Commentary on Daniel, Appendix · Exercise 6
The sixt Exercise.
Wherein is expounded the 40. vers. which Graserus also contendeth to be vnderstood of the Romane Antichrist, and not at all of Antiochus, by these reasons:
Argum. 1. At the ende of the time shall the king of the South push at him, &c. Whereas Iunius vnderstandeth this literally of the king of Egypt Philometor, who withstood Antiochus by force, comming to aide his brother Physcon against him: Graserus thus obiecteth:
1. If Daniel here had meant by the kings of the North and South, the kings of Syria and Egypt, he would hauehave so expressed them by those names as the other Prophets doe, and not by so generall tearmes, p. 304.
2. This Iunius supposeth to hauehave beene done in the last yeare but one of Antiochus raigne; but then he wanting money, tooke his iourney into Persia, there to gather tribute, 1. Macchab. 3. 39. how then was he able to furnish himselfe with such great power to goe against Egypt.
3. And seeing he had beene discharged out of Egypt before by the Romanes, Popilius beeing sent vntounto him, it is not like that he durst attempt and aduenture to goe into Egypt againe.
4. If Antiochus had lately made such a conquest in Egypt, it is not like when newes was brought him in Persia, how the Iewes had preuailed against his captaines; that he would hauehave taken it so to the heart: he might easily hauehave recouered that losse, p. 307.
5. In the last yeare but one of his raigne, Antiochus went into Persia, which is quite opposite to Egypt: neither did he send his captaines thither: for he left Lysias with halfe of his armie to inuade Iudea, neither did he giuegive him charge concerning Egypt, p. 308.
6. And the king of the North here doth not offer battell to the king of the South, but onelyonly defendeth himselfe.
7. Iustinus lib. 34. saith, that after Antiochus was discharged out of Egypt by the Romanes, reuersum in regnum ibi decessisse, relicto filio impubere, he returned into his kingdome and there died, leauing his young sonne behind him: after that discharge then he returned not into Egypt, p. 309.
8. We reade but of two expeditions of Antiochus into Egypt, in the second whereof he was sent out of Egypt by Popilius in the Romanes name: he made not a third expedition, pag. 303.
Answ. 1. As though throughout this 11. chapter, the kings of Syria and Egypt, are not continually expressed by the names of the king of the North, and the king of the South.
2. The iourney which Antiochus tooke into Persia, was after his returne out of Egypt: from the which though he brought great riches and spoiles, yet his treasure was wasted by his exceeding liberalitie toward his souldiers, which farre passed other kings, that had beene before him, for he gaue vntounto his souldiers a yeares pay aforehand, 1. Macchab. 4. 28. 30.
3. It is not like he would after that discharge by the Romanes, inuade Egypt by way of hostilitie and conquest: yet as a friend to one of the brethren, to aid him against the wrongs of his brother, he might although he were discharged, enter into Egypt, or he might notwithstanding this discharge, yet after practise againe against Egypt.
4. It was so much the more grieuous to Antiochus, to be foyled of the Iewes, hauing ouercome the power of Egypt: And Gods hand beeing then vponupon Antiochus, he was striken with such a feare, that he knewe not how to bestirre himselfe: but partly of greife of minde, and partly tormented by the stroke of Gods hand, he vponupon that occasion ended his dayes.
5. Neither doe we say, that Antiochus made this conquest of Egypt, at that time, when he went into Persia: but he had spoiled Egypt before: and therefore he needed not giuegive any charge to his captaines concerning Egypt, but onelyonly concerning the Iewes.
6. While Antiochus was preparing to come and helpe Physcon against Philometor, then Philometor hearing thereof did also prouide to resist him: which here is called pushing at him: and then Antiochus came vponupon him like a whirlewind: so both may be true, that first Antiochus made his preparation; but before he gaue the onset, the king of the South first prouoked him to battell.
7. Iustins report is in some things imperfect: that Antiochus died presently after he was charged by the Romanes to depart out of Egypt: for after that he went into Persia, 1. Macchab. 3. 31. Iustinus as well may faile also in the rest: that Antiochus returned no more into Egypt after this discharge by the Romanes: for Florus in his epitome of Liuies historie, lib. 46. after that Antiochus had beene thus discharged by Popilius out of Egypt, whereof he maketh mention in his 45. booke, writeth that the embassadors of the king of Bythinia called Prusias, complained of king Eumenes, eum conspirasse cum Anitocho contra populum Romanum, that he had conspired with Antiochus against the people of Rome: it seemeth then, that after this discharge Antiochus practised secretly against the Romanes.
