a contrarie religion may be tolerated in a Commonwealth 14. contr That the conuersion of Nebuchadnezzer doth not signifie the conuersion of the Deuill in the ende of the world Controversies vpon the 4. chapter of Daniel 1. Contr. That the virgin Marie was not without sinne 2. Contr. Against free will 3. Contr. Against the inuocation of Saints 4. Contr. That the Pope is not the distributer of kingdomes 5. contr Against satisfaction by workes 6. contr Of the certaintie of remission of sinnes 7. contr Which be the good works of Christians 8. contr That Gods prouidence is not onely a bare prescience or permission 9. contr Against the Pope who would be without check or controlment Controversies vpon the 5. chapter of Daniel 1. Contr. That idolaters and worshippers of images make them their gods 2. contr Whether images in Churches may be retained though they be not worshipped 3. contr That not Protestants but Papists are the profaners of holy things 4. contr That there are no certen periods of kingdomes Controversies vpon the 6. chapter of Daniel 1. Contr. Against canonicall and stinted houres of praier 2. contr That it is no Apostolicall tradition to pray toward the East 3. contr That the publike profession of our faith is necessarie and it is not sufficient to haue it inwardly in the heart 4. contr That it is not lawfull worshipping God to looke toward an image 5. contr Against the Papists and Vbiquitaries that hold a carnall presence in the sacrament 6. contr Of the false suggestions of the Papists against the Protestants 7. contr Of the vniust proceeding of the Romanists in their cruell inquisition condemning the Protestants their cause not beeing heard 8. contr Of the practising of Popes against Princes 9. contr Whether one is iust before God by an inherent iustice 10. contr Whether Daniels innocencie were the meritorious cause of his deliuerance 11. contr That a generall faith called salus implicita an implicit faith is not sufficient Controversies vpon the 7. chapter of Daniel 1. Contr. The Church is not discerned by the greatnes and largenes thereof 2. contr Whether the Saints shall iudge the world 3. contr The vulgar Latine translation not authenticall 4. contr Of the diuers orders of Angels 5. contr The glorious persons of the Trinitie are not to be represented by any image 6. contr Against the Vbiquitaries which hold an omnipresence of Christs humanitie 7. contr That diuturnitie and long continuance without interruption is no infallible note of the Church 8. contr That the dominion of the Pope is temporall rather then spirituall 9. contr That Antichrist is alreadie come Controversies vpon the 8. chapter of Daniel 1. Contr. Prosperitie and externall felicitie is no perpetuall note of the Church 2. contr That the abomination of desolation spoken of v. 13. is not the abolishing of the sacrifice of the Masse 3. contr The authoritie of the Scripture dependeth not vpon the testimonie of the Church 4. contr The description of Antiochus agreeeth to the Pope and Antichrist Controversies vpon the 9. chapter of Daniel 1. Contr. That praier and fasting is not meritorious 2. cont God only is to be inuocated not Saints or Angels 3. contr That Christ is the onely Mediator 4. contr Against praier or inuocation of the dead 5. contr Of the name of the Catholike Church that it is but vsurped by the Romanists 6. contr That no man is perfect in this life 7. contr That the prayers of the faithfull are not meritorious 8. contr That we are not iustified by any inherent righteousnes but imputed onely by faith 9. contr Whether sinne any way after forgiuenes may be said to remaine in the faithfull 10. contr That charitie is not more principal in the matter of iustification then faith 11. contr That the Pope doth blasphemously vsurpe the title of Christ to be called most holy 12. contr Whether the Sacrament of the Altar be most holy 13. contr That Christ is Mediatour both as God and man 14. contr Against the sacrifice of the Masse 15. contr Against the Iewes that the Messiah who was expected of the Fathers is alreadie come into the world Controversies vpon the 10. chapter of Daniel 1. Contr. Against superstitious fasting 2. contr That Paradise was a terrestriall place 3. contr Against the curious distinction of the orders of Angels Controversies vpon the 11. chapter of Daniel 1. Contr. Of the birth and offspring of Antichrist 2. contr That Antichrist shall not be one particular man 3. contr That Nero the Emperor shall not be the great Antichrist 4. contr That Antichrist shall be a deceiuer rather then a victorious conquerer 5. contr Of Antichrists miracles 6. contr That Antichrists comming shall not be deferred to the ende of the world 7. contr That Antichrists seate shall not be at Ierusalem 8. contr That the citie of Rome shall not be vtterly destroied before Antichrist shall come 9. contr That the Papists Antichrist and the Iewes Messiah shall come together 10. contr Of the true marks whereby Antichrist may be discerned 11. contr How the description of Antiochus historically doth typically decyphre the Pope and Antichrist 12. contr That S. Paul speaketh of an apostasie and departure from the faith 2. Thes. 2. 3. 13. contr Of other notes and marks wherein Antiochus and Antichrist agree 14. contr How the Antichrist of Rome hath persecuted Emperours Kings Princes and learned men for religion 15. contr Of the pride and blasphemies of Antichrist against God 16. contr How Antichrist is said to sit in the Temple of God 17. contr Of the prosperitie and outward successe of Antichrist 18. contr That externall happinesse is not a sure note of the Church 19. contr why the Lord suffereth Antichrist to rage against his church 20. contr That out of this text v. 36. it cannot be prooued that the Pope is not Antichrist as Bellarmine intendeth 21. contr How Antichrist shall forsake his fathers god v. 31. 22. contr How the Romane Antichrist regardeth not the desire of women 23. contr That the Antichrist shall not care in deede for any god nor haue any sense of religion 24. contr How Antichrist shall bring in a strange god which his fathers neuer knew v. 38. 25. contr Of the theatricall and pompous seruice with siluer and gold which Antichrist hath found out for his newe idol 26. contr How Antichrist shall distribute honours and possessions vnto his fauourites and that for money 27. contr Of Antichrists insatiable ambition crueltie and couetousnesse 28. contr Of the rage and furie of Antichrist 29. contr How Antichrists palace is planted betweene two seas 30. contr Of the fearefull ende of diuerse Popes Controversies vpon the 12. chapter 1. Contr. Against blasphemous Servetus that made himselfe Michael 2. contr Whether Henoch and Elias shall stand vp with Michael in the last times 3. contr What manner of persecution shall be vnder Antichrist 4. contr Of the certaintie of Election that none of the elect can finally fall
more then to haue Cesars image in their coine 2. This was done rather after the passion of Christ as Oecolampad inferreth out of Iosephus 3. And though they were remooued yet it is like they stood there some certaine time 4. Neither onely is this abomination of desolation to be restrained to the images which Pilate brought in but it comprehendeth also other like profanations as that of Caligula before mentioned for the word is put in the plural shakutzim abominations Now that this is the most fit and conuenient sense of this place our reasons are these 1. because this reading of the Septuagint and vulgar Latin in the Temple shall be the abomination of desolation is confirmed and warranted by our blessed Sauiour Matth. 24. When ye shall see the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place 2. The abomination of desolation which was in Antiochus time foreshewed Dan. 8. 13. 11. 31. they shall pollute the Sanctuarie c. and set vp the abominable desolation is taken in that sense which was the abominable idol of Iuppiter Olympius which was set vp vpon the altar as appeareth 1. Macc. 1. 57. and Iosephus also writeth that he caused the Sanctuarie to be called the Temple of Iuppiter Olympius lib. 12. antiquit c. 7. The like meaning of the same words is also insinuated here 3. The Hebrew word shakutz abomination is peculiar to idols as 1. king 11. 5. Milcom is called shakutz the abomination of the Ammonites the abomination then and abominable thing is most properly vnderstood to be some abominable idol set vp 4. The word also canaph wing is applied to the Sanctuarie as Psal. 61. 4. I will dwell in thy Tabernacle for euer and my trust shall be vnder the couering of thy wings where Dauid alludeth to the Cherubims which strercheth out their wings and ouershadowed the Arke So Matth. 4. 