as cost John many tears to understand Rev. 5.4 This Consideration makes me cry out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oh the depth of the Wisdom of God Rom. 11.33 It causeth me to admire the profoundity of the Scripture to kiss the Book and to lay it down and to weep over my own Ignorance and to cry Oh when shall I know as I am known 1 John 4.2 Gal. 4.9 307. The 2d Consideration is the mistakes that so many famous lights of the Church have been found in about it Some out-living their own Conjectures and finding them false have been constrained to confess that they were on the dark side of the Cloud when they wrote them Others though not living so long hath yet been confuted by time which is the surest comment upon dark Prophesies the 3d. Consideration is the Consciousness I have of my own inability for so great a Work which would pinch the Shoulders of an Angel if it be said who is sufficient for these things 2 Cor. 2.16 much less poor I that am less then all the Servants of God 308. Yet that which encourages me against those Discouragments is that all sufficiency comes from God 2 Cor. 3.5 that he hath promised his Spirit to them that ask him Luk. 11.13 that this Spirit doth removere prohibentia and applicare auxiliatoria that the Lord puts Treasure into Oyster shells 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 4.7 and conveys water of Life through a Leaden Pipe as well as through Golden ones that he hath promis'd blessedness to such as Read and Search this Book Rev. 1.3 and his Spirit of Truth to guide into all Truth Joh. 16.13 I would therefore come forth in the Strength of the Lord Psal 71.16 and plow with his Heifer to find out his Riddle Judg. 14.18 309. I how shall assay this great Work according to the best Light the Father of Light gives by whose help a Lamb may swim where an Elephant may sink down into the bottom and 1st Negatively according to my propounded Method the first Opinion I have to speak to is that of our Godly Martyrologist Mr. Fox whose notion I cannot assent to for those following Reasons 1. His changing Months into Weeks seems not to hold a clear consonancy with the ordinary current of Scripture which of puts Days for Years as Num. 14. â—…4 and Ezek. 4.5,6 but never that I know of are Months put for Weeks 310. My 2d Reason is that the Revelation is a general Prophecy of occurences to come from Johns time to the end of the World beginning at the 4th Chap. to the end of the Book as the 3 first Chap. contain 7. Epistles to 7. particular Churches which were then in being Christ comes to shew John things that must shortly come to pass Rev. 1.1 and the the time was at hand when those things Represented to him in a Vision should begin to be put in Execution v. 3. then Ch. 4. v. 1. Christ calls up John saying come up hither and I will shew thee things that must be hereafter 311. Now those two things being seriously ponder'd 1. That the Revelation is not an History of things past but a Prophecy of things to come which were to Commence after Johns writing it in regard of their first beginning and 2ly That John wrote this Book about 94 Years after Christ thence I say it may strongly be concluded that the Persecution of John Baptist by Herod can be no part of this Prophetical Vision being a dispensation long before executed and preceded in time not only all the parts of the Prophecy but also the 7. Churches then in being 312. I shall add other Reasons in the sequel against this Opinion as it hath a coincidency with that of Dr. Beards about the Pagan Empire it shall suffice now to say that as Simon Magus could not be the Antichrist spoken of in the Revelation because that was a story that was expir'd long before the writing of this Prophetick Book as before is spoke of in the 15. and 16. Paragraph so much less can that Persecution of the Church before Christs death be any part of that Persecution foretold of in the Revelation which Christ after he was dead and lived again Rev. 1.5.18 shew'd to John should afterwards come to pass 313. Yet the Sanctity of this Godly Mr. Fox being so famously known and his saying that he receiv'd it in a solemn manner by Divine Revelation and the event likewise so aptly corresponding thereunto being all well weighed his Opinion may not be scurrilously derided as it is by some Romish Authors which hath more probability and Reason it than a multitude of their idle dreams and phantastick imaginations but rather cum grano salis may be charitably embraced as a fair Gloss upon the place among many other Glosses of Holy and Learned Men. 314. The 2d Opinion of Dr. Beards I cannot close with neither for those following Reasons First The two Apocaliptick Beasts must contemporize 1. Because the latter Beast is said to exercise all his Power in the Presence of the first Beast 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Revel 13.12 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 v. 14. both which expressions makes the 2. Beasts Contemporary but the Pagan and Antichristian Empire succeeded one another in a long distance of time and so Antichrist shew'd no wonders in the Presence of the Pagan Empire 315. Again 2ly 't is very probable the 2d Beast is call'd the false Prophet Revel 19.20 having the same description there that is found in Revel 13.12.14 that wrought Miracles before him to wit the 1st Beast so that in Rev. 19.20 we see the Beast and his Chaplain to wit the 1st and 2d Beast both taken together and cast into the Lake of Fire burning with Brimstone as two Inseperable Companions they are neither seperated in their Rise nor in their Ruine but it is commonly known that Antichrist did not Rise before the Pagan Empire was Ruin'd For that was the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that letted him from appearing 2 Thess 2.6.7 there was no Room for Antichrist at Rome while it was the Seat of Pagan Emperors 316. Thus my first Argument or Reason being thus strengthen'd with these two Illustrations conludes effectually against the Doctors Opinion that the first Beast is not the Roman Empire see more of this Subject in Paragr 145. 146. neither in respect of its Continuance nor Persecution My 2d Reason is the Roman Empire and this Beast have two differing descriptions as both Mr. Mede and Mr. Cotton c. observes for the Roman Pagan Empire is describ'd Rev. 12.3 with 7. Heads and Ten Horns as this first Beast is but with this difference in Rev. 12. the 7. Heads had 7. Crowns on their Heads but in Rev. 13.1 the Crowns are not on the Heads but on the Horns which maketh a great difference both in Place and Number for in Rev. 12. but 7. Crowns but in Rev. 13.1 there be Ten. 317. A 3d
