Commentary on Daniel, Appendix · Exercise 5
The fift Exercise.
Wherein the 39. verse is interpreted, which Graserus also remooueth from Antiochus, and applieth to the Romane Antichrist by these reasons:
Argum. 1. The first part of the verse he readeth thus: he shall make the munitions of the (God) of the Temples, with this strange God: and whom he liketh he shall encrease with honour, &c. this he sheweth practised among the Romanists: for all the strength of the Romane Church consisteth in the defense of this idol of the Masse; their Churches, Monasteries, Abbeyes, so many orders of religions are sounded vponupon this idol, p. 272, 273. And those whom he findeth pliable to his purpose, and maintainers of this idol, he aduanceth, he maketh them Cardinals, Abbots, and such like: So the Pope magnifieth his Clergie, enlargeth and encreaseth them, in so much that in some countreys beyond the Alpes, the Clergie taketh vp the third part, in some the halfe part of the whole multitude, p. 280.
2. But of Antiochus Graserus thinketh this prophesie is not vttered, how he should set vp his strange god in the fortes and strong places, and fauour those which receiued his idol, and played the Apostataes, but the faithfull he persecuted: for Antiochus persecution was so notorious and euident, that if the spirit of God should in such obscure tearmes hauehave spoken thereof, magnam prophetia suae iniuriam facturus fuisset, he should hauehave offred great wrong to his prophesie, pag. 282.
Answ. 1. We answer here, as before, that typically all this may be well applied to the Romane prelate and Antichrist, as is also shewed, c. 11. contr. 26. but the historicall application of this prophesie concerneth Antiochus, who fenced his newe idol with strong holds and garrisons: as is euident, 1. Macchab. 1. 35. 36. and hath beene further declared, cap. 11. quest. 47.
2. Graserus readeth not right: for he both leaueth the preposition lamed vntranslated, reading, he shall make munitions, whereas the word is lemibtzere, for munitons: and beside he addeth (God) of the temples or basilikes, which first word (God) is not in the originall: he iustly misliketh Iunius translation: he shall commit the munitions of the God of strength to a strange God: that is, shall make his strange idol the protector of Iudea, which is vnderstood by the munitions of God: for the word Mauzzim, as hath been shewed, c. 11. quest. 46. 9. is not vnderstood of the true God. As Iunius fayleth one way, so Graserus misseth another way in his translation: the meaning is this then, that he shall make for strong holds places of munition: So Antiochus caused the tower of Silo to be fortified, and set garrisons there to annoy those which went vp into the Temple, as is before shewed.
3. And though Antiochus persecution, were notoriously euident, after it came to passe, yet it beeing prophetically described, was after the manner of other prophesies to be set down somewhat obscurely, that both it might be kept from the notice of the prophane sort, and yet be euident to the faithfull, that would search for the meaning thereof.
Argum. 2. Whereas it followeth in this verse, he shall cause them to rule ouer many. 1. this is euidently fulfilled by the Romane Antichrist, who giueth dominon and authoritie vntounto his followers and fauourites, creating them Cardinals, Prelates, Abbots, making them Princes, Counties, Barons in their dioceses and seignories. 2. But to Antiochus it cannot well agree, for he brought not in newe titles of dignities into the commonwealth. And if he bestowed honours vponupon those which fauoured his wicked proceedings, that was no strange thing: for kings and Princes vsually doe so, Graser. p. 286. 287.
Answ. 1. All this is granted, that the Pope of Rome doth wage his pharisaicall clawebacks, with great honours and dignities, to maintaine his crowne and supremacie, which is vpheld with a newe kind of idolatrie: and herein Antichrist is typically described vnderunder Antiochus, as is at large shewed, c. 11. contr. 26. 2. But yet the literall and historicall sense will direct vsus to Antiochus, who gaue honours and dignities, as namely the Priesthoode to Iason, and Menelaus, which were Apostataes from the faith, and furthered his wicked and vngodly attempts, 2. Macchab. 4. 3. What though it be vsuall with kings to reward their fauourites: yet this was a rare thing, and neuer attempted before, that one should by gifts and rewards peruert the faith of an whole nation, as Antiochus did: see further, c. 11. quest. 47. in the ende.
