described in the next Apoc. 12.13 14 15 16 17. and 13.1 The second part containing the Explication Verse 20. THen shall stand in his place That is in the place of the Western Emperour the remover of the oppressour So properly signifieth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This phrase I confesse is commonly translated one that shall raise taxes But I rather judge that the phrase doth signifie one that shall remove or take away the oppressour For if it were to be understood in the former sense it would have been thus expressed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one that causeth the exactour to passe over his land or people as Zach. 9.5 For otherwise the Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being absolutely used as in this place that is without restraint or determination unto any term by or over which or unto which the passage is made doth properly signifie to passe away And in Hiphil to cause to passe away that is to remove I instance in these Scriptures 1 King 22.24 When went the Spirit of the Lord from me Cant. 2.11 For lo the winter is past Cant. 5.6 My beloved had withdrawn himself and was gone Jere. 8.20 The harvest is past and gone Thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Proportionately 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the conjugation in which it is used in this place being likewise absolutely and indeterminately applyed doth properly signifie to make or cause to passe away or to remove 2 Sam. 12.13 God hath put away or taken away thy sin Zech. 3.4 Behold I have caused thy iniquity to passe away from thee Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 joyned here with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is I have removed 2 Sam. 24.10 Take away my iniquity Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Esther 8.3 Esther besought the King to out away the mischeif of Haman Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zech. 13.2 I will cause the unclean spirit to passe away out of the Land See also Psal 119.37 39. Eccles 11.10 2 Chron. 15.8 c. As for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it signifieth in a special use one that extorteth or exacteth money or tribute to the grievance of a person 2 King 23.35 Zech. 10.4 And one that useth extremity in exacting debts Deut. 15.2 3. Isai 58.3 Moreover generally it is applyed also to signifie an oppressour such as the Taskmasters Exod. 5.6 10 14. and 3.7 And such as the Babylonians and Philistines were to Israel 1 Sam. 13.6 and 14.24 Isai 9.4 and 14.2 Job 3.17 Zech. 9.5 and such as the Jews were to Christ. Isa 53.7 Wherefore I conclude that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth properly signifie one that removeth or causeth such in oppressour to passe away Now to return to the matter The oppressour was the Barbarians whereby the Roman Empire was overthrown and oppressed as in the former Verse The remover of this oppressour began in Justinian the Greek Emperour who brake down the Gothes and Vandals by the yeer 556. From which time forward the Empire stood renewed and restored in some degree until the time of Charls the Great by whom was brought in a second restauration more perfect general and lasting then the former from after the yeer 768. in the glory of the Kingdom That is in the similitude of the ancient glory of the Roman Empire after it had been long and greatly defaced by the Barbarians Or he may be said to stand up in the glory of the Kingdom in opposition
more said of the Roman Empire then the Prophecy of the Roman Empire should be begun and not ended Antichrist not mentioned the end of the Turk proposed not of the Roman Empire and this Prophecy should be unproportionable to all other which speak especially of Antichrist and of his end Sect. 13. That the King whose Wars are described v. 40. is Antichrist I prove by these Arguments following 1. BEcause the History of Antichrist being so largely set down before it is consonant that his end should also be set down the causes manner fore-runners of it which would not be unlesse the Expeditions following belonged unto Antichrist 2. The Expeditions following are in revenge of the push inferred by the King of the South and therefore they belong to him that was pushed at by him which is Antichrist immediately spoken of before 3. The Author of these Expeditions is the King of the North and the King of the North before mentioned is Antichrist as appeareth by comparing v 15.20 21 25 36. c. 8.9 4. It is not probable that it should be said that the King of the South should push at Antichrist and no more added of his war a diversion following to the History of the Turks 5. The Expeditions here spoken of are in the time of the end v. 40. when the standing up of Michael is at hand c. 12.11 and what are those famous wars in the time of the end those great last attempts against the Church v. 44 c. spoken of in other Prophecies but those that are attributed to Antichrist 6. The fall and last wars of Antichrist are more notable and more needfull to be known then the wars and downfall of any other King and therefore it is not likely that the last war and downfall of another King should be here described and Antichrists pretermitted 7. Daniel in all his other Visions and Prophecies doth exactly and accurately set down the fall of Antichrist c. 2. c. 7. c. 8. c. 9. and therefore it is not likely that in this Prophecy being the largest and exactest of all the rest he would conceal it which yet he should conceal if these Expeditions were not his 8. His end vers 45. and the end of his wonders c. 12.5 is at the end of a time two