God and now already fulfilled by him 346. If there be controversie about beginning those Accounts though of Dispensations that are past and of Promises that are fulfilled amongst the best Chronologers at this day How much more difficult must it needs be to pitch upon a certain period of Time for the fall of Antichrist which is a dispensation yet to come and the promise hereof only expected to be accomplished The highest attainment of notions herein can but amount to a probable Conjecture and the many Mistakes of good Men that are extant at this day doth much confirm it Aliena errata me cautum faciunt Other mens mistakes make me wary 350. To find out therefore by Scripture-light what I conceive most probable about this great Subject I shall wave those numbers of Daniel which so many have insisted on as before manifested because they are obvious to sundry Exceptions As that they have already had their accomplishment in Antiochus c. and keep to the Apocaliptick number against which no such exception can be made 351. The Apocaliptick Number being taken for granted to hold out the undoubted Term or Lease of Antichrists Reign in the world to wit 42 Months which being dissolved by Reduction into days allowing 30 days to a month according to the old account make up the just sum of 1260 Days Those two Computations of 42 Months and 1260 Days being granted to be one and the same for though they be mentioned apart in Rev. 12.6 ch 13.5 yet are those two numbers put together in Rev. 11.2,3 that by this linking them together all doubt might be taken away in accounting the 42 Months to be the same Computation with 1260 Days 352. And it being taken pro Concesso likewise that those 1260 Days are not Solar days either Natural of 24 hours or Artificial from Sun-rise to Sun-set but Prophetical days as in Daniels Week or 7 Days which signifie 7 Years Dan. 9.24,26 So 30 Days for 30 Y. and 1260 Days for 1260 Years as 70 seven-nights of Days signifie in the Prophet 490 Y. thus also in Ezek. 4.5,6 and Num. 14.34 ut supra Upon this Hypothesis I build my Conjecture about the Ruin of Antichrist granting him according to Gods Lease to him 1260 Y. to continue in the World 353. Now for guiding us in this intricate Labyrinth of Reckoning the continuance of Antichrists Kingdom the Holy Ghost hath given us some certain Hints and Intimations which like Ariadne'e Threed may help us herein for the greatest knot of difficulty in this Work hath evermore been acknowledged to find out where to foot the account Now may we but meet with direction from Scripture where the Epocha or Root of this Account must begin it will be manifest enough where to end it namely at the Expiration of those 1260 Years CHAP. XIII 354. THe first of those Scriptural Hints or Intimations for footing our Accompt is in Rev. 17.12 from the rising of the 10 Kingdoms The Holy Ghost saith expresly there that the ten Kings should receive power as Kings one hour with the Beast which phrase implies that they both had their Rise about the same time and in the same Age 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is in some Readings at one hour as in Joh. 4.52 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is translated at the 7th hour and this Reading plainly imports that the 10 Kings rose with the Beast and the Beast rose with the 10 Kings at one and the same hour the 10 Kings be the 10 Horns of the Beast that beareth them 355. And though in the course of Nature horns do grow up after the Beast be come forth into the World yet 't is not so in this monstruous Beast for he brings his horns with him Rev. 13.1 the Beast that bears the Horns and the 10 Horns rise together at one hour and now our work is to make enquiry when the Ten horn received their power 〈◊〉 Kings Chronicles doth shew us how the Goths and Vandals broke off from the Imperial Yoke sundry Nations which were subject to it and gave opportunity to set up those ten Kingdoms which remain in Europe to this day 356. Those ten Horns rose not all at once but gradually as was observed before of the Beast that bears them now the first rising of any of those Horns was in the days of the Emperor Honorius about the Y. of Christ 410. when the Emperor being driven away from his Imperial Seat by those barbarous Nations was constrained for the recovering of Rome again to allow them by Covenant to set up a Kingdom in France that was the 1st Horn and about the Y. 415. the same Honorius was forced to allow the like in Spain and by the Y. 456. all the 10 Horns who gave their Kingdoms to the Beast were up 357. This is not only confirmed to us by Sigonius Sleidan Orosius Alsted Pareus c. but also by the Jesuit Petavius in his Rationarii Temporum parte primâ lib. 6. pag. 275. writing thus Alaricum ut averteret Honorius Gallias Hispanias ei concessit c. Now after that Gensericus the Vandal had spoiled Rome about the Year 456. or not much after not only those two Horns of France and Spain were extant but the whole Empire appear'd to be divided into ten Kingdoms which 〈◊〉 had all one mind and gave their power and strength to the Beast Rev. 17.13 that he should rule in their Dominions and so though they had the title of Kings yet they obey'd rather then ruled 358. Now if we take this hint and character of the Holy Ghost and reckon from it not from the appearance of the first of those Horns about 410. though then was laid the foundation of the Beasts Kingdom but from the time that all the 10 Horns were set up for he is represented in his Rising as a compleat Beast having 7 Heads to plot with and 10 Horns to push with against the Church of God those ten horns or Kingdoms must set up Antichrist and those ten Horns were all come forth about the Y. 456. to which if we add those 1260 Y. it will make Antichrists period to fall out about 1716. 