5. the place of the Temple whether Christ was carried in his second temptation is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the wing that is the pinnacle or battlement of the Temple Pintus taketh the wing for the spreading of the banners in the Temple R. Saadinh by the wing of abomination interpreteth the hand of those which taee abominable things as swines flesh but this is forced and he seemeth especially to haue reference to Antiochus times It is most fitly therefore referred to the Temple the wing or pinacle and part beeing taken for the whole Oecolamp or because in the inward parts were the Cherubims with their stretched-out wings Osiand or rather because the Temple was in respect of the defence thereof and Gods presence called the wings of God Bulling and it stood in the highest part of the citie as ouershadowing the rest as it were with wings see more of the diuers acceptions of this word in the question next before 89. Quest. v. 27. Whether the desolation of Ierusalem here spoken of should be finall The words are thus translated vntill the consummation euen determined shall it be powred vpon the desolate Iun. the meaning of which words is that like a continuall dropping and ouerflowing so shall one calamitie follow an other vntill they be vtterly made desolate 1. R. Salomon vnderstandeth this consummation of the last battell of Gog and Magog in the ende of the world vntill that time should this desolation be but then the Messiah should ouercome all the aduersaries of the Iewes and the citie and Temple should be reedified againe But the battell of Gog and and Magog was past long before Christs time neither should the Messiah come into the world as a victorious Prince he was to be put to death as here the Angel foresheweth see this opinion before confuted qu. 78. 2. Lyranus inferreth vpon these words vsque ad consummationem finem vnto the consummation and ende c. that prope finem mundi c. toward the ende of the world the falsenesse of Antichrist beeing detected by the preaching of Henoch and Elias the Iewes shall be conuerted vnto Christ and vntill that time this desolation shall be c. But that conceit of Henoch and Elias preaching in the ende of the world hath no ground neither shall the comming of Antichrist be deferred so long vnto the ende of the world the Iewes conuersion is expected but their citie and Temple shall neuer be restored againe for that would hinder their conuersion vnto Christ. 3. Wherefore out of this place rather it may be concluded that this ouerthrowe of the citie which is here spoken of should be the beginning of their finall and perpetuall desolation which may thus further appeare 1. This is testified in other places of the Scripture that a finall destruction was determined ouer this people as Ier. 19. 11. I will breake this people and this citie as one breaketh a potters vessell that cannot be made whole againe so also the Prophet Isay saith after he had prophesied of diuerse calamities which should fall vpon them yet for all this his wrath is not turned away but his hand is stretched out still Hereunto agreeth S. Paul speaking of the Iewes who both killed the Lord Iesus and their owne Prophets and haue persecuted vs and God they pleased not and are contrarie to all men c. for the wrath of God is come vpon them to the vtmost c. 1. Thess. 2. 16. And yet the Prophet Isay more euidently prophesied of the finall ruine of the citie c. 25. 1. 2. O Lord thou art my God I will exalt thee for thou hast made of a citie an heape of a strong citie a ruine c. it shall neuer be built againe 2. This further may appeare by comparing this desolation of Ierusalem with the former times of their captiuitie In Babylon they were captiue but 70. yeares afterward the citie and Temple were repaired vnder Antiochus the Temple and citie lay wast 2300. daies Dan. 8. 14. that is 6. yeares 3. moneths and an halfe But this desolation and captiuitie hath now continued aboue 1500. yeares Now whereas the Prophet Hagge saith c. 2. 7. Thus saith the Lord of hosts Yet a little while and I will shake the heauens and the earth c. I will â—â—one all nations and the desire of all nations shall come seeing that in the Prophet Hagges time which is almost 2000. yeares since the Messiah was then to come within a little while what hope can the Iewes now haue after so many yeares to expect an other Messiah 3. Beside this is an euident argument of the finall and perpetuall desolation of the Iewes citie and Temple because they haue attempted since this destruction by Titus to haue restored their Temple and Commonwealth but they were hindred from going forward vnder Adrian the Emperour some 64. yeares after this calamitie the Iewes vnder their captaine Benchochab or Barchochab thought to recouer their libertie they held 50. castles and 980. townes and fortified Beth-oron Adrian came and besieged the citie 3. yeares and 6. moneths at the length
11. epist. c. 3. These scrappes of some auncient writers the Romanists in these daies haue gathered vp who affirme the same that Antichrist shall haue his seat at Ierusalem reedifie the Temple and command circumcision The same is the generall opinion of the Iewes that when their expected Messiah commeth the citie and Temple shall be built againe and he shall restore vnto them their kingdome and countrey be a victorious conqueror suppressing the armies of Gog Magog Now then as the Romanists themselues hold the obstinate Iewes to be in error that denie the Messiah and Christ to be come looking for an other so they making their Antichrist to be the same with the Iewes Messiah are in the like error expecting for the comming of an other Antichrist who long since is come alreadie and manifested in the world and as soone shall the Iewes Messiah come as this their imagined Antichrist Hauing now thus briefly discouered these errors of the Romanists concerning Antichrist we will now come to set forth the true signes and marks whereby the Antichrist is discouered and so find him out where he is 10. Controv. Of the true markes whereby Antichrist may be discerned 1. As he is called Antichrist so he shall in all things be opposite and contrarie vnto Christ. 1. Christ was most holy and by the spirit of God which remained in him was mooued in his thoughts words and workes onely to that which was good but Antichrist by the operation and instinct of Sathan shall be stirred vp vnto all kind of euill this Pererius confesseth how this hath bin performed in that Romish chaire of pestilence all the world seeth and they which are not wilfully blinded must needes acknowledge what blasphemie idolatrie profanenes vncleannes of life murders and other impieties haue beene committed by that Sea hath beene abundantly shewed elswhere so that that title which the holy Apostle hath giuen vnto Antichrist calling him the man of sinne 2. Thess. 2. 8. doth more fitly agree vnto none then to the Bishop of Rome 2. Christ was humble and meeke but Antichrist shall be most proud 3. Christ was most obedient vnto his father and gaue most honourable testimonie of him Antichrist shall be most contumelious and blasphemous against God and therfore he is said Apoc. 13. to be full of the names of blasphemie 4. Christ came to preach the truth Antichrist shall be the sower of all corrupt and false doctrine 5. Christ said his kingdome was not of this world but Antichrist shall altogether seeke the pompe and glorie of this world 6. Christ was the head of all good and holy men and Antichrist shal be caput malorum the head of the euill and wicked men These notes and marks Pererius giueth of Antichrist shewing wherein he shall be an enemie and aduersarie vnto Christ. All which notes and markes doe most fitly agree to the Bishop of Rome for what place can shew more examples of all kind of wickednes then that who is more proud and ambitious blasphemous then he where is taught more false and corrupt doctrine then there who seeketh more the outward pompe of the world then he and who els chalengeth to be head of the malignant Church but he 2. Pererius saith that Antichrist shall be a great dissembler and hypocrite he shall make a shew of three great vertues chastitie abstinencie and pietie And who maketh a greater shew of these then the Pope he would seeme to be so chast that he forbiddeth his Clergie lawfull marriage yet suffering them to practise secretly all kind of vncleannes he would seeme to be abstemious in forbidding the vse of lawfull meates and for his pietie he will be saluted and called the most holy father 3. Antichrist shall corrupt many with his great gifts and liberall rewards And so the Pope hath Cardinals hats Archbishops palles Bishops miters and other dignities with ample and large reuenues to bestow vpon his followers as Bishop Fisher in king Henries daies was rewarded with a Cardinals hat for his good seruice in maintaining the Popes supremacie but the head that should haue worne it was first set vp vpon London bridge Bellarmine for his great paines taken in defending of the Popes supremacie and other points of Antichristian doctrine was made a Cardinal 4. Pererius addeth further that whome Antichrist cannot winne with flatterie gifts he will seeke to ouercome by terror and torments lib. 14. in 11. Dan. v. 21. Such hath beene the practise of the Antichristian Prelates as the former daies of persecution in England doe plentifully testifie for first they would set vpon the faithfull seruants of God by flatterie and faire promises and so not preuailing they would threaten faggot and fire this may be euidently seene in the examinations of the blessed seruants of God D. Taylor M. Philpot. M. Bradford with the rest 5. Last of all Antichrist shall deceiue saith Pererius faciendo plurima admiranda prodigia by working many prodigious things And this hath beene the continuall practise of the Papal Church with forged miracles to deceiue the simple people as hath beene before declared And hitherto I haue followed Pererius steppes shewing how his markes of Antichrist doe most fitly agree vnto his Pope holy father the Bishop of Rome 11. Controv. How the description of Antiochus historically doth typically decypher the Pope and Antichrist Though in this propheticall narration of Daniel c. 11. from v. 21. to the ende Antiochus be properly described yet figuratiuely it may be applyed vnto Antichrist And it letteth not that Antiochus was a ciuill and temporall king and the Pope taketh vpon him chiefely to be a spirituall gouernour for as Doeg notwithstanding he was one of Sauls courtiers yet was a type of Iudas one of the twelue Apostles as appeareth Psal. 69. 