times and a half c. 12.5 7. which is the term of Antichrist his raign as appeareth c. 7.25 with Apoc. 12.14 and 13.5 6. Sect. 14. The other part containing the Exposition of v. 36. and downward to the end of the Chapter FRom v. 36. to v. 41. Graserus hath expounded this Prophecy of Antichrist with whom I do consent for the greatest part But afterwards he turneth to Allegories far fetcht remote and unnaturall to this Prophecy of Daniel For in all the Prophecy foregoing no such course hath been observed But I conceive there will be no need to flye to such uncouth Interpretations for the cleering of the Prophecy as shall appear in the Processe of the Exposition Of the Characters of Antichrist Vers 36. And the King that is Antichrist spoken of before shall do what him list arrogating power above Law contrary to Law beyond Law 2 Thess 2 3 7. Dan. 7.25 and shall exalt himself and magnifie himself contrary to Christ who humbled himself Phil. 2.7 8. above every god that is all that is called god Kings and Magistrates 2 Thess 2.3 Joh. 10.35 Psal 82.6 and he shall speak that is Magistrally Doctorally as an independent Law-maker in things spirituall marvellous things That is Errors of an high nature against the Offices and Worship of the Son of God with great pride and presumption and in a marvellous strain of Scholasticall profundity See c. 7 8 25. c. 8.23 24 25. 2 Pet. 2.8 Jude 16. Apoc. 13.5 1 Tim. 4.5 against the God of Gods Christ Michael the Prince of Princes c. 12.1 and 8.11 25. Apoc. 1.5 and 17.14 Psa 89.27 How this is done is declared Verse 31 37 38 39. c. 8.11 12. and 7.25 by nullifying his offices removing his Laws Worship setting up his own devices and abominations and shall prosper As c. 8.11 12 24. whereby is noted a continuation with prosperous successe in this his insolent presumption untill the indignation be accomplished That is untill the end of Antichrist his raign and persecution Verse 30. with c. 12.7 for an accurate determination is made To the end of a time two times and half 1260. dayes 42. moneths c. 12.7 11 12. and 7.25 Apoc. 11.2 and 3. and 12.6 14. and 13.5 6. See Isa 10.22 23. and 28.22 Dan. 9.27 Verse 37. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers That is he shall not regard Christ regarded by the Apostles in the way of his Ordinances but he shall not regard him that is not deny him absolutely but slight him in changing his Ordinances at his own plaesure nor the desire of women Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the lawfull desire of women that is marriage which he regardeth not that is lightly esteems in all forbids to the Clergy as it is foretold 1 Tim. 4.3 nor regard any god For he advanceth himself above the Civill Magistrate despising Government 2 Pet. 2.10 For he shall magnifie himself above all above all orders and kinds of Government First Ecclesiasticall for he shall not regard the god of his fathers Secondly Oeconomicall for he shall not regard the lawfull desire of women Thirdly Politicall for he shall not regard any god And in all these he regardeth not the god of his fathers because his fathers the Apostles regarded and preached the offices of Christ unto the world Apoc. 1.5 the lawfull use of Marriage Heb. 13.4 and obedience to the Magistrate Rom. 13.1 Verse 38. But in his place That is the place of Christ he shall honour the god of Temples so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Verse 31. that is the Saints to whom the Temples are dedicated and images set up therein This god Antichrist is said to honour which is a generall word comprehending all degrees of religious worship 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and a god whom his fathers knew not That is the grand Idol in the Masse the breaden god a god not known or heard off muchlesse acknowledged by his Fathers the Apostles Or else all the Idols of Antichrist in generall are signified hereby for they were all unknown to his fore-fathers the Apostles shall he honour bowing kneeling cringing knocking of the breast before it yielding divine worship to it and consecrating to it things of price as in the next words with gold and silver and precious stones and pleasant things For with these in offrings and ornaments Antichrist honoreth both the god of Temples and the breaden god setting a great part of his divine honour in externall pomp and lustre and earthly magnificence His golden Images guildings coverings of gold pleasant paintings consecrated vessels of gold and silver vestments and copes set with gold silver pearl adorned with pleasant works are abundant
shewed Now if Idolatry came in between 380. and 400. then about 390. And Syricius did all this about the year 390. I make little matter that I cannot set down the precise year thereof exactly seeing Syricius began but about five years before to be in the seat of the Pope and the holy Ghost seemeth not so much to look at the niceties of numbers as alwayes to expresse the few broken pieces but looketh especially at the perfect and round number which is the number decadical and so the number 390. may be set down for the beginning of that which happily in some degree began three or four years before See Corn. a Lap. upon Ezek. 29.12 3. The years begin at the coming in of the Barbarians which are the primitive ten horns And as Arrianisme came to its strength about the year 360. so the Barbarians began at that time effectually and successively to break in upon the Empire judgement answering unto sin The Persians made the first onset and in the issue took away five Provinces from the Roman Empire and the bank being thus broken down Ammianus the whole flood of