359. I must acknowledge this Rev. 17.12 will admit of various Interpretations as this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may be taken indefinitely for a short space as in those Phrases this is your hour and the power of darkness Luke 22.53 and the hour of temptation Rev. 3.10 and tho we take it thus it is yet comfortable for neither the Pope nor his ten Horns shall abide for ever 't is but for a short space v. 10. but for an hour t is but short to God though long to us and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may be read after the Beast as signifying those ten Kingdoms rose after Antichrist but we read it not so and however t is not long after t is but an hour after they both rise in the same Age this Beast puts forth his horns betimes
of the Sealed Book was matter of great joy for then the Elders took their Harps and blessed God ver 5. 6 8 9. to find out the due Date of the Promises and Prophecies of the latter day is the design of this Manual wherein you have a brief Landskip representing the very Quintessence of the most Illuminated Authors upon this Subject and which gives you a prospect of such Varieties in a few hours as cost its Author many Days Weeks Months and Years hard Study Thus a little Map represents a large Countrey at one view which will take up much time to travel over Oh Search the Scriptures Joh. 5.39 as Tradesmen do their Shop-Books and let not the Bible lie moulding beside you If the rustiness of Gold witness against men at the last day Jam. 5.3 why not the mustiness of Books especially of the Bible Oh consider what is said here and the Lord give you Vnderstanding in all so prayeth Yours in the best bonds Christopher Ness Aug. 25. 79. Books published by the Author 1. THe Crown and Glory of a Christian 2. A Christians Walk and Work on Earth till he come to Heaven 3. A Protestant Antedote against the Poison of Popery 4. A Chrystal Mirrour or Christian Looking-Glass Discovering the Treason and Treachery of the Heart A DISTINCT DISCOVERY OF The Person and Period OF ANTICHRIST CHAP. I. 1. SUch is the tender love of our blessed Redeemer to his dear Spouse the Church that he hath foretold her of all future Calamities that should befall her in succeeding Generations in the Revelation wherein not onely the fata imperij the destinies of the Empire are revealed but also the fata ecclesiae the concernments of the Church and the former are discovered for the sake of the latter many great persons and affairs of the world are indeed Recorded in Scripture which had been as many others are passed over in silence save only that they are in ordine ad Ecclesiam relating to his Church but especially Christ hath forewarnd his Church of that great Calamity by Antichristianism that she might be forearmed against it 2. The Church of God is always under some divine prophecy under some part of those unalterable decrees of Heaven that were unseald and reveal'd by Christ to John and which have their orderly execution in a continued Series of Providence in the world thus Christ told his servant that the Churches first Calamity after his white horse his Riding forth conquering and to Conquer in the Gospel should be those 10 persecutions under Rome Heathen Revel 6 3. to the end her Second after the dethroning of the Dragon in those Heathenish Emperors by Constantine the Great should be that flood of Arrianism that came out of the Dragons mouth when Rome was Christian Revel 12.9 13.15 This Heresie was so pestilential to the Church that it compelled even Christian Emperors to rage against Christian Congregations as if they had been tearing out their own bowels then the Churches third Calamity should be the double beast Political and Ecclesiastical which like Samsons Foxes are tied together by the Tales and exercise the Cruelty of the Dragon under the 7th head against the Church making up the great Antichrist then became Rome Antichristian Revel 13.1 11. 3. There be sundry Enigmatical Intimations of this Antichrist in the Old Testament both in Persons Names and Titles all which bear at least a Resemblance of him as 1st in person Thus Daniel's Antiochus is made a Type of John's Antichrist by the most judicious Interpreters This Antiochus doth not only praefigure his Antitype in name whose name signifies an Adversary or Opposer but also in disposition and all manner of practice 1st in disposition Antiochus was crafty of an impudent face and ad omne malum inverecundus notoriously shameless so Antichrist hath a whores forehead out facing the day-light of the Gospel yea and the Sun of Righteousness himself daring him to the face 4. As Antiochus resembles this Antichrist in disposition so 2dly in practice as he war'd against Judas Macabaeus the Captain general of the people of God to wit the Jews so this Antichrist wages war against Christ the Captain General of the Church as Antiochus exalted and magnified himself above every God and spoke morvellous things