26. and 109. 8. compared with Act. 1. 20. And so Achitophel also one of Dauids politike Counsellers of state a figure of the same Iudas Psal. 55. 14. and Mark 14. 20. So Antiochus as well may be a figure and type of the Antichristian Prelate 1. Antiochus is said to be a vile and abiect person and not to haue come vnto the honour of the kingdome by any right and title or by consent or election but by flatterie So the Romane Bishop was at the first of small respect who by little and little vsurped ouer the Church not by any right or title thereunto or by common consent and suffrage of the Church but by flatterie and deceit Bulling Polan Hereunto also agreeth the former prophesie c. 7. 8. where this enemie vnto the people of God is called a little horne in respect of his obscure and base beginning and Reuel 13. the beast which signifieth Antichrist is said to ascend out of the â—arth 2. Antiochus is set forth as a victorious conqueror the armes shall be broken before him v. 22. So the Antichrist of Rome hath much preuailed and prospered in the world though not so much
toward the North toward the south c. v. 9. he should raise vp tumults and warres euery where So the Popes haue beene the authors of bloodie warres in euery place almost Gregorie the 3. and Leo 3. set Italie against the Emperour zacharias suborned Pipinus against Childerick king of Fraunce Adrian 1. set the French and Lombards together by the eares Iulius the 2. stirred vp diuers Christian Princes against the Venetians Nicolaus the 3. caused the Sicilians to put the French to the sword Paulus the 3. raised the Italians and Spaniards against the Germanes yea there haue beene almost no warres betweene Christian Princes wherein the Pope hath not put his foule finger 7. Antiochus should thorough peace destroy many and so did Gregorie the 13. vnder pretence of peace in that bloodie mariage at Paris in the yeare 1572. cause much blood to be shed 8. Antiochus should stand against the Prince of Princes God himselfe so the Pope aduanceth himselfe against God in taking vnto himselfe authoritie to dispense with the word of God in maintaining doctrines directly opposite to the Scriptures as idolatrie inuocation of Saints merits and such like 9. Antiochus should exalt himselfe in his heart v. 25. so the Pope hath beene so lifted vp in pride that he hath set his foote in the necks of Emperours made them kisse his foote and hold his stirrup and lead his horse 10. Antiochus should be destroyed without hand so the Lord shall consume Antichrist with the spirit of his mouth 2. Thess. 2. 8. 6. Morall obseruations 1. Observ. Religion maketh a citie or countrey famous v. 9. Toward the pleasant land There were many countries more flourishing then Iudea in temporall blessings as Egypt Babylon Syria yet Iudea is called the pleasant land because of the true religion and worship of God So Italie now is for pleasantnes and fruitfulnesse farre beyond other regions but those countries and cities which professe the Gospel are the pleasant lands in the sight of God as the brethren of Berea are called noble in respect of their knowledge and zeale Act. 17. 11. 2. Observ. The Church of God is militant and warfaring in earth v. 13. To tread c. the armie vnder foote The Church of God doth but soiourne here in earth and the faithfull are but as pilgrimes and strangers here as S. Peter saith 1. Pet. 2. 11. They doe not warre after the flesh 2. Cor. 10. 3. Therefore we are taught that as Gods souldiers we should striue for the kingdome of God and hold out this our warfare and pilgrimage with constancie and patience till we obtaine the victorie 3. Observ. Of the care and loue of the Angels toward the Church of Christ. v. 13. As here an Angel is desirous to know how long this desolation of the Church should last so those blessed spirits of God doe grieue to see the affliction of Christs Church desire to haue it at an ende As they reioyce to see the Church increased and men brought vnto repentance Luk. 15. 7. Ioy shall be in heauen for one sinner that conuerteth 4. Observ. It is profitable to heare the same things often v. 26. As the Angel repeateth onely the vision of the euening and morning but expoundeth it not because it was plaine enough so it is not amisse for vs often to haue inculcated and beaten vpon the same principles of religion as S. Paul saith Philip. 3. 1. It grieueth me not to write of the same things vnto you and for you it is a sure thing Men must not then haue itching eares still desirous to heare new things such were the Athenians who coueted onely to tell and heare newes Act. 17. 21. 5. Observ. How we should be affected in hearing Gods word v. 27. And I Daniel was stricken and sicke c. Daniel was much mooued at the hearing of this vision so should the seruants of God be throughly stricken with admiration at the mysteries of religion their inward bowels should be mooued at the hearing of Gods word They then which are dull and heauie and haue no sense not feeling when Gods word is denounced doe shew that they haue but carnall and cold affections and had neede to be often rouzed vp with that saying He that hath eares to heare let him heare CHAP. IX 1. The Argument and Methode THis Chapter hath two parts 1. Daniels prayer and supplication to v. 20. 2. then the effect of his prayer thence vnto the ende 1. There is set forth 1. the occasion of his prayer what it was he vnderstood by reading the Prophet Ieremie that the 70. yeares of captiuitie was accomplished v. 2. what it wrought it mooued him vnto carnest prayer and supplication v. 3. which is set forth by the circumstance of the time in the first yeare of Darius v. 1. 2. then followeth the inuocation it selfe v. 5. 3. the praier consisting partly of a confession v. 15. the seuerall parts and arguments whereof see quest 7. following partly of an earnest deprecation to v. 20. the particulars whereof see also qu. 7. 2. In the effect of his praier there is expressed 1. who it was that came vnto him the Angel Gabriel v. 21. 2. when the generall time is described while Daniel was yet praying v. 20. the particular in the time of the euening sacrifice 3. what message the Angel brought which is deliuered first in generall then in particular in the generall foure things are shewed 1. the commandement giuen vnto him 2. the cause thereof Daniel was beloued 3. the ende to informe Daniel 4. with a stirring of him vp to attention v. 22 23. In the particular declaration two things are deliuered the office of the Messiah with such things as should happen vnto him he should be slaine and the destruction of the citie which should follow as a iust iudgement for putting the Messiah to death The time limited concerning the Messiah 1. is set forth in an whole summe of 70. weekes wherein three things are declared 1. the time summed by propheticall weekes of yeares 2. for whome vpon thy people 3. what things should be done in this time euen these three 1. the sealing vp of former visions which should be accomplished in the Messiah 2. the anointing of the Messiah to his office 3. the benefits procured by the Messiah either in taking away sinne both in finishing it that it should raigne no more in his members in sealing it in the remission and forgiuenes thereof and reconciling that is paying the ransome for it and in bringing in euerlasting righteousnes v. 24. 2. this time is set forth in parts 1. seuen weekes are set apart for the building of Ierusalem 2. after 62. weekes the Messiah shall be slaine v. 26. 3. in the 70. and last weeke he shall confirme the couenant and the sacrifices shall cease v. 27. The destruction of the citie is shewed 1. by whome by a Prince that should come 2. what he should doe destroy the citie and Sanctuarie 3.