the Barbarians followed after from about the year 364. After the year 378. there followed a cessation of the Arrian Heresie and Persecution and therewithall a cessation of the irruptions of Barbarians for about ten years and then the Antichristian Heresie and Idolatry succeeding from about the year 390. the inundation of the Barbarians came in afresh again with a new and stronger beginning So that from this time forward it could be no more interrupted but continued and increased untill the Empire of the West was utterly dissolved â—alvis Croplâ—ad ann 89. For the cruell Barbarians from the North came in irresistibly upon Britainy from about the year 390. and horrible intestine wars following in the residue of the Empire and making way for these Barbarians and also for the rest about five years after namely from about the year 395. the Gothes and all the other Barbarians followed and entred into the whole Empire irresistibly So having divided the Empire into the ten Kingdoms they corrupted the Church more then before and lastly subjected their Kingdoms openly unto Antichrist and to his Laws So then the effectuall irruption of the Barbarians beginning at 360. and again afresh at 390. do also from the former term set a beginning to the years 1290. and from the latter term set a beginning to the years 1260. Now that the years must begin at the coming in of the Barbarians and dissipation of the Empire it may appear from these considerations 1. It is very probable That Antichrist arose in the coming in of the Barbarians and dissipation of the Empire So expresly Serez the Author of the French History a man indifferent and impartiall and of whom we have no cause to think that he looked at any other end in his Discourse but onely the reality of the thing in it self without respect to the Accommodation of the years And thus he writeth fol. 2. Damasas Syricius Anastasius Innocentius Sosimus and Bonifacius Bishops of Rome lived there one after the other amidst the confusions of the Empire and even at Rome whereas the Emperors were seldom seen so as the absence of the Emperors troubled to withstand the Barbarians the miserable state of the time which forced Christians to flye to their Bishop for counsell and comfort in their confused afflictions laid the foundation of their authority then small being tyed to their charges and subject to the Emperours command But it grew by degrees untill it came to the height of this Soveraign and Absolute power so as in the end they have prescribed Laws to the Emperours Kings and Christian Princes A necessary Observation both for the truth and order of this History to understand rightly both the time and means of their rising In the first age the Bishops of Rome durst not shew themselves being persecuted and imprisoned and martyred by the Emperours Since Constantine the Great their authority began in the dissipation of the Empire it increased especially under Pipin and Charls the Great Again at the year 514. thus the same Author writeth The Pope of Rome thrust himself forward amidst these confusions and ruines of the Empire recovering that which the Emperours had lost 2. Antichrist is the little horn and he rose at the same time together with the ten horns in low and dark beginnings and the Primitive ten horns were the Northern Barbarians Dan. 7.8 It is true he is said afterward Verse 24. to arise after the ten Horns but this may be said in respect of the open and more perfect degree of his Kingdom 3. The Beast or Antichrist is said to receive his Kingdom at one hour together with the ten horns Apoc. 17.12 4. The flood of the Dragon which doth signifie the inundation of the Northern Barbarians is expresly set after the womans flight and coming to her fixed seat in the state of the Wildernesse wherein she is to sit down and to be hidden the space of all the foresaid years the time two times and half So therefore the flood of the Barbarians cannot precede the years and can ascend at most but unto a state of coexistende therewithall as being in order ranked after them and begun in events in order of nature praeexistent though not happily of time 5. The seventh head is Antichrist and he ariseth into his Kingdom gradually as the sixth head falling under the Barbarians giveth way and place unto him See Apoc. 17.10 Thus the Emperours the impediment of Antichrist is gradually removed that Antichrist may gradually succeed 2 Thess 2.8 According to this way thus we may settle the terms of the years 1290 Beginning at the year 360 do end together in the year 1649. 1260 Beginning at the year 390 do end together in the year 1649. 490 Beginning at the year 1160 do end together in the year 1649. 575 Beginning at the year 1075 do end together in the year 1649. 390 Beginning at the year 1260 do end together in the year 1649. 1. The 1290. Dan. 12.11 2. The 1260. Dan. 12.7 Apoc. 12.6 14. 3. The 490. Dan. 9.24 4. The 575. Dan. 8.14 There are numbred 2300. of mornings and evenings But because in Scripture-use there is a morning and evening for the day time and a morning and evening for the night time Exo. 29.41 30.8 Lev. 23.5 Num. 9.3 5 11. Exod. 12.6 and 29.39 Psal 30.5 6. Therefore it may be that four of those 2300. do concur to make up one day and so 2300. mornings and evenings may make up 575. full dayes which in use Propheticall are 575. years And so this number may onely comprehend the times of the most perfect raign of Antichrist described in that eighth chapter beginning from the year 1075. when first Hildebrand took occasion to exalt himself effectually above the Emperour and promulged effectuall Decrees concerning the unmarryed estate of the