against the God of gods Dan. 11.36 So doth Antichrist 2 Thess 2.4 As he took away the dayly sacrifice polluted the Sanctuary and set up the Abomination of Desolation so doth Antichrist as he bewitched many with fair Speeches so Antichrist deceives the world with his Intoxicating Cup of fornication 2 Thess 2.9 Lastly as he prosper'd till the Indignation was past Dan. 11.36 Even so must Antichrist do 5. Thus have we a representation of Antichrist in Daniel's proper name and person of Antiochus so secondly in Zacharie's appellative name or Periphrasis of a foolish Shepheard by way of eminency whom he foretells should arise in the Church as a punishment for rejecting Christ who should eat the flesh of the fat and become as ravenous as a cruel beast tearing their limbs asunder Zach. 11.13.15.16 This Hieroglyphick doth not only signifie those Theives and Robbers which were Shepherds over the Christ-killing Jews Joh. 10.10 but also that Grand-idol-shepheard 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 over the outward Court-Christians or Papagan Gentiles against whom God denounces this wo that his arm shall be dryed up and his right eye shall be utterly darkened v. 17. Cyprian makes the King of Babylon Esa 14. and Gregory makes Leviathan Job 41. to be the types of Antichrist 6. The 3d intimation out of the old Testament concerning the Antichrist is in the title prefixed to the 9th Psalm 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gnal Muth labben upon the death of the Son now who this Son should be is controverted Some makes it Absalon Davids own son this is improbable others understand it of Goliah more probably who was the son of perdition whom David calls O thou enemy v. 6. not onely a son of perdition actively as he was a destroying son having destroyed Cities but likewise passively made to be taken and destroyed his destruction of others should end in his own destruction he should sink down into the Pit v. 15. Thus Antichrist is call'd a Son of perdition 2 Thes 2.3 a Destroyer Rev. 11. and one that shall sink into the lake of Fire and Brimstone Rev. 17.8 and 19.20 when Christ shall overcome him as David did Goliah 7. To omit Daniels 4th Empire which was to be such a destroying beast as no name could sufficiently express it for the 1st he calls a Lyon the 2d a Bear the 3d. a Leopard but the 4th he names a Beast in General as if exceeding as well as including the Savage nature of all the three former Dan. 7.4,5,6,7,23 and other places of the Old-Test that hold forth at least obscure Representations of Antichrist let us now come to the New-Test where the Vail is done away and where he is
Antiochus his death Now all this he makes a Type of things to come looking on Antichrist in the New Test to be the Antitype of Antichrist in the Old and corresponding each with other in Nature and Circumstance 257. Hereupon he speaks to the Conjecture of some that because there be 45 days difference betwixt 1290. 1335. do gather from thence that after Antichrist it destroyed Christ will come in Glory at the end of 45 days but he answers to this that then it would be known by Daniels Prophecy when the day of Judgement is which is contrary to the Scripture of the New Testam Mat. 24.36 Luke 12.40 but rather thus saith he Christ by the brightness of his Coming will cleanse his Temple as Judas Macabaeus did and 45 days after he will slay Antichrist Here we have at least an obscure Intimation of the time of the fall of this Man of Sin 258. But more plainly Mr. Symonds Pastor of Roterdam reckons by Daniels Numerical Rule and observing how Julian the Apostate endeavoured to set up the Abomination-Temple of the Jews and to restore Judaism in despight of Christ himself whom he would have proved a Liar thereby and all those Christians that lived in his Empire how also Christ from heaven fought against his enterprize with Thunder and Lightning and with an Earthquake from below that cast up the very foundation which he had laid 259. Hereby Christ whom he would have prov'd a Liar fulfill'd his own Prophecy more fully then it was before That not only above ground but not so much as under ground one stone shall not be left upon another Mat. 24.2 Thus by a most eminent hand the Lord took away the Jews daily Sacrifice and rooted up their Abomination-Temple yea and at the same time the Delphich Temple of the Heathens was utterly destroyed to tell all the world that neither Judaism nor Paganism should be set up any more but the Kingdom of Christ 260. These transcendent Providences Mr. Symonds and others I say observing are thereby perswaded to begin this 1290 days or years at this Exploit of Julian which some say was in An. Dom. 360. and so the period of that Computation ends in 1650 Y. of Christ which is long ago expir'd only there is a reserve of 45 Years which prolongs this account to 1695. 261. There be other holy Men that cast their eye in this work not upon Daniels number only but on Johns also as Mr. Tilling-hast who begins his account of 1290 Years at the Rebuilding of the Jewish Temple by Julian which he says was in the Y. of Christ 366. to wit 6 Years lower than the former Calculation this for Daniels number but then the 1260 or the 42 Months which is Johns number he begins at the Year 396 after Christ 262. And he gives this reason for the latter because saith he at the Ye 396. was the time of the Beasts rise for then came in the Worshipping of Images Prohibition of Marriages Traditions and Antichrists exalting himself above the Magistrate Now both those Numbers to wit that of Daniels the Prophet of the Jewish Church holding out the time of the Rejection of the Jews and of Antichrists domineering over beleeving Gentiles jump exactly into one Period sc 1656 Y. which also is elapsed and yet no Vial it powred on the Seat of the