his owne power he can not cause lightening and tempest see this question handled more at large Hexapl. in Exod. c. 7. qu. 15. 5. Whereas then it is said that Antichrist shall bring downe fire from heauen and cause an image to speake though some vnderstand these things mystically Bulling as I haue shewed els where yet it may literally also be vnderstood for in the Popes legends such things are to be found that their canonized Saints are said to haue raised tempests walked vpon the sea and caused images to speake such things their legend stories are full of And at the tombs of their Saints to the which simple people come in pilgrimage they made them beleeue that many blinde receiued their sight many comming lame returned hole and sound yea they imagined the dead to be raised out of their graues 6. And these strange things so farre as the power of Sathan could extend were done verily for euen such things were wrought by the operation of Sathan among the heathen as Claudia a Vestal Virgin to prooue her chastitie did stirre a shippe alone by tying her girdle to it and Tucia an other Virgin of the same order did carrie water in a sive from the riuer Tibris to the Capitol Plin. lib. 28. c. 2. But many of their strange works were but fained and counterfeit miracles such are those fore-named which they fable to be done at their Saints tombes So that though all the foresaid miracles mentioned by Hyppolius Pererius subscribing shall be wrought by Antichrist yet many of them some true some forged haue beene practised in the Papal Church that in this behalfe we neede goe no further to seeke Antichrist 6. Controv. That Antichrists comming shall not be deferred to the ende of the world This is the generall opinion of the Romanists that Antichrist shall raigne but 3â— yeares and an halfe and then at the end of the world shall be slaine so Bellar. lib. 3. de Rom. Pontif. c. 4. and the rest doe concurre with him therein Lactantius also seemeth to fauour this opinion who thinketh that the comming of Antichrist shall be in extremis mundi temporibus in the last times of the world lib. 7. c. 16. But this opinion can not stand with the Scriptures 1. the mysterie of iniquitie beganne to worke in S. Pauls time euen then a way was preparing for Antichrist If euen then Antichrist were in hatching it is not like that all this while he should onely be in the egge that vncleane bird hath long since broken the shell and the cockatrice egge a good while since hath brought forth a serpent 2. Antichrist must come at the loosing of Sathan for then when Antichrist should shew himselfe he shall come by the operation of Sathan with all power and signes and lying wonders 2. Thess. 2. 9. But Sathan is let loose many yeares since he was to be bound but for a thousand yeares Rev. 20. 3. which thousand yeares are long agoe expired 3. We graunt that Antichrist shall not vtterly be confounded till the second comming of Christ some reliques of that aduersarie shall remaine for Christ to abolish at the brightnes of his comming as S. Paul saith 2. Thess. 2. 8. but his comming vpon the foresaid reasons cannot be deferred so long see more also of this matter elswhere 7. Controv. That Antichrists seat shall not be at Ierusalem So hold the Romanists generally that Antichrist shall haue his Imperiall seate at Ierusalem command circumcision and cause the Temple to be reedified Bellar. lib. 3. de Roman Pontif. c. 13. Rhemists 2. Thess. 2. sect 11. But this is a groundlesse and weake conceit of theirs as it may appeare euidently by these reasons New Babylon shall be the seate of Antichrist Apoc. 17. 5. but Rome is new Babylon the great citie which then ruled ouer the earth was Babylon Apoc. 17. 5. 18. but that was Rome which then had the command of the earth Hierome also saith speaking of Rome dum in Babylone versarer while I was conuersant in Babylon praefat ad Paulinâ—m 2. Againe in the same chapter Apoc. 17. v. 9. it is said the seuen heads are seuen mountaines whereon the woman sitteth the citie which stood vpon seuen mountaines should be the seat of Antichrist but Rome is notoriously knowne to be that citie built vpon seuen hills therefore none other seat shall Antichrist haue then the citie of Rome see further elswhere we must but touch euery thing briefly here 8. Controv. That the citie of Rome shall not be vtterly destroyed before Antichrist shall come This was an other of Lactantius conceits approoued by Pererius Incolumi vrbe Roma nihil istiusmodi videtur metuendum as long as the citie of Rome is safe no such thing is to be feared but when that head citie of the world is fallen and Rome begun to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is a ruine as Sybil said who will doubt but that the end of humane things is then at haÌ„d c. 1. The same Lactantius was of opinion that the world should ende within 200. yeares after his time the one is as true as the other 2. True it is that as long as the Romane Empiâ—e continued in the full strength and authoritie Antichrist was kept out and that is it which should with old and let Antichrists comming till it were taken out of the way whereof S. Paul speaketh 2. Thess. 2. 7. for it is euident that the Pope encreased in power by the ruine and decay of the Empire 3. It is also true that the citie of Rome was neuer more ruinated defaced and spoiled then since it hath beene vnder the command and obedience of the Pope by the Gothes Vandals Lombards and others 4. But that Rome should be vtterly desolate and brought to a finall ruine is contrarie to the diuine prophesie of the Revelation which maketh the citie with seuen hills to be the seat of Antichrist as is shewed in the former controversie 9. Controâ— That the Papists Antichrist and the Iewes Messiah shall come together Hyppolitus whose opinion herein Pererius followeth thus writeth of Antichrist Potissimum Gens Hebraeorum prae omnibus Antichristo chara erit c. The nation of the Hebrewes shall be before all other most deare vnto Antichrist and one shall say vnto an other can a man in our age such as this so good and so iust be found the Iewes therefore hoping that he shall obtaine a most large Empire shall thus say vnto him We will all obey you for we acknowledge you to be iust aboue all the earth all we hope to obtaine saluation by you c. Gregorie also in his time seemed to fauour that fansie quia Iudaizare populum compellet vt ritus Mosaicae legis revocet c. because he shall compell the people to Iudaize that he might revive the rites of Moses law and bring the Iewes in subiection vnto him he shall cause the Sabbath to be obserued c. lib.
30. Controv. Of the fearefull ende of diuerse Popes As Antiochus came vnto a terrible ende he was eaten of wormes and his flesh fell away from him that he could not endure his owne stinke so herein he was a figure and type of diuerse Popes of Rome who came to an vntimely death Sabinianus who first brought in the canonical houres and the vse of tapers in the Church was frighted by a vision wherein Gregorie the 1. appeared vnto him whose books of meere enuie he thought to haue burned and smote him vpon the terror whereof he not long after died Fascicul tempor Boniface the 3. after he had obtained of that parricide and murtherer the Emperour Phocas that the Church of Rome should haue the principalitie before other Churches came home and ended his dayes in sorrowe and griefe hauing not enioyed his papacie aboue a yeare and 5. moneths Leo the 3. was taken by the citizens of Rome and imprisoned and making an escape went by stealth into Fraunce where he ended his dayes miserably hauing not beene Bishop full 20. moneths Pope Lando was suffocated by Iohn the 11. by thrusting a pillowe into his mouth Sylvester the 2. that obtained his papacie by the deuill when he had solemnized Masse in a chappell called Ierusalem which signe the deuill had giuen him that he should not die till he came to Ierusalem died presently and his bodie was cut into gobbets least the deuill should haue carried it away Naucler Iohn the 13. that had committed incest with two of his sisters was slaine in adulterie Iohn the 15. had his eyes put out by Boniface the 7. and was famished to death in the castle of S. Angel the same Boniface the 7. died suddenly a very short time after and his body was drawne with a rope by the feet through the streets of Rome the historie called fascicul tempor giueth this note here of the Popes note saith he that the Bishops of Rome are killed as in the Primitiue Church but they were no martyrs par poena sed dispar causa the punishment was like but the cause vnlike Benedict the 5. fledde to Hamburge and was there strangled in prison Benedict the 6. was taken by the citizens and strangled in the castle of S. Angel Gregorie the 7. by poison and other meanes made an hand of 6. Popes one after another to make a way for himselfe to the Popedome And he himselfe who so persecuted the Emperour Henrie the 4. was taken by Cynthius a citizen of Rome and imprisoned and afterward was besieged by the Emperor and at the last escaped into a poore village in Apulia where he died miserably Victor the 3. was poisoned in a chalice by a subdeacon and thereof died Paschal the second after he had stirred vp Henrie the 5. against his father was taken by the same Henrie and cast into bonds and so died in prison Adrian the 4. was choaked of a little flie and so ended his life Boniface the 8. who had beene a terror