The Resurrection Revealed, Book 7

The Resurrection Revealed · Book 7

p. 543THE SEVENTH BOOK

Containing an Eſſaie, Touching the time, when this future Glorious ſtate of the Church on Earth, for a Thouſand Yeers, probably, ſhall begin.

CHAP. I.

The Introduction, unfolding, and cutting out the Worke for this BOOK.

§. 1 I Know, Lubrious eſt hic locus, this is a point wherein my Pen may ſoon ſlip; and as ſoon will ſleight-ſpirited foreign carp, and over-auſtere Cato cenſure. As for the extremous multitude (whoſe Motto or Character is, Hoſanna to day, and Crucifie, to morrow) they will deifie if a man hit right, but infinitly vilifie, if he miſtake. But the ingenuous prudent, will neither reckon me a God for the firſt, nor cypher mee into leſſe then a man for the ſecond. The beſt of men, in ſuch a labyrinth, and leſſe, have miſtaken. Upon this ground I take my trip, Chriſto duce, the Lord being my Leader.

§. 2 And the better to ſtave off ſome blows, I ſhall take into me the guard of other learned pious mens judgements; and preſent the Reader with variety of accounts, with their grounds; and thence let him, not I, Propheſie (if any will ſo call it.)

§. 3 The worke we have to doe in relation to this is, ##

¶ 1 To give the Reader ſeverall Prognoſticks, ſhewing, indefinitly, that this glorious ſtate of things is not far off.

¶ 2 To caſt up the ſeverall Computations, found in the Scriptures, pointing at a determinate time, when (moſt probably) this ſtate ſhall begin.

p. 544CHAP. II.

HOlding forth the ſeveral Prognoſticks, that the Glorious time we ſpeake of, is not far off; but now approacheth, eſpecially in the introduction thereunto, viz. The Call of the Jews.

SECT. I.

The firſt Prognoſtick. The expiration of Accounts.

§. 1 IN the firſt place, ſeverall numbers of yeers Propheſied to forerun the Commencement of this ſtate, are now almoſt expired. I ſhall now but touch, and but ſome of them, intending by Gods aſſiſtance to give you (as I am enabled) a more exact account in the third Chapter.

¶ 1 The One thouſand two hundred and ninety dayes (that is, yeers) foretold, Dan. 12.11. which were to run out (ſaith Huet on Daniel) from the ceaſing of the daily ſacrifice, &c. afore the Preface to this glorious ſtate begins, are now almoſt expired. For if the daily ſacrifice ceaſed about the yeer of Chriſt 367. For in that yeer (ſaith Alſted in his Chronolog.) in the Reigne of Julian Apoſtata, the preparations to re-edifie the Temple at Jeruſalem were utterly demoliſhed; And we adde thereunto the ſaid One thouſand two hundred and ninety yeers; we ſhall eaſily perceive (if we credit our common Account, making this to be the Yeer of Chriſt 1653.) that the ſaid One thouſand two hundred and ninety yeers are almoſt expired.

¶ 2 The two and forty months, wherein the Beaſt, Antichriſt, ſhould have power (as ſome Greek copies read it) to do (that is, as hee pleaſeth, as Mr. Brightman expounds) Rev. 13.5. which are allone with One thouſand two hundred and ſixty dayes, Revelation, chap. 11. verſe 2. and verſe 3. both ſignifying (by the conſent of the generality of all learned Proteſtants) One thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeers, are now neer their period. For if (as Reuſner aſſerts**Elias Reuſner, Leorin, Iſagog. Hiſtoric. in Infantia Antichriſti, Ad annum 410.) theſe two and forty months began, when the Hinderer (the Roman Emperour) was removed (2 Theſſ. 2.6.) by the Goths, that now the Roman Biſhop was free from all impeding his will, and pleaſure, in the yeer of Chriſt (according to our common Account) 410. And we adde thereunto the ſaid One thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeers, the termination of the ſaid One thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeers are not far off. I might annumerate many other accounts; but I will not ſo miſ-ſpend time, nor anticipate my ſelfe in my intended deſigne of computations in the next Chapter. Theſe two here named may ſuffice to give the Reader a taſte, yea the firſt fruits of many Computations now not long hence about to determine, whoſe periods immediately precede the beginning of the preparation, or introduction (viz. the call of the Jews) to the glorious time we ſpeak of.

p. 545SECT. II.

The ſecond Prognoſtick, The might of the Churches Enemies.