Beast 263. Dr. Goodwin likewise goes this way comparing Daniels and Johns Prophecy together and making that Angel with the little book in Rev. 10. to be the same that appear'd to Daniel Dan. 12. for saith he both those Angels 1 use the same Ceremony to wit the lifting up of the right hand towards Heaven 2 both swearing the same Oath to wit by him that liveth for ever Dan. 12.7 and Rev. 10.5,6 3 both their Swearing hath one end about the same thing and to the same purpose 264. For that Prophecy of Daniel contains but more darkly the same things that the Revelation of John more clearly handles as namely the Tyranny of the 4th Monarchy and the oppression of the Church thereby First by the Empire then under the last head of it the Pope of whom Daniel had Prophecy'd Chap. 11. from v. 36. to the end after whose time ended should come in a fift Monarchy of the Saints as Ch. 7. all which things are more distinctly presented to us by John as namely under the 7th Trumpet after the time of the Pope ended a glorious Kingdom should come in Revel 11.15.17 265. And 4ly as they both agree in one subject matter so likewise in setting down the time determined of God how long this last head the Pope oppressing the Church should continue to wit for a time times and half a time Daniel mentioning it thus Darkly and Indefinitely and when this last head shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy People then all those things shall be fulfilled Dan. 12.7 but t is more clearly and distinctly mentioned by John as became a Revelation Chap. 11. so as indeed the 11th of Revelation is but an Explication of the 12th of Dan. for the better comfort of the Church 266. Then coming to pitch upon the time of Antichrists fall Dr. Goodwin concurs in his Conjectures with those that reckons by Daniels Number of 1290. Y. and fixing the beginning of this account in Julians time which was the last time both of the ceasing of the daily Sacrifice set up by him and a setting up Heathenish Idolatry in the World and he says we may not reckon from Titus Vespasians time who destroy'd the Temple for then the term is expired long ago 267. And he finding two Periods of time most chiefly pitcht upon by writers of this age for great changes in the Churches of Christ the one about 1656. and the other upon 1666. he I say falls in with both those Periods shewing how both may stand together for the 5. Vial saith he hath 2 several powrings forth of 2 several portions the one is the top and the other is the dregs or bottom The top of the Vial may be powr'd out in Y. 1656. to prepare for the other but in Y 1666. the dregs of its wrath shall fall on the Seat of the Beast 268. The latter of those Periods he reckons by Johns Number of 42. Months or 1260. Y. fixing the head of this account in the Year 406. after Christ when Pope Innocent the First challeng'd and Usurp'd Jurisdiction over all Churches Those two Numbers put together make exactly 1666. but the former of those Periods he reckons by Daniels Number of 1290. Years which he begins at Julians Exploit Y. 365. or 366. because accompts of Years since Julians attempt of building of the Temple is various which latter added to 1290. Y. makes exactly also 1656. according to his 1st Period 269. He proceeds further saying Daniel being inquisitive after the times when those things should he finished The Angel which is Christ saying Revel 11.3 I will give
Popery is but mans Wit and Invention 282. Now come we to the other Apocaliptick Number to wit the 42 months or 1260 days or years which some interpret in a way of conjunction with this last Number 666. and therefore I do speak of it the latter though in the Introduction I made it the former Many late Writers hath concurr'd with T. L. in making 1260 Y. to be Antichrists Term and 666. the millenary Number being understood though not express'd as before to be the period of that Term and to find a fit Correspondency betwixt those two Numbers they look out for the rise of Antichrist 283. And finding the Egg of Antichristianism to be lay'd in the Days of Innocent the first in the Ye of Christ 406. and that by express Commission there was furthermore granted to the Beast his Heirs and Successors 1260 Years for the hatching fostering and perfecting of this Egg or Child of Perdition which being added to 406. makes 1666. to be the very Year wherein the Judgements of God denounced shall fall upon Antichrist And he shall as easily weigh the fire or measure the wind or call again the day that is past as avoid the decree of his Down-fall then determined and as T. L. saith then my Lord of Rome must lay down his proud waves 284. Other Interpreters labour for no concurrence or Coincidency betwixt 1260 and 666. but doth measure Antichrist only by that Lease or Term that is given him to do or continue to wit 42 Months or which is all one 1260 Y. Thus many learned and holy Men binding up themselves to this Number only and varying in their judgements where to make the Epocha or Beginning of the Beasts Rise hath likewise exceedingly varyed in their Opinions about his Period and Ruine 285. Mr. Brightman makes the beginning of the Term of Antichrist to be at Constantines coming to the Crown for then began the war with the Dragon c. when the Man-child was brought forth that is advanced to Imperial dignity Rev. 12.5 and so he makes the Authority of the Beast to expire about the Year of Christ 1546. which year or time was so far from ending the Beast that at that time he was rather more advanced for then did the Councel of Trent condemn the Scriptures in advancing the Vulgar Latin to be most Authentick and then did Charles the fift war against the Protestant Princes in Germany 286. Mr. Durham comes near to this Computation of holy Brightman making the close of the 1260 Y. of Antichrists absolute