vnto Princes died madde in prison and bonds of whom it is said that he entred like a foxe reigned like a wolfe and died like a dogge Clement the 5. was poisoned Paulus the 2. who as Platina writeth exceeded Heliogabalus in riot and filthie pleasure through gluttonie and leacherie fel into an apoplexie Sixtus the 4. died of verie griefe that his warres were ended Alexander the 6. died of the same poison which his sonne Caesar Borgias had prouided for Adrianus Cardinall of Corneta Paulus the 3. that spent his time in filthie pleasure after he had heard of the death of his sonne Pertus Aloisius died in a peuish rage and crying out in despaire peccatum meum contra me semper my sinne is alway against me so gaue vp the ghost Iulius the 3. that belli-god died of a surfet and not without suspition of poison Pius the 5. that had like a wolfe sucked the blood of many of Christs lambes fell thorough griefe into a consumption and sucked asses milke but it helped him not Sixtus the 5. who so pursued and baited with his bulls Henrie the 4. now king of France died of poison whereas the king yet liueth and prospereth After him followed Vrbane the 7. Gregor the 14. and Innocentius the 9. who died all in a verie short time one after an other ex Polan Thus Antiochus miserable ende was a right figure and patterne of the like ende of the like Romane tyrants And as Antiochus tyrannie ended with him so at the length the kingdome of Antichrist shall be extinguished as it is prophesied Apocal. 14. 8. It is fallen it is fallen Babylon that great citie for she made all nations to drinke of the wine of the wrath of her fornications c. Thus haue I by Gods grace shewed how diuerse wayes Antiochus was a type and figure of the Romane Antichrist and so much of the controversies out of this chapter 6. Morall obseruations 1. Observ. The Angels assist Princes in the defence of the Church v. 1. I stood to encourage him that is the Angel assisted Darius in his godly purpose in sending the people of God out of captiuitie If the Angels assist infidels when they fauour the Church much more faithfull Princes for the speciall office of the Angels is to be empolyed for their sakes which shall be heires of saluation Heb. 1. 14. 2. Observ. Ambition and couetousnesse the causes of the ruine of kingdomes v. 2. By his riches he shall stirre vp all against the Realme of Grecia Xerxes who by oppression grewe rich and by his riches waxed proud and thorough pride mooued vnnecessarie warre warring against the Grecians with 800. thousand men was the occasion of the ruine and fall of the kingdome of the Persians for these warres continued still and though sometimes intermitted yet were not fully ended vntill Alexanders time who tooke occasion by those warres to goe against the Persians 3. Observ. God resisteth and punisheth the proud v. 4. And when he shall stand vp his kingdome shall be broken c. Alexander beeing lifted vp in minde for his great successe made himselfe equall vnto God when he heard that the Arabians worshipped two gods the heauens which did beare the Sunne and Dyonisius because he went with an armie against the Indians thought himselfe worthie to be the third god and sometime he would come forth like Iupiter sometime like Diana for this his pride and vnthankfulnes to God he continued not long beeing cut off in the 32. yeare of his age and all his posteritie and kinred his mother sister sonnes and wiues within a short time after his death were all slaine this is the ende of proud persons So it befell vnto proud Pharaoh king of Egygt who was drowned in the redde Sea and vnto Herod that was deuoured of wormes Act. 12. 4. Observ. Incestuous marriages vnhappie v. 6. The kings daughter of the South shall come to the kings daughter of the North. Ptolomeus Philadelphus gaue
seasons which the father hath kept in his owne power Perer. and so he saith in effect Goe thy way nihil amplius dicturus sum I will say no more at this time vnto thee Vatab. Pintus But it appeareth by the explanation which followeth that Daniel was not altogether repelled 2. Wherefore in part Daniel hath his request pleniorem explicationem Christus exhibuit Christ doth more fully explane the former prophecie of the time of the persecution M. Br. partly he faileth in his desire for he obtaineth not singularem minutam istarum rerum cognitionem a particular and seuerall knowledge of these things which are sealed vp vntill the time come when they should be fulfilled Iun. in commentar for if all these things had beene particularly expounded aforehand the faith and patience of Gods seruants had not beene so fully tried if euery thing had beene manifest as in their sight before for as the Apostle saith 2. Cor. 5. 7. We walke by faith and not by sight 23. Quest. Of those words v. 10. The wicked shall doe wickedly and none shall haue vnderstanding what wicked he speaketh of 1. Some expound this place by that place 2. Pet. 3. 3. that in the last daies there shall be mockers which shall say Where is the promise of his comming that although some shall profit by the Lords chastisments and thereby be purged and made white yet others shall be secure passing their time in pleasure and carnall delight Oecolampad euen as it was in the daies of Noe and Lot Bulling But the vnderstanding or not vnderstanding here spoken of is concerning the prophesie of this booke as Lyranus obserueth which concerneth not the afflictions of the last times otherwiâ—e then by way of analogie 2. Pererius and Pintus thinke that the wicked may attaine vnto some knowledge but it shall be infructuosa cognitio an vnfruitfull and vnprofitable knowledge But this rather is giuen as a reason why they shall doe wickedly because nihil intelligent quia excaecati sunt they shall vnderstand nothing because they are blinded Calv. the knowledge of these secrets and mysteries shall be kept from their eyes 3. Here then is speciall relation had vnto the false brethren that should be in those daies of persecution which â—hould giue way vnto Antiochus wicked proceedings and labour to seduce and betray their brethren Iun. annot which should not haue any care to obserue the accomplishment of this prophesie nor compare the euent therewith of these the Angel foretold before c. 11. 34. Many shall cleaue vnto them fainedly And as it was in those daies of persecution so should it be afterward as S. Paul saith 2. Tim. 3. 12. All that will liue godly in Christ Iesus shall suffer persecution but the euill men and deceiuers shall waxe worse deceiuing and beeing deceiued of such also speaketh S. Iohn Apoc. 22. 11. He that is vniust let him be vniust still he that is filthie let him be filthie still c. 24. Quest. What the abomination of desolation is mentioned v. 11. 1. Hierome and Theodoret vnderstand hereby the discontinuing of the true seruice of God by Antichrist at his comming he shall bring in an horrible desolation and abolish the true seruice of God he shall Dei cultum interdicere forbid the seruice and worship of God But neither doth this prophecie concerne the ende of the world nor yet shall there be any such singular Antichrist 2. Pererius and Pintus with other Romanists vnderstand this of the abrogating of the sacrifice of the Masse and in stead thereof Antichrist shall command himselfe to be worshipped so also Hug. Card. Antichristus se exhibebit ad adorandum Antichrist shall cause himselfe to be worshipped But 1. that idolatrous sacrifice of the Masse is rather the abomination of desolation it selfe whereby the true seruice of Christ and the right vse of the Eucharist according to Christs institution is abolished 2. neither shall this abomination be Antichrist himselfe but he shall set vp this abomination as it is saide before c. 11. 31. They shall set vp the abomination c. that is wicked Antiochus with his captaines he that setteth vp and that which is set vp is not the same 3. Bullinger thinketh it is abominanda gentis vrbis vastatio the abominable laying wast of the nation and citie of the Iewes at the destruction of Ierusalem by the Romans but this prophesie was rather fulfilled in Antiochus time as afterward shall be shewed 4. M. Calvin vnderstandeth the sacrifices of the Iewes which were abominable after the sacrifice of Christs death performed vpon the crosse so also Pëllic but the daily sacrifice of the Temple was not taken away presently after Christs death 5. Osiander thinketh this abominable desolation to be the idolatrous seruice brought into the Church by the Romane Antichrist but then can not the time here described by daies agree for more then so many daies or moneths hath the true seruice of God beene corrupted by them and so many yeares as here are named daies God forbid that Antichrists corrupt religion should continue 6. Wherefore this abomination which shall be set vp was no other but the profanation of the Temple by Antiochus when he caused that abominable idol of Iuppiter Olympius to be brought into the Temple and the daily sacrifice to cease 1. Macchab. 1. 57. 2. Macchab. 6. 2. And hereof mention is made before c. 8. 13. and 11. 31. likewise c. 9. 27. but there the abomination of desolation is spoken of which should be set vp in the finall destruction of the citie and Temple by the Romanes as is shewed c. 9. quest 88. Quest. 25. The 1290. dayes mentioned v. 11. how to be taken 1. Lyranus taketh this to be the tearme of Antichrists tyrannicall raigne in the ende of the world euen 3. yeares 6. moneths and 12. dayes so also Pererius but he counteth onely 10. odde dayes so also Pintus with other Romanists thinke that Antichrist shall raigne 3. yeares and an halfe but as Bullinger saith it is not like that Antichrists kingdome should continue ad tempus vsque adeo breue for so verie a short time 2. Bullinger sheweth how the Iewes warre before the finall destruction of the citie begunne by Vespasian in the 14. yeare of Nero his raigne and ending the second yeare of Vespasian continued about a 1290. dayes that is 3. yeare and an halfe but the text is that these dayes must beginne from the time of that abhominable desolation and continue onely during that time but after these warres which held 3. yeares and an halfe that desolation of the citie and Temple beganne which then ended not but continueth vnto this day 3. Some by so many dayes vnderstand so many yeares a 1290. yeares so long Osiander thinketh that the profanation of religion should continue vnder the Romane Antichrist from the first beginning thereof vnto the vtter ruine of Antichrist But we trust that God will not suffer that man of