§. 1 WHen the might of the Churches enemies appears univerſally, and irreſiſtably powerful, then is the Churches great deliverance at hand, Iſa. 59.16. to the end of the Chapter, and the whole enſuing Chapter, viz. the ſixtieth; alleadged and demonſtrated afore to relate to this glorious time wee ſpeake of. Read the place (it is too large to write out) and you ſhall there finde it Propheſied, that when the Lord ſhould ſee that there was NONE TO HELP, that then his owne arme ſhould bring ſalvation; that then the Redeemer ſhall come to Zion. That then the Church ſhould riſe and ſhine becauſe her light was come and the Gentiles ſhould come into her light. That her GATES SHOULD BE OPEN CONTINUALLY, NOT SHUT DAY NOR NIGHT, AND KINGS SHOULD MINISTER UNTO HER. THAT THE SUN SHOULD BE NO MORE HER LIGHT, BUT THE LORD SHOULD BE HER EVERLASTING LIGHT (which St. John Rev. 21. applies to the glorious time we treat of) with many more paſſages in thoſe Chapters of Iſaiah to the ſame purpoſe. Adde to this place of Iſaiah, that in the Revelation, Chap. 18. verſe 7. and 8. How much ſhe hath glorified her ſelfe, and lived deliciouſly, ſo much torment and ſorrow give her; for ſhe ſaith in her heart, I ſit A QUEEN AND AM NO WIDOW, AND SHAL SEE NO SORROW; therefore ſhall her plagues come IN ONE DAY.

§. 2 Now whether at preſent, the Might of the Churches enemies bee not univerſal, and irreſiſtible; the Turke proſpering mainly; the Popiſh party prevailing exceedingly, and the rather becauſe the Proteſtant Nations are onelyonly buſie in beating one another to peeces moſt ſadly, whence moſt impious corruptions abound among theſe, as horrid and bloody perſecutions among thoſe (freſh broken out againe in the German Empire, and in the Kingdome of France, &c.) ſo that Antichriſt boaſted in their late Jubilean ſolemnity, all was his, and the Church preciſely conſidered, and Religion, every way goes to wrack; and no remedy of Lawes or Armes appeare, I leave the Reader to reſolve! To which end I would have him weigh what briefly I have hinted, and ſurveigh throughly the preſent ſtate of things, and inlarge his meditation upon it, and then he will eaſily be inabled to conclude whether the univerſality of all be not moſt corrupt and unſavoury, and daily putrifying more and more, and whether the ſalt wherewith they ſhould be ſeaſoned and preſerved, hath not loſt its ſavour, and then wherewith ſhall any of thoſe things be ſalted. And whether (as Pſal. 11.3.) if the foundations (Political, ſaith Mollerus) be deſtroyed, a David may not juſtly cry out, what can the righteous doe?

p. 546SECT. III.

The third Prognoſticke, The height of the enemies wickedneſſe.

§. 1 THis Prognoſticke we have in Gen. 15. verſe 13, 14, 15. and 16. God ſaid to Abraham know of a ſurety, that thy ſeed ſhall be a ſtranger in a Land that is not theirs, and they ſhall ſerve them, and they ſhall afflict them foure hundred yeers, &c. But in the fourth generation they ſhall come hither again, FOR THE INIQUITY OF THE AMORITES IS NOT YET FULL; whence it appears, that the fulneſſe of the iniquity of the Amorites, is a Prognoſtick of the Churches great deliverance out of Egypt; ſo that when that ſhould be full, theſe ſhall be delivered. Whence wee infer by the rule of Proportion, that when the iniquity of the univerſality of the wicked on earth ſhall bee full, that then ſhall the univerſality of the Elect have their grand deliverance upon earth. This Prognoſtick (that the Reader may ſee my inference to be good) I will ſhew you in other places of Scripture, which apply it immediately to the deliverance wee treat of. In Iſa. 14. the firſt three verſes moſt evidently (as we have before demonſtrated) relate to the Glorious ſtate on earth we drive at. To which is annexed the Propheſie of the Churches triumph over Babylon (as the neceſſary Appendix thereof) with great aſſurance, and much elocution and emphaſis, verſe 4. &c. to the end of the 18. verſe. Now what is the Prognoſtick of their fall, but the height of their wickednes in oppreſsion, pride, &c. So verſe 4, 5, 6. Thou ſhalt take up this Proverb againſt the King of Babylon, and ſay, How hath the oppreſſor ceaſed? The Lord hath broken the ſtaffe of the wicked, and the Scepter of the Rulers. HEE WHO SMOTE THE PEOPLE IN WRATH, WITH A CONTINUAL STROK; He that ruled the Nations in anger, is perſecuted, and none hindereth. And verſe 12. &c. How art thou FALLEN FROM HEAVEN, O LUCIFER, Sonne of the morning. FOR thou haſt ſaid in thine heart, I WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN, I WILL EXALT MY THRONE ABOVE THE STARS OF GOD, AND SIT UPON THE MOUNT OF THE CONGREGATION, I WILL ASCEND ABOVE THE HEIGHT OF THE CLOUDS, I WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH; thou ſhalt be BROVGHT DOWNE TO HELL. So our Saviour alſo teſtifies to this Prognoſtick, Matth. 24. After the ſignes to come to paſſe, whiles the end was not yet, but were onelyonly the beginnings of ſorrow, verſe 6. verſe 8. Chriſt addes other ſignes that ſhould more neerly precede, and point at the end: And amongſt many direful ſignes, he gives this, INIQUITY SHALL ABOUND, after which the Goſpel being preached to all the world as a witneſſe to them, THEN SHALL THE END COME, verſe 9. to 15. To the ſame purpoſe, Rev. 18. verſe 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Babylon the Great is fallen, is fallen (that is, ſhall fall, as certainly as if already fallen) &c. FOR HER SINNES HAVE REACHED UNTO HEAVEN.