and uninterrupted Tyranny and triumphing over the Witnesses to fall out in the Year 1559. when Reformation began by publick Authority at Ausperg till then he saith the Witnesses ascended not into heaven For then not only in Germany a Dyet enacted for Religion but also in England it was rais'd up by Q. Elizabeth and the Year before that it was receiv'd in Scotland and the year after to wit 1560. in France by Charles the ninth thus he in his Comment on Revel 287. But 't is objected saith he against this Opinion that this Computation places the rise of Antichrist over-high in the 3. Century after Christ which was a time when the Church enjoy'd both Purity and Liberty in the Days of that good Emperor Constantine To this he answers thus As Antichrist began to work from the Apostles time so much more from the time of outward Rest and Peace which the Church enjoy'd by Constantine who freed her from Heathenish Persecution 288. Pride soon saith he infected her Pastors Hodiè venenum in Ecclesiam fudisti was imputed to Constantine when he made the Church as it were luxuriant with Temporal Priviledges and the Roman Pastor having the greatest advantages of sharing in those Priviledges as Rome was then the Lady of Kingdoms began soon to improve them at least ad Potentiam Pontificiam though not suddenly ad Omnipotentiam as afterwards 289. The Pontificial Omnipotency or settled Superiority and the title of Universal Bishop he confesses was not indeed usurp'd till Boniface the third assum'd it in the Year 606. After this came in the Latin Service and the Mass in the Y. 666. as I mention'd before Paragr 274 by Vitellianus the Pope then also was Pantheon the Temple of the Heathen God opened and dedicated to All Saints and so by degrées comes in all the Romish Trash till Antichrist came to his full Growth 290. But there is yet a stronger Objection against this Opinion which the judicious Scot labours to remove to wit that the Kingdom of the Beast is contemporary with the Sackcloth-Prophecy of the Witnesses and this must be for after the Ascension of the Witnesses and the Earthquake the 7th Trumpet sounds and all Kingdoms become the Lords Rev. 11.11,12.13,15 The downfall of the Beasts kingdom must be before this though he say the Ascension of the Witnesses may consist with the decaying Kingdom of the Beast who must be destroyed gradually under the 7th Trumpet yet this sense is cumbred with many difficulties as will appear afterwards 291. Mr. Cotton goes yet a little lower then either of the former in placing the beginning of this 1260 Y. to wit to 96 or 97 Y. after Constantine rendring this Reason that though the War began with Constantine and the Woman fled into the wilderness as Mr. Brightman rightly observes yet it cannot be said in his time that there was no place found for the dragon in Heaven for this saith he was the failing of that good Emperor that he stil allowed the Heathen-Idol-Temples to continue only shutting their Doors which his Successor Julian opened again and restored the Dragon to his Heaven of spiritual Authority 292. Though the war was begun by Constantine yet was it not accomplished by him so as to cast out the Dragon wholly and so as no more place to be found for him in Heaven this was not he says till the time of Theodosius then did the Emperors renounce and not before the title of Pontifex Maximus Hereupon the Beast the Pope the very next year after takes up this Name and holds it to this day What ever be the Popes name 't is Pontifex Maximus now this was about 396. Y. after Christ as 96. after Constantine which Number being added to 1260. makes up 1656. Antichrists Period 293. This learned and holy man was not alone in his Expectations of eminent Providences in that Year or about it as is manifested before in Paragr 262 267. yet his modesty in this his Conjecture is very eminent saying I will not be too confident because I am not a Prophet nor the Son of a Prophet to foretell things to come yet he expected a great blow would be given to the Beast and to the head of the Beast yea and the Expiration of his Power and great Authority in his Comment on 13. Rev. pag. 87 88 90 93 94. 294. Yea Mr. Mede himself whose Labours the Church of God hath much cause to
360. The 2d Hint or Intimation the Holy Ghost gives to us to guide our reckoning herein is in 2 Thess 2.5,6,7 the removal of the Roman Empire from the Seat of the Beast that was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hindred his Revelation though the Apostle doth not specifie it for exasperating the persecuting Emperors who promis'd to themselves aeterna Romae or eternity of Imperial Rule against the poor Christians as Austin Jerom c. very probably affirm now as the rising of the 10 Horns is contemporary with Antichrist so is the removal of this Impediment of his Revelation as the Apostles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 time and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then here do plainly intimate 361. This is such an undeniable Argument that the Romanists themselves not only acknowledge it but makes it also a ground of their Objection against us that Antichrist is not yet come which hath been answered in Paragraph 154 155. suprà 185. together with the 10th Clause of the Induction 56. 