8. Antiochus made more then two expeditions against Egypt: for euident mention is made of three before in the 11. chapter, one v. 23. 24. see quest. 33. an other mentioned, v. 25. see qu. 34. though Iunius take this for the first: the third v. 29. see quest. 35. And that Antiochus made more then two iourneys into Egypt, may be prooued out of the storie of the Macchabees: for that was his second voyage into Egypt, when in his returne he spoiled and robbed the Temple, wicked Menelaus beeing his guide, 2. Macchab. 5. 1. 15. which is the same voyage mentioned, 1. Macchab. 1. for in his returne there spoken of he robbed the Temple, v. 23. But this was not his last voiage: for after this he went into Egypt, when he was countermaunded by Popilius the Romane Embassador… as it may thus appeare: Antiochus in this his second returne out of Egypt, brought great spoyles from thence, 1. Macchab. 1. 20. but when Popilius discharged him, he returned against his will, hauing not that successe which he had before as is expressed, v. 29.
And further that Antiochus made more then two voyages, may be collected, v. 29. it shall not be as at the first, and as at the last, that is, in his third attempt, when he was stayed by the Romanes, he should not hauehave the like successe, as the two former times: But Graserus maketh an other sense, posteriora istius expeditionis non respondebunt initijs, the ende of this expedition, shall not be like the beginning, p. 306. and he would hauehave it vnderstood of one and the same expedition, that whereas at the first, he was likely to hauehave ouercome all Egypt, in the ende he was restrained and curbed by the Romanes: so also read Genevens. the last shall not be as the first: to the same purpose Vatablus: but the originall standeth thus: and it shall not be, as the first, and as the last: in the other reading both the coniunction vau, should be superfluous, and as the last, and the note of similitude caph, should be in the same clause vsed in a double sense: in the first word carishonah, it should be taken for sicut, as, and in the latter caacharonah, for sic, so: whereas in both places it is better interpreted as.
But here it will be further doubted, which of Antiochus voyages into Egypt this was which is here prophesied of v. 40. and in the verses following: for the satisfying of which doubt, I neither thinke with Iunius, that this was his second voyage, the next before that, when he had his discharge from Popilius, annotat. 101. in ver. 29. for such a preposterous placing of matters historicall is not to be admitted, in so orderly a narration, as the Prophet hath continued through this 11. chapter: that he should speake of Antiochus third voyage v. 30. and deferre the second to v. 40. 2. neither doe I thinke that this is a recapitulation of Antiochus expeditions formerly mentioned: but it much differeth from the former: because the king of the South, here giueth the first occasion: but in all the other attemps the king of the North was the first agent. And againe here mention is made of other nations, with whom Antiochus had to doe, as the Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites, the Lybians and Mores. 3. This then was the last exploit of Antiochus in Egypt, as the 40. v. sheweth, in the ende of time. And though before this he had beene countermaunded by the Romanes to depart out of Egypt, yet he afterward was had in iealousie to conspire against the Romanes, as is before shewed out of Florus, and so might contrarie to his promise inuade Egypt againe: and the rather because P…olome Physcon the younger brother sought to driue Ptoleme Philometor out of his kingdome, which occasion Antiochus tooke to aide Physcon the younger brother against Philometor: of this variance betweene the brethren, who seemed to be reconciled before, when Popilius made Antiochus to depart out of Egypt, Livie decad. 4. lib. 5. and Florus likewise maketh mention in the 46. booke of his epitome: see further of this matter, in the 11. chap. quest. 47. toward the ende.
Argum. 2. Graserus proceedeth and as he excludeth Antiochus out of this prophesie, so he by the kings of the North and South would hauehave vnderstood the Pope, whose iurisdiction is most in the Northerne parts of the world, and the Turke who ruleth chiefely in the Sotherne: his reasons for this opinion are these.