§. 2 Now whether the enemies wickedneſſe is not mounted up to the p. 547height, and the Antichriſtian parties ſinnes, (I mean all that oppoſe Chriſt by what names, or titles ſoever, by what way or means, or manner ſoever) are not come to the full, I leave the well-principled, ſound, ſanctified, ſpiritual ſoul to judge. Turciſme and Papiſme is now worſe then ever, by how much more they have of late prevailed, and have ſinned againſt greater light, and are more encouraged by the enmities, and impieties among Proteſtants. The Arminian, and Socinian party, with their Articuli perpendendi, Advancements of mans will, Diſputes againſt the Deity of Chriſt, with ſome queſtionings of the Holy Ghoſt, have ſtruck in with the Antichriſtian party, and joyning (in effect at leaſt) their forces with them, have greatly enlarged their Quarters. The Lutherans ſtill as obſtinately as ever, if not more obſtinately, ſince againſt more light ſhining in ſundry diſputes, deſtroy the humanity of Chriſt, by their doctrine of Conſubſtantiation. The learned of the Jews (poor ſoules) are now more obſtinate againſt Chriſt come in the fleſh then ever. And for Proteſtant Nations, or Peoples, I am utterly aſtoniſhed in my thoughts, and diſtreſſed for words to expreſſe their unparallelable Apoſtaſies. The revolt among Profeſſours is generall. Their blaſphemous words againſt God, Chriſt, the Holy Ghoſt, the Holy Scriptures, and conſequently againſt Salvation, Heaven, Hell, the Immortality of the Soule, and all Fundamentals are nefanda ſo wicked, that they are not to be mentioned (though I could diſtinctly) leſt I ſhould leave ſome ſtaine upon ſome pious ſoule, that may read this Treatiſe. Their many wicked practices are ſutable. Community of women, ſwearing, drinking, &c. And theſe practiſed by principle, as the way to deſtroy the fleſh. By this meanes many Jeſuits, falſe Prophets, falſe Teachers, and damnable Seducers are encouraged (as the mutter abroad is every where) to creep in amongſt them. All Religious worſhip is decried as fleſh and forme. The wicked prophane are extreamly encouraged, the commers on in Religion offended, and beaten off. And the very knees, and hearts of true Saints are made feeble and ready to faint. And all this account is brought in as the returne of all the marvells of mercies, and miraculary deliverances that God hath given them. Whiles Politicals have been recovered, Religion hath been loſt. And whoſoever will not be high in theſe enormities, is ſcorned as low. The Nations (called Proteſtant) minde conqueſt rather then conſcience. Helliſh Hereſies break out in Print, from beyond, and on this ſide the Seas. The profeſſion of moſt of thoſe Countries is come to looke like dirt, gain being their godlineſſe; Their words and promiſes but lyes, and flatteries: And ſelfe is now the great God that ruleth all. And of all theſe I would I could not give ſo true an account as I can, with admiration of Gods patience the meane while. I have nor liſt, nor cauſe maliciouſly to inveigh againſt Proteſtant Nations, but out of griefe of ſoule, and to proſecute the point in hand, I have given theſe few hints.

p. 548SECT. IV.

The fourth Prognoſtick; Wars, and rumors of Wars, &c.