130. to 138. The time of this removal therefore must be the very 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or point of time wherein this term of 1260 Y. must be footed because it is the time wherein he was revealed and the Computation must be not from his 1st Rising to be but from that Rising which was his Revelation 362. Hierome who lived in the times of the first Incursion of the barbarous Nations into Italy c. and wrote so complainingly of it dying in the Y. 420. he when he saw Rome taken and those Barbarians rending in pieces the Western Empire said then in those times in his Epistle ad Ageruch qui tenebat de medio sublaturus est non intelligimus Antichristum appropinquare he seeing the Empire breaking said that Antichrist must needs be at hand our work then is to find out the time when Rome was relinquished by the Emperours in point of Government and seized on by the Pope that must be the head of the Accompt 363. Now in this Enquiry we may observe first that Antichrist rose up to a manifestation upon the ruines of the Roman Empire this is prov'd not only from this 2 Thess 2.6,7 he that letteth must be taken away but from Rev. 13.1,11 the Beast arises not till the Dragon be cast down Rev. 12. and the Dragons seat is resigned to him Rev. 13.2 Yea and from Rev. 17.9,10,11 five are faln and one is to wit the Caesars in Johns time the falling of one Head was the rising of another till the last 2ly Observe the Roman Empire began its ruine after the death of Theodosius the first when it was rent in twain betwixt his two Sons the Eastern part to Arcadius and the Western to Honorius who was socordis ingenii of a slothfull disposition under whom Rome was taken by the Barbarians 364. Observe 3ly that the Western Caesar which was the 6. Head as to Rome did fall down in that fatal diminutive name of Augustulus whom Petavius calls Momyllus in the Y. of Christ 476. then saith the Jesuit Imperium Occidentale desitum est this Western Empire was forsaken which after molder'd into an ignoble Exarchate whose Seat was not Rome but Ravenna See for this Petavius Rationarii Temporum pars 1. lib. 6. pag. 304. lib. 7. pag. 346. that is good Proof which is fetched from an Adversary and Alsted Eucuclop lib. 20. cap. 22. pag. 3012. Thus the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or let being removed and the Seat as it were resigned Antichrist had a fair opportunity to reveal himself to be the seventh Head 365. And whereas it may be said here that the Pope of Rome for many Years after that this Roman Hesperus was set in Augustulus did surrogate the Kings of France who were afterwards of Germany into the name and title of Caesars I answer in usurping his Authority of surrogating and deputing of Caesars he revealed himself to be Antichrist besides the Mystery of keeping up the name of the Caesars was to gull the world that the 6. Head was still standing and that he might not appear to be the last Head Now if we take this hint and reckon as high as we can from Augustulus as some do 476. added to 1260. make 1736. a Date longer then before This account of 1736. cùm exibunt tempora Bestiae si ducantur ab Augustulo Mr. Mede was much taken with See his Letter to the Bishop of Armagh in Diatribe 4. pag. 334. he shews that the Chronology of the Samaritan Pentateuch set out by Dr. Usher makes that year 1736. to make up the 6000. year of the World and then the Sabbatical 1000. or Millenary to begin 366. The 3d Intimation the Holy Ghost gives us for a right Computing the time of Antichrist is in Rev. 12.3 from the healing of the deadly wound the Beast had 7 heads which are explained to be 7 Hills or 7 Kings and Monarchies Rev. 17.9,10 for his extraordinary Soveraignty now the wound that was given him was by a Sword Rev. 13.14 which could not be made in any of the Hills whereon the Beast was placed but in one of those Monarchies and it cannot be meant that the wound was made in the 6. Head either Pagan or Christian Emperours as before Parag. 314. for that wound was never healed again as the Jesuit Petavius and others unanimously acknowledge 267. It follows then that this wound must be found in the 7th Head this Pontifex Maximus that makes himself the Head of the Church which the Caesars Constantine and Theodosius utterly disclaim'd yea and the wound seem'd mortal and incurable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if wounded to death which Alaricus in the 19. Y. of Caesar Honorius gave this Head insomuch that the Beast locked up himself in his den at Ravenna the Church was then beheaded and yet the wound was made deeper and more desperate by Ataulphus who would have changed the name of Rome into his own name Ataulphas and by Gensericus Odoacer Theoderick and Totilas As Rome began in a diminutive name to wit Romulus which would not be call'd Romula from her Founder for the fatality of that name but Roma so her Empire ended in another diminutive in Augustulus by Odoacer and made wholly desolate by Totilas 367. This was such a Wound that this 7th Head which had been long striving for universal Supremacy and to be Lord Paramount in the World was under an universal Neglect and himself utterly discourag'd for the Eastern Emperor with whom he had faln out before about Images though invited refused to be an healer of his Wound and all Nations began to despise this Head that was now become a servant to Barbarians 369. Thus we see the wounded Head here to be no other then the 7th Government to wit the Pope which makes up the first Argument against those Opinions forecited that the 1st Beast hath relation to Antichrist in this