1. Because there is great affinitie betweene the first kings of the North and South, which are before spoken of in this chapter, namely the kings of Syria and Egypt, and these kings of the North and South. 1. as they branched out of the Monarchie of Alexander, so these two, the Pope and the Turke, are risen out of the Monarchie of the Romanes. 2. as they had their situation, the king of Syria toward the North, and of Egypt toward the South: so these two the Pope and Turke hauehave their chiefe dominion the one in the Northerne parts of the world, the other in the Sotherne. 3. as both those kings of Syria and Egypt afflicted the people, yet diuersly: for Antiochus would not suffer the Iewes to enioy their religion, but put them to grieuous torments: yet the kings of Egypt permitted the Iewes to followe their owne rites, in so much that they suffered them to build a temple in Egypt like to that in Ierusalem: So the Christians are tormented and persecuted for their conscience vnderunder the Northerne Tyrant, yet vnderunder the Turke they may hauehave toleration of their religion, Graser. pag. 314.
2. The phrase also well agreeth to this sense: 1. the word tzaphon, which is interpreted the North, signifieth also hid, which fitteth the whore of Babylon, in whose forehead is written, a mysterie, &c. Apoc. 17. 5. p. 310. 2. the king of the South shall push, which cannot be vnderstood of Ptolome, who was of no such force to push at Antiochus: but this well agreeth vntounto the house of the Ottomans, the great Turks, which hauehave pushed at these Northern parts of the world, p. 318. 3. the other word ijshtagher, he shall come like a whirlwind, sheweth not an absolute and entire power, as in the horne to push, but rather a confederacie of vnited forces: such as the papacie cōsisteth of in gathering of Councels, sending vp & down of Legats, stirring vp and cōbining Princes together to fight for the holy land against the Saracens: to this purpose Graser. pag. 320.
Answ. 1. In that Graserus maketh the kings of the South and the North, that is of Egypt and Syria, types and shadowes of his kings of the North and South the Turke and Pope in their originall, situation, affection toward the people of God, therein he graunteth the same, which hath beene so often affirmed, that typically Antichrist is here shadowed forth, but not literally and historically. 2. neither yet in these things is there so great affinitie betweene them: for the Turkish dominion did not spring out of the Romane Empire, as the Seleucians and Ptolomes had their originall from Alexanders Monarchie, and the Turkish Empire is in the East, not Southward from Rome: who also are held to hauehave had their beginning from the Scythians, who are a Northerne people.
2. Concerning the phrase it is not so correspondent nor fitting vntounto his kings of the South and North. 1. seeing throughout the whole chapter hitherto, the kings of the South and North, are vnderstood to be the kings of Syria and Egypt, there is no reason to take them otherwise here: especially seeing euident mention is made of Egypt, v. 42. 43. 2. the king of the North here is described to come vponupon the king of the South as a whirlewinde, and to passe through his land, and to carrie away much siluer and gold: This more fitly agreeth vntounto the Turke then the Pope: for he hath rather fallen as a whirlewinde vponupon Christendome: whereas the Pope hath but pushed at him, and attempted rather then preuailed against him.
Arg. 3. The circumstance also of the time here noted agreeth with the reuelation of the Romane Antichrist: at the time appointed shall Antichrist come, or as Iunius translateth, about the ende of time (which Graserus misliketh.) 1. This time the Ebionites therein consenting with Aben Ezra, assigne vntounto the raigne of Constantine, when he building newe Rome in the East, left old Rome vntounto Sylvester then Bishop of Rome: But this is their vaine conceit, for Constantine had no such intendment to resigne the citie of Rome vntounto the then Bishop there, which afterward he bequeathed with the Empire of the West vntounto his sonne Constance: neither if Constantine had beene so minded, was Syluester then Bishop there capable of so great a gift; the most part of the citie beeing yet Pagans and Infidels: As for that donation of Constantine, it is found to be but a forged thing, and of small credit: and it is like, as if one should imagine, that the Duke of Venice should giuegive the citie of Venice to the Parish Priest of Saint Markes: Graser. pag. 326. to pag. 328.