sinne so long to afflict his Church 4. Some vnderstand here no certaine but an indefinite and vnlimited time as Oecolamp multiplicatione dierum longum tempus Antichristianae impietatis agnoscas by the multiplying of dayes knowe that the time of Antichrists impietie shall be long so also Calvin by this number of dayes thinketh that tempus immensum a great time is signified 5. Pellican contrariwise inferreth magnus numerus sed breue tempus significat a great number of dayes but it signifieth a short time that the Iewes sacrifices should not long continue after Christs death But in that this number receiueth an addition of 45. dayes which make with the former summe a 1335. dayes it is euident that a certaine time is hereby signified 6. Wherefore that which he called before a time two times and an halfe is here explained to be 1290. dayes that is 3. yeares 7. moneths and about 13. dayes which must beginne from the profanation of the Temple by Antiochus which was in the 145. yeare the 15. of Casleu which was the ninth moneth 1. Mac. 1. 57. and must ende 45. dayes before Antiochus death Iunius setteth downe the time precisely when the 1290. dayes ended in the 15. day of the moneth Xanthicus which is the 11. moneth in 48. yeare when Antiochus by his publike edict and writing confirmed and ratified the Iewes religion restored by Iudas Macchabeus But the time will not agree if we beginne from the profanation of the Temple from the 15. of the 9. moneth Casleu in the 45. yeare from whence to the 15. of the 11. moneth Xanticus in the 48. yeare are but 3. yeares and iust 2. moneths therefore Iunius in his commentarie to helpe this beginneth the profanation of the Temple in the 15. day of the 4. moneth in the 145. yeare and citeth 1. Macchab. 1. and so the time will agree but there the moneth Casleu is named 1. macchab 1. 57. which was the ninth not the 4. moneth 1. Macchab. 4. 52. therefore I rather with Polanus thinke that the 1290. dayes determine at such time as Iudas Macchabeus had prosperous successe against the Ammonites with their captaine Timotheus after he had cleansed the Temple and Antiochus himselfe was forced to suffer the Iewes to enioy their libertie and religion and this was 45. dayes before the death of Antiochus though the precise and particular time be not expressed in storie Quest. 26. The tearme of 1335. dayes expounded 1. This tearme of 45. dayes added to the former number of a 1290. dayes maketh it a 1335. dayes so many dayes after the death and slaughter of Antichrist shall Christ come in his maiestie Hierome with whom consenteth herein Pererius and the Romanists in generall because they thinke by this meanes to free the Pope from this imputation to be Antichrist But this opinion cannot stand 1. they cannot assigne the right cause why these 45. dayes should be giuen after the death of Antichrist Theodoret thinketh that in this space Henoch and Elias shall preach vnto the world but Hyppolitus holdeth and so the Romanists generally that they shall be slaine by Antichrist some thinke this respite shall be giuen for the repentance of the world but 45. dayes is a small tearme for repentance God gaue the old world an 120. yeares for their repentance 2. if Christ shall come to iudge the world iust 45. dayes after the death of Antichrist then the verie day of Christs comming may be knowne before which is contrarie to the Scripture 3. Lyranus thus argueth that whereas at the comming of Christ there shall be great peace and securitie eating and drinking and feasting this great securitie would aske a larger space then of 45. dayes 2. Lyranus noteth that some Hebrewes take these dayes for so many yeares that after the setting vp of that abhomination in the Temple there should be a 1335. yeares to the comming of their Messiah But they are herein much deceiued for if they reckon from the setting vp of the idol by Antiochus in the Temple which was as Eusebius counteth in the 153. Olympiad there are runne aboue a 1700. yeares if from the last setting vp of the image of Adrian which was in the yeare of the Lord an 140. according to Eusebius then are there expired aboue a 1460. yeares from thence 3. M. Calvin thinketh that this addition of 45. dayes signifieth no certaine time but onely hereby is signified that although the time seeme to be prolonged for the deliuerance of the Church yet the godly should waite with patience so also Oecolampad Pellican But this adding and putting to of one number to another euidently sheweth that a certaine summe of yeares or dayes is intended 4. Melancthon putteth both these numbers of a 1290. and a 1335. together which make 7. yeares and three moneths which tearme he beginneth in 145. yeare of the Greeks and endeth in the 151. yeare when Nicanor was ouercome But these two numbers haue the same beginning from the time that the daily sacrifice should cease 5. Some by these two summes put together vnderstand so many yeares namely two thousand six hundred and odde whereof 6. hundred were expired at Christs comming and two thousand should runne out afterward But who can define whether the world shall yet continue 400. yeares the day yeare or houre is not reuealed 6. Osiander thinketh this last summe of a 1335. yeares to be set for the continuance of the kingdome of Antichrist vnderstanding so many yeares but he thinketh it is not known when this tearme taketh beginning because God would haue the time of Christs comming to iudgement kept secret But neither shall the kingdome of Antichrist continue so many years neither doth this prophesie properly but by way of analogie cōcerne the latter times 7. Bullinger taketh these 45. dayes to beginne from the taking of the citie for immediately after many were sold into captiuitie condemned vnto the mines and stone quarries some reserued for triumph therefore he should be thought an happie man that suruiued vnto the ende of these dayes But these miseries of the Iewes continued longer then 45. dayes or 40. yeares after the destruction of the citie and what happinesse could there be vnto that nation to see their Temple and citie layed wast 8. Therefore these 45. dayes added to the former summe are prescribed to shewe the death of Antiochus which was in the 149. yeare as 1. Macchab. 6. 16. though the verie moneth and day of his death be not expressed in that historie yet it is without question that it was 45. dayes after the religion of the Iewes was restored and their state setled Iun. Polanus Thus haue we fowre tearmes set downe concerning the persecution of Antiochus 1. 2300. dayes c. 8. 14. which maketh 6. yeares 3. moneths and 20. dayes which comprehendeth the whole time from the first beginning of that persecution before the Sanctuarie was defiled see more hereof c. 8. quest 24. 2. there is a time two times and a
we denie not but that here the warres betweene the Christians and Saracens may be shadowed forth by some analogie or allusion but that is not the historicall intendment of this prophesie for here the king of the North is set forth as a conqueror ouer the king of the South comming against him like a whirlewind But those attempts of the Christian Princes against the Saracens came to small effect neither did the Pope himselfe in person goe against the Saracens and Turkes though those warres were taken in hand by his counsell and perswasion 2. Though Egypt were ioyned vnto Syria in one continued continent yet Antiochus might and did assault the same both by Sea and land he had his armie vpon the land and his nauie vpon the Sea when he assaulted the two brethren at Alexandria as Livie writeth lib. 5. decad 5. Neither is it here said that he by shippes inuaded the pleasant land but onely it is set downe thus v. 41. he shall enter also into the pleasant land Neither is it true that Iudea is altogether separated from the Sea and without the command thereof for Iaakob prophesieth thus of Zebulun Gen. 49. 13. Zebulun shall dwell by the Sea side and shall be an hauen for shippes and his border shall be vnto Zidon The 7. Exercise Wherein Graserus expoundeth the 41. verse and taketh vpon him to prooue that it can not be vnderstood of the expedition of Antiochus against Iudea but of the attempts of the Bishop of Rome against the Saracens Argum. 