Rev. 13. a 2d Argum. to prove this is drawn from the description of the 1st Beast as 1st in his blasphemous mouth blaspheming both the Lord of the house and the house of God and those that dwell therein where can this be found more then in this Antichrist who blasphemes 1 against the Name of God not only in assuming to himself Gods divine incommunicable Properties but ascribing Divine honor to Images as Esa 65.7 Ezek. 20.27,28 and in his pardons for Sin Mark 2.7 370. 2ly He also blaspheems Gods Tabernacle which is either the natural Body of Christ who is said to tabernacle amongst us Joh. 1.14 2.19 Heb. 9.11 by his Transubstantiating Priests adoring Bread for Christ or this Tabernacle is the mystical Body of Christ which is the Church 1 Cor. 3.19 by his reproaching it under the names of Conventicles and Schismatical companies yea and those Saints that are in Heaven do not escape his blasphemies in his putting upon them Divine honour not only Invocating them but also dedicating both Days and Temples to them 2ly the Pope is like this first Beast as in blasphemy so in Persecution v. 7. and thus the Waldenses in the 12. Century whom the Pope persecuted understood him to be this very Beast saying to his Champions we know ye must overcome us for God hath said the Beast shall make war with the Saints and overcome them Rev. 13.7 371 A third Argument to prove Antichrist this Beast is from his Identity with the 2d Beast which all acknowledge to be Antichrist for Antichrist doth not always appear in one shape but sometimes in one shape and sometimes in another sometimes as Dominus in Temporalibus and so he makes himself the Moses of Israel and at other times as Dominus in Spiritualibus and so he becomes their Aaron or High-Priest and though he got his Temporal power after his Spiritual so t is the younger of the two yet it is first represented as Moses the younger Brother is placed before Aaron the Elder 372. This Opinion may not seem improbable that both the 2 Beasts hold out one Antichrist for the first reason is one Elephant propter ingentem magnitudinem quâ instar plurium est for his vast bigness is called Behemoth Job 40.15 which is the Hebr. plur foem as if many Beasts in one why may not this great Monster Antichrist be resembled by two Beasts who indeed is a compound of many beasts all Heresies centring in him or a Beast of beasts as the Song of songs by way of Eminency and as the Elephant is said to be the chiefest of the ways of God Job 40.19 so Antichrist is chiefest of the ways of Satan 2 Thess 2.9 ut suprá 373. The 2d reason that makes it probable is if the first Beast do not hold out Antichrist then the Holy Ghost hath not at all set down the term of Antichrists continuance in the World which is contrary to the whole current of Expositors who all understand the Term of Antichrists Reign to be included in the 42 Months or 1260 days or years of the first Beast Now we do not find any such express terms of Time about the 2d Beast how long he shall continue as to that number of the Beast 666. I have shew'd at large ut supra that it cannot hold out the Number of his Beginning nor of his Ending which a little Arithmetick or Human Wisdom might easily compute and this is not call'd Wisdom with God the wisdom of this World is foolishness with God 1 Cor. 1.20 374. But lastly the third Reason which renders it most probable is that those two Beasts are one and the same because there is but one Beast mentioned in Rev. 17.8 which is the Holy Ghosts interpretation of the Beast spoken of in the 13. chap. he doth not speak of two Beasts but the Beast which thou saw c. as in Daniel the interpretation of the Visions follows the Visions themselves so doth Rev. 17. interpret the Vision of the Beast in chap. 13. yea Mr. Medes notion of the 10 Popish Kings and Mr. Cottons of the Cathol Church makes a complex Antichrist 375. Those things being premised I come more clearly to speak of the healing of this deadly wound in this 6th Head which we find in History to be done not per saltum but gradually as an old wound of an 140 Y. standing required the first Plaister that was applied to it was by Justinian the Emperor in the 5. Century not only by the Expulsion of the Barbarians out of Italy by his two Generals Bellisarius and Narses but especially by his Constitutions call'd Novellae Authenticae wherein the Decree was that the Bishop of old Rome according to the Canons of the holy Councels should have the Primacy of all Priests 376. But assuredly it was never perfectly healed till Phocas the Parricide closed up the wound about the year 606. granting to Boniface the third that he should be Oecumenical Bishop having all the World for his Diocess and chief in honour as well as in Order hic Imperator facinorosus Pontifici Romano omnia indulgebat ut facinora sua expiaret Phocas yielded to the Pope who insinuated into his favour this Superiority Those two Beasts or beastly Men lick'd each other and the Head was so perfectly cured by him that presently all the World wondred after it when thus recovering of its wound Now the term of 42 Months or 1260 Y. being given to the Beast after the healing of this wounded Head t is an hint I say that we must reckon from Phocas his healing it in Y. 606. which brings his fall still lower to 1866. 377. There is a fourth Intimation which because it is a Criticism I shall not insist on to wit Rev. 13.5 power was given to continue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to make war 42. months as v. 7. he made war against the Saints so that all Antichrists term shall be a Warring against the Church now from this hint we are to inquire when Antichrist began his war wherein Blood was shed and Cities destroyed as the Gr. word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 much blood this was not till the 12. Century ag the Waldenses for 1. he was admired 2. spake great things and lastly warred this brings it still lower but because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not in some Copies it is not in Montanus nor in the Syriack nor in the Aethiopick nor in the vulgar Latin I insist not upon it 378. Yet allowing our own Reading as Authentick because it is not safe to allow of Corruptions in Originals seeing the Arabick Reading hath it making War it plainly holds out that the Beast had this Lease of 42. Months given him not only to be admired in the World and in the Superstitious minds of his Worshippers for so long a time yea and not only to speak great things with his blasphemous mouth in his Pardons and Thundring