Argum. 3. Further, he shall diuide the land, as with a cord or line, and that for a reward, or exchange. 1. The Popes iurisdiction extendeth it selfe to the whole earth; it is not limitted: yea by his instruments the Spaniards he hath also subdued the Indians and remote parts of the world vnderunder his iurisdiction: And it is memorable, that Alexander the 6. drawing a line in the terrene globe from pole to pole, made this diuision betweene the Castilians and Portugals, that they should possesse all that part of the newe found world, which was on the West, and the other the parts on the East: which diuision a certaine Castilian obiected vntounto a certaine petty king of America, who answered, sibi non boni Dei, sed diaboli vicarium videri, &c. that he seemed vntounto him not to be the vicar of the good God, but of the deuill, which gaue vntounto another, that which he had no right vntounto himselfe, p. 290. 291.
2. Neither doth the Pope distribute his honours and preferrements for nothing, but conditionally, and vponupon a composition, that they which receiue any dignities at his hand, shall be bound by oath vntounto him, to maintaine his supremacie, and other Papall priuiledges: and for the more euidence hereof, it shall not be amisse to set downe the oath, which euerie popish Bishop taketh at his consecration.
Ego N. electus Episcopus N. &c. I such an one beeing elected Bishop of such a place,The forme of oath which the Popish Bishops make at their consecration to the Pope. from this houre, as before, shall be faithfull to S. Peter, and to the holy Apostolike Romane Church, and to our Lord (the Pope) and to his successors entring canonically: I shall not be in counsell, consent, or fact, that they shall loose their life or member, or be taken, or violent hands laid vponupon them, vnderunder any pretended colour whatsoeuer: the counsell, which they shall credit me withall by themselues, or their messengers, wittingly to their hurt, I shall not open to any: the papacie of Rome, and reg…lities of S. Peter, I will helpe them to maintaine and defend against all men (euen though it be the king:) the Legate of the Sea Apostolike going and returning, I will honourably entreate, and helpe him with necessaries: the rights, honours, priuiledges, authorities of the Church of Rome, and of our Lord the Pope, and of his successors, I will endeauour to preserue, defend, encrease, and promote: neither will I be of counsell, practise, or treatie, where any sinister thing or preiudiciall to their persons, rights, honours, state, power, is attempted against our Lord the Pope, or the Romane Church: And if I knowe such things to be treated of or procured by any, I will hinder them, as much as I can, and as soone as I can I will signifie the same to the same our Lord (Pope) or to some other, by whom it may come to his notice: The rules of the holy father, the decrees, sentences, dispositions, reseruations, prouisions, the Apostolike mandates I will obserue with all my power, and procure to be obserued of others: they which are rebells (as all schismatikes and heretikes) vntounto our Lord, or his said successors, I will to my power persecute, and impugne: Beeing called to a synode, vnlesse I be hindered by some cononicall let, I will be present: the Apostles threshhold (that is, palace or Church) the Court beeing at Rome, if I be on this side the mountaines, once eueryevery yeare, if beyond, euerie third yeare will I visit by my selfe or my messenger, vnlesse I be freed by the Apostolike licence: the possessions belonging to my table I will not giuegive, nor lay to pawne, nor let out to fee farme, though it be with the consent of the Chapter of my Church, without the priuitie of the Bishop of Rome: As God shall helpe me and his holy Gospels, &c.
In which oath this is worthie to be obserued, that the Popes Bishops are not bound by any promise or otherwise, to preach the Gospell of Christ, to feede his flocke, to reade and studie the Scriptures: but onelyonly to be true vntounto the Pope, and to maintaine the rights and priuiledges of that Sea: And thus it is euident, how the Pope of Rome doth distribute the honours of the earth, vntounto his flatterers by a certaine compact and couenant, Graserus. p. 293. 294.
Answ. 1. All this we graunt to be most true, that is here alleadged, and more too: that the Pope doth not onelyonly exact an oath of obedience of his Prelates, but he doth euen sell them their prelacies, Cardinalships, Bishoprickes, Abbacies, and other preferments for momoney: as is at large shewed, c. 11. contr. 26.
2. Yet notwithstanding this was historically performed by Antiochus, who expelled the auncient inhabitants of Iudea and Ierusalem out of their possessions, and parted their lands among strangers, 1. Macchab. 3. 36. the Priesthood also was sold to Iason first, and then to Menelaus for money, 2. Macchab. 4. see c. 11. quest 47. in the ende.