2. But thus rather this time appointed may be scanned, that as Antiochus rainged 12. yeares, though not complete: the sixe first yeares whereof, Antiochus making a way vntounto his tyrannie, yet did not shewe himselfe such an aduersarie to the Church of God, as afterward: In the last sixe yeares he raged against the people of God, spoiled their Temple, and made hauocke of the Saints: from which time, namely the sixt yeare of his raigne, which was in the 143. yeare of the kingdome of the Greekes, the storie of the Macchabees taketh beginning, 1. Macchab. 1. 21. So vntounto these 12. yeares of Antiochus raigne, who herein was a type of Antichrist, doe answer, the 12. ages wherein Antichrist shall raigne: the first sixe ages doe ende at Gregorie the 7. if we beginne to count in the sixt age after the birth of Christ: vntill this time, the rest of the Popes, made a way for Antichrist: but then he shewed himselfe in his colours: when as Gregorie the 7. excluded the Emperour from intermedling with the election of the Bishop of Rome: and first prohibited the mariage of Ministers: of this Antichristian practise of this Gregorie the 7. thus complained, an. 170. yeares after, the Archbishop of Salisburge, in the Councell of Ratisbone, as Auentinus reporteth, lib. 7. Annal. Hildebrandus primus sub specie religionis Antichristi fundamenta iecit, &c. Hildebrand first vnderunder colour of religion, layd the foundation of Antichrist, &c. and then he proceedeth to shewe, how he excluded the Emperor from their Pontificiall Councels: and thus in the ende concludeth; credite experto, &c. beleeue one that hath tried, they will not giuegive ouer, till hauing brought the Emperor to order, pastoribus veris, qui pascant, oppressis, &c. the true Pastors beeing suppressed, which should feed, the dogges beeing taken away that should barke, they make hauocke of all: from this Gregorie then begunne the last six ages, which answer vntounto the last sixe yeares of Antiochus, Graser. p. 329. to p. 333.
Ans. 1. Whereas Graserus misliketh Iunius translation, at the ende of time, whereas he saith he translateth the same phrase, v. 35. and c. 12. 4. at the time appointed, as Graserus would hauehave it taken here: there is great difference betweene ghad gheeth ketz, vntounto the time of the ende, that is, the appointed time, which phrase is vsed in the two places giuen in instance, and these words, begheth ketz, in the time of the ende: and v. 35. that phrase is expounded by an other word lamoghed, vntounto the time appointed. If this then were to happen in the ende of time, it agreeth not with Graserus coni…ctures: for Gregorie the 7. came not in the ende of time, there beeing toward 600. yeares passed since: The Ebionites fansie, together with some of the Rabbins, we doe with Graserus reiect vponupon those reasons alleadged, and other weightie arguments beside, that might be produced.
2. In that he maketh Antiochus a type and figure of Antichrist, it is as much as we desire to be graunted: whence it will follow that Antiochus is here vnderstood (which is before denied by Graserus) for how els could Antiochus typically decypher Antichrist, if he were not comprehended in this prophesie? But, seeing there is no mention made in this prophesie of the yeares of Antiochus raigne, therein he can be no type of Antichrist. And for eueryevery yeare to vnderstand an hundred, is not the vse of Scripture: neither doth the casting of the yeares agree with Graserus coniecture: for since Gregorie the 7. who attained to the Popedome about ann. 1070. or there about, there are expired about 530. yeares: so that by this reckoning, there should remaine but 70. yeares of Antichrists dominion, which were too great boldnes for any to affirme.
Argum. 4. Graserus proceedeth further thus: 1. this preparation with charrets, horsemen▪ and shippes made by the king of the North against the king of the South, he vnderstandeth, of the holy warres (as they were called) which were decreed by Vrbanus the 2. in the Councell of Claromont in France, for the recouerie of the holy land against the Saracens, which was tenne yeares after Gregorie the 7. which Pope Vrbanus, beeing the author of those cruell and bloodie warres, was t…ereupon called Turbanus, because he thereby procured so much woe and trouble vntounto Christendome: pag. 334. 335.
2. Of Antiochus expedition against Egypt and the holy land, this prophesie can not be vnderstood: for he needed not to hauehave inuaded Egypt by shippe, which is in the same continent with Syria, neither could he by shippe assault Iudea, ab omni maris imperio separatam, beeing separated and diuided from all command by the Sea: pag. 342. 343. whereas eueryevery part of this propheticall description agreeth with those former warres attempted by the Christians against the Saracens: for they were transported thither in shippes, and first inuaded Syria, and beeing thence expelled, they praied vponupon Egypt: p. 344. 345.
Ans. 1. Typically 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 vntounto Syria in one continued continent, yet Antiochus might and did assault the same both by Sea and land: he had his armie vponupon the land, and his nauie vponupon 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 onelyonly 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 vntounto Zidon.