1. Graserus first confuteth their opinion who thinke all this to be vnderstood of the king of the South that he should enter into the land of Palestina applying it to the Saracens who possessed that countrey But this he well sheweth can not be so for the king of the North is brought in as the principall the king of the South is mentioned but by occasion of the other as it were by an accident and therefore the storie still runneth vpon the acts and exploits of the king of the North. p. 148. 149. Then he commeth to examine Iunius opinion that interpreteth all this of Antiochus who in his returne out of Egypt inuaded Iudea but spared the Edomites Moabites and the chiefe of the Ammonites as confederate with him His reasons are these 1. If by the pleasant land were here meant the land of Iudea why is it not described by that name in all this whole propheticall vision of Antiochus wherein so many attempts of his are described against the Iewes this therefore sheweth that by this name giuen vnto that land some other thing is signified 2. And if the Moabites and Edomites be here meant who were in such league and amitie with Antiochus that they ayded him in his warres and Iudas Macchabeus was reuenged vpon them as his enemies it could not be said of them that they escaped out of his hands which phrase rather presupposeth some former hostilitie and persecution out of the which they hardly escaped 3. And why should he say the first and chiefe of the Ammonites if the Edomites and Moabites were wholly spared who were as in the heart of Syria why should the first and nearer parts of the Ammonites onely escape whose countrey is extended to Arabia Graser p. 353. 354. Ans. 1. Iudea is before described by this name of the pleasant land v. 16. when Antiochus the great father to Antiochus Epiphanes first subdued it therefore Iudea beeing before expressed by that name is most likely also to be signified here the reason why in the prophesie of Antiochus expeditions against the people of God it is described by other names as the holy couenant and Sanctuarie is because Antiochus sought more to deface their religion then to inuade their land 2. The Edomites and Moabites are said to escape his hand not as though he attempted any thing against them but because their countries lying and bordering vpon Palestina were in danger also to haue beene smitten and oppressed by him but that he spared them as his confederates so they are saide to escape in regard of their present danger in respect of the nearnes of the place 3. The reason is euident why onely the first and nearest of the Ammonites doe escape because their countrey was more remote from Syria then Edom and Moab was extending to Arabia and therefore the nearest parts of the Ammonites were most in danger see before c. 11. qu. 48. Argum. 2. Further Graserus would prooue by the phrase and words that Antiochus inuading of Iudea is not here meant 1. By the inuading of the pleasant land such warre is here vnderstood in quo de terrae illius possâ—ssione praecipuum certamen fuit wherein the chiefest strife was about the possession of that land Now Antiochus had that land in subiection before he now sought onely to roote out their religion But this very well agreeth to those holy warres made betweene the Christians and Saracens which was for the possession of that countrey 2. Againe the king of the South and North stroue about this countrey but Ptolome letted not Antiochus neither resisted him in his proceedings against Iudea 3. It is saide that many shall be ouerthrowne which is fitly applied to those bloodie warres betweene the Christians and Saracens wherein so much blood was shedde as Vrspergensis writeth vt in ipsius Templi pavimento is equorum genua attigerit that in the pauement of the Temple it tooke the horse vp to the knees 4. And whereas the word rabbath many is put in the feminine gender here may very well be vnderstood the word keholoth Churches because indeede many Churches should be ruinated and made desolate at the comming of Antichrist pag. 355. to p. 362. Ans. 1. Antiochus did not onely pollute and defile the Sanctuarie but he made hauocke also of the cities and countrey for his captaines spoiled Ierusalem set it on fire cast downe the houses and the walls and tooke the women and children captiue 1. Macchab. 1. 33. 34. Neither were those bloodie and most cruell warres betweene the Christians and Saracens taken in hand onely vpon a ciuill respect to possesse the countrey of Iudea but because they had a superstitious opinion of that countrey as beeing counted more holy then other at the instigation of the Pope those troublesome warres were vndertaken whereupon they were called the holy warres 2. Neither is it here said that the king of the North and South stroue about this countrey but onely that the king of the North shall inuade it and enter into it as before he set himselfe against the holy couenant v. 29. 31. which thing Antiochus did in his returne out of Egypt he set vpon Iudea 3. Because many did fall in those warres it followeth not that they therefore should be comprehended here it is not enough for one of the partes of this propheticall description to agree but all must be made to accord 4. We neede not seeke for any strange word here to
rumors which troubled them were the euill newes which was brought them how Crassus was vanquished at Carras and Antonie also after that was there foyled with all the power of the Romanes But this text speaketh of one particular man whose ende is described it cannot be referred then to a whole state or Monarchie 3. These rumors M. Bullinger thinketh to be the tydings brought to the Romane Antichrist concerning the warres of the Turke whereupon Gregor the 2. combined all Christian princes to ioyne together against the common enemie the Turke which was the beginning of those long and bloodie warres called the holy warres 4. Osiander and Pappus vnderstanding here also the Romane Antichrist by these rumors thinke to be meant the preaching of the Gospel which beganne in the parts of Germanie which are East and North vnto Rome But though this prophesie analogically may be applyed to Antichrist yet there is another historicall meaning as shall be shewed afterward 5. Melancthon will haue the Turke here to be described who shall be terrified with rumors that is whereas by humane force he could not be resisted the Lord from heauen shall stay his rage But we must not deferre the fulfilling of this prophesie so long it serued specially for the comfort of those times 6. These rumors then were the tidings of warres which were brought vnto Antiochus and drewe him out of Egypt these rumors from the East were of the Parthians which inuaded his kingdome and from the north of the Romanes whose nauies and shippes were in the coasts of Cilicia Iun. annot who in his commentarie thinketh that these rumours were onely of the ouerthrowe of his captaines in Iudea while he was in Persia the newes whereof was brought him both to Persepolis which was in the East and to Ecbatane in the North 2. Macchab 9. 2. 3. Porphyrius by these rumors vnderstandeth the fame of warres which were intended against him from the East by Artaxias king of Armenia But Polanus better ioyneth these together that first the rising of the Parthians and Persians troubled him which was the cause that brought him into that countrey and beeing there he was much more vexed hearing of the euill successe that his captaines Timotheus and Bacchides had in Iudea whom Iudas Macchabeus vanquished and slewe at one time 20. thousand of their armie see 2. Macchab. 8. 30. and c. 9. 3. 2. The second precedent of Antiochus ruine was his great wrath and indignation with the which he went forth and destroyed many But this is likewise diuersely interpreted 1. Hierome vnderstands it of Antichrists rage against those which shal not receiue his decrees so also Pererius 2. M. Calvin of Augustus Caesar who ouercame the Parthians and recouered that which Antonie had lost 3. M. Bullinger of the combination made by Pope Gregorie 2. whetting and stirring vp Christian Princes to take in hand the warres for the holy land 4. Osiander of the cruell rage of Antichrist against the preachers of the gospell Luther with others the rumor whereof troubled him 5. Melancthon of the rage of the Turke 6. Porphyrius of the ouerthrowe which Antiochus gaue to Artaxiaâ— king of Armenia subduing also the Aradians and Phenicians in the way 7. But the euent of this prophesie sheweth that this cruell rage of Antiochus was but against the Iewes intending to make an vtter destruction and desolation of them as is declared 1. Macchab. 3. 27. when king Antiochus heard these tidings he was angrie in his minde wherefore he sent forth and gathered all the power of his realme a verie strong armie and what he intended against them is further shewed v. 35. 36. 37. 3. Then followeth the third ominous and precedent signe of the planting of the tabernacles of his palace betweene the Seas in the glorious and holy moâ—ntaine 1. Aquila maketh Apadno which signifieth his tabernacle a proper name and Saba he maketh the name of an hill the holy mountaine Saba which is translated glorious so likewise Thâ—dotian interpreteth whom Theodoret followeth taking Apadno to be the name of a place neere to Ierusalem where Antichrist shall be ouerthrowne But it is euident that the word tzebi glorious is here no proper name as before it is an epithite giuen vnto Iudea and as Hierome noteth aphadno is compounded of two words aphad which signifieth a throne and no his 2. Hierome therefore giueth this sense whom Lyranus Pintus Pererius followe that Antichrist shall pitch his tabernacle in Iudea betweene the two Seas the dead Sea and Mediterranean Sea in the holy mountaine mount Sion or mount Oliuer where Christ ascended where Antichrist shall be ouerthrowne of which mountaine Hierome lib. de locis hebraic telleth two strange things that in mount Oliuet in his time were to be seene the print of Christs feete on the ground where he last stood when he ascended and beside in the same place where Christ is thought to haue ascended there is a Church which will not endure a roofe or couering vpon it But I will leaue the credit of these strange reports to those which haue seene those countreys which doe finde no such thing either Herome might be too credulous in reporting such things or some forging finger hath thrust it in If this report haue no more truth then that other conceit of Antichrists spreading his palace in mount Oliuet they are both meere fables 3. Porphyrius taketh these two Seas to be Tigris and Euphrates and Apadno to be the name of a place betweene those riuers and this mountaine he thinketh to be in Elymais Armenia or Mesopotamia where Antiochus pitched his pauilion But though this prophesie were historically fulfilled in Antiochus wherein he gesseth right yet the other are but his fansies by two Seas to vnderstand two riuers and why should any such hill among the idotrous Persians be called holy vnles he thinke it were for the superstitious adoration of some Gentile idols there which the spirit of God would neuer in that respect haue called holy 4. Some applying this to the Turke doe shewe how his seate at Constantinople is betweene the two Seas Aegeum and Euxinum where sometime the Church of God was called the holy mountaine Melancthon M. Calvin sheweth how the Romanes set their palace and dominion in those countreys and especially in Iudea after they had quieted those parts But this prophecie was not deferred so long as to reach vnto the Turkes and it is euident that some singular person is here described whose ende is foreshewed therefore not the whole state of the Romanes 5. Some doe interpret it of the Romane Antichrist whose seate is betweene the two Seas Tyrrhenum and Adriaticum and they thinke Rome to be called the holy mountaine because sometime there Paul planted a famous Church Osiand Pappus But though this by way of application may be referred to Antichrist that is not the originall and historicall sense and it seemeth to be somewhat hard to call the seate of Antichrist great Babylon
the citie of abhominations the holy mountaine 6. Oecolampadius likewise here vnderstanding Antichrist taketh this holy mountaine for the Church of God which was prefigured by Iudea which was situate betweene the two Seas the dead Sea and the mediterrane sea But it is euident that the glorious mountaine is here taken for Iudea as it is called before the beautifull or glorious land v. 16. 41. 7. Iunius in his commentarie taketh Apadno for Mesopotamia for he saith that countrey was called Apadan as Theodotian retaineth the same word Apadon and there Antiochus pitched his pauilion betweene the Seas among the Chalde fennes and in the holy mountaine he interpreteth when they went against the holy mountaine that is Iudea which was an hilly countrey And this may seeme some probabilitie hereof because the word padan is taken for Mesopotamia in Scripture which commeth somewhat neere the word aphadno But the two seas cannot properly be said to be fennes And the verie description of the holy mountaine betweene the two Seas sheweth that Iudea is vnderstood by the right situation thereof 8. Some doe thinke that Antiochus himselfe returning out of Persia was entring into the borders and confines of Iudea when he was stricken of God and then he pitched his princely tents betweene the dead sea and the Mediterranean so Polanus out of Iosephus who thus writeth that Iudas Macchabeus eum in sines Iudaeae ingredientem vehementissima plaga percussum repressit c. did recoile him or driue him backe entring into the borders of Iudea beeing striken with a great plague c. lib. 1. de bello Iudaic. c. 1. But this cannot stand with that report 1. Macchab. 9. 4. that Antiochus fell sicke in Babylon and their died he was dead then before he came neere Iudea and he could not spread his tents there after he was returned from Persia wherefore either Iosephus writeth here somewhat loosely and slenderly of this matter as he doth elsewhere or he speaketh of some other foyle that Iudas gaue vnto Antiochus and not at that time when he had beene in Persia. 9. Wherefore the meaning is this that not Antiochus should pitch his pauilion in his owne person but his viceroy Lysias with whom he had left his sonne Antiochus and halfe of his armie and made him gouernour in his absence of all his kingdome from Euphrates to the borders of Egypt then he pitched in Emmaus with the kings forces 1. Macchab. 3. v. 32. 40. H. Br. in Daniel which was since called Nicopolis which though it be said to be in the plaine yet there the hilly tract beginneth that extendeth to Ierusalem the mount Oliuet not beeing aboue a mile from Emmaus Lyran. Hugo the two Seas are the dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea which are the limites of Iudea Iun. Quest. 51. Of the sudden and fearefull ende of Antiochus v. 45. He shall come to his ende and none shall helpe him 1. Hierome thus deliuereth the sense that Antichrist shall goe vp to the toppe of mount Oliuet for so he readeth veniet ad summitatem eius he shall come to the height thereof that is of mount Oliuet whereon he shall be confounded And this he would prooue by that place Isay 25. 7. I will destroy in this mountaine the couering that couereth all people c. But the meaning of this place is that Christ of whom the Prophet there speaketh who shall prepare a spirituall feast which is mentioned in the former verse by the preaching of the gospell shall remoue the couering of ignorance and darkenesse which had ouerspread the world And the Prophet there nameth not mount Oliuet but hath reference to that mount spoken of c. 24. 23. which was mount Sion a figure of the Church which should be illuminate with the knowledge of Christ. 2. and the text speaketh not of the ende of the mountaine but of Antiochus ende when his time was come which was limited of God 2. Some proceed yet further and shew the manner how Antichrist shall be ouerthrown that first he shall faine himselfe dead and rise againe the third day and then vpon mount Oliuet he shall make as though he would ascend into heauen and so shall be lifted vp into the aire by the helpe of the deuill and his Angels at which instant he shal be destroyed by Christ from heauen by the spirit of his mouth as the Apostle speaketh 2. Thess. 2. Percrius Some adde further the particular manner how Antichrist shall be destroyed as the author of the scholasticall historie saith ascendente per aera Antichristo audietur vox Christi de coelo missa morcre as Antichrist is ascending into the aire there shall come a voice from heauen die and presently he shall be smitten with lightening and perish so also Lyran. But Lactantius is yet more bold who thus describeth the destruction of Antichrist that he with an huge armie shall compasse about the Saints in a mountaine whether they fled then they shall call vpon God for his helpe And presently the heauens shall open and lightening shall breake forth and this shall be a signe of the Lords descending cadet repente gladius a sword shall suddenly fall from heauen and then Antichrist shall be ouercome by the Angels and all his power he onely shall escape sed quarto praelio debellatus c. but he in the fourth battell with all his host shall be subdued and then shall suffer worthie punishment for his wickednesse to this purpose Lactantius lib. 7. institution c. 17. 18. But 1. beside that these shewe great bouldnesse in thus expounding taking vpon them without warrant of Scripture to expresse the verie forme of words which shal then be vsed and the verie signes which shall be shewed 2. herein further they faile in confounding the two ouerthrowes of Antichrist which the Apostle doth separate for first he saith whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth that is by his word and the finall destruction followeth and abolish with the brightnesse of his comming 2. Thessal 2. 8. first Antichrists hypocrisie shall be discouered by the preaching of the Gospel which is alreadie fulfilled but the remainder of his kingdome shall be reserued for the iudgement of the great day 3. They which vnderstand this of the Turkish Monarchie as Melancthon or of the Antichrist of Rome as Bulling Osiand or of the Romane state as Calvin are confuted by this argument because here the destruction of one particular man is set forth as in the precedent part the prophesie runneth still vpon one principall agent in the warres before mentioned 4. Iunius in his annotations vnderstanding all this of Antiochus doth thus interpret these words he shall come to the ende that is of his kingdome namely to Persepolis in Elymais which was in the vtmost bounds of his dominion But in his commentarie he better expoundeth it of the ende of his life so also Polan H. Br. Porphyrius though an enemie to the Christian faith