THis Prognoſticke our Saviour gives us Matth. 24.6, 7. in anſwer to that queſtion put to him by the Diſciples, verſe 3. ſaying to him, Tell us when ſhall theſe things be? And what ſhal be the ſign of thy comming, and of the end of the world? But withal he gives us this caution, that theſe wars and rumors of wars are a remoter ſigne, adding to this ſigne verſe 6. That the end is not yet. And verſe 8. That they are but the beginnings of ſorrow. But Daniel brings this ſigne (as it may comprehend all great and remarkable wars, viz. thoſe the Jewes ſhall have with their adverſaries, the Turke, &c.) neerer to the end, Dan. 11.44, 45. compared with Dan. 12.1. viz. at that time of the Jews wars aforeſaid, Michael ſhall ſtand up to deliver his people; though the worke of that deliverance, in thoſe wars will, it ſeems, by verſe 12.13. collated, take up the time of five and forty yeers.

Now I leave all knowing men to judge whether we have not Wars and rumors of Wars, whiles moſt (if not all) Nations of the Gentiles, viz. England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Spaine, Italy, Netherlands, or Low-Countries, Denmarke, Portugal, Sweadland, Helvetia, or Switzerland, Poland, Muſcovy; The huge Empire of the Turke: The vaſt Indies, &c. are either in the practiſe, or poſture, or preparations and expectations of War. There is wanting but the driving, and fall of this ſtorme of the Gentiles Wars on the Romiſh Weſterne Antichriſt; and next the Jews taking up armes againſt the Turkiſh Eaſterne Antichriſt;, and then the Worke, or thing ſignified (of which thoſe rumors of Wars are a ſigne) will be doing, at leaſt in the Preface and preparation. Which laſt Warre ſome thinke is not far off, in regard of their great Mathematicians wonderfull words to that end; their abundant purſing up of gold, their writing letters to each other in ſeverall Countries to that purpoſe; their late change of their letter, for concealment of their meſſages by writing: The profeſſed expectation of ſome of their Learned of the Meſsiah to come in the yeer 1656. or thereabouts.

SECT. V.

Giving a touch upon ſeveral other Prognoſticks, viz.

THe more we ſhall ſee Monarchy to fall, Dan. 2.34, 35. the oftner there appears ſtrange ſignes in the Heavens, following the great tribulations upon earth, Matth. 24.29.30. And the lowder is heard vox populi, the voyce of the generality of Gods people in their diſcourſes and prayers, that Babylon is falling, and the Lord Chriſt is about to reigne, Rev. 19. firſt ſix verſes: the neerer wee may expect the approach of this Glorious ſtate on earth.

p. 549How much of theſe things have, or doe appear already, I leave wiſe men to recall to minde, and conſider.

CHAP. III.

Containing ſeveral Computations of time, ſearching when this glorious ſtate on Earth ſhall approach.

§. 1 OF which in general, I would admoniſh the Reader, Firſt, That I ſhall not trouble my ſelfe with any Computation, whoſe period is expired, becauſe experience hath ſufficiently confuted it.

§. 2 Secondly, That I would not have him to be troubled at the Computers, though he finde their numerary principles different, and their Computations inconſiſtent one with the other; but in ſuch darke, and difficult Problems, and whoſe punctuall determination doth not concerne the eſſentials of our ſalvation, to allow every man his modeſt liberty, ingenuouſly to follow his owne light.

SECT. I. Elias Reuſnerus Leorinus his Account.

§. 1 HAving touched this afore, Chapter 2. and elſewhere, I ſhall now preſent it in briefe. "Rome (ſaith he**El. Reuſ. Leorin. in I ſagog. Hiſt. De Antich. Infant. ad Ann. Chr. 410.) having been Conquereſſe, and Miſtreſſe of the world, being now in the yeer of Chriſt 410. taken, and ſpoyled by Alarick King of Goths (according to Socrat. l. 7. cap. 10.) from which time, her Authority being much diminiſhed, ſhe is expoſed to the like depredation by the Vandals, Heruls, and Longobards, and others of the German Countries, &c. from this declining of the Roman Empire, HE THAT WITHHOLDETH (2 Theſſ. 2. verſe 6.) being removed, is the time of the SON OF PERDITION to begin. Rightly therefore is here fixed the beginning of the Angelical two and forty months of the Kingdome of the ſeven headed beaſt with his ten Hornes (Rev. 13.) borrowing great power from the infernall Dragon, and belching out horrid blaſphemies againſt God; that is the Roman Papacy, &c. The end of theſe two and forty months will fall into the Yeer of Chriſt, 1670.

§. 2 So that by this account of Reuſner, Antichriſt will bee downe within theſe twenty yeers, and ſomething leſſe, even as much leſſe, as more then 1650. is paſt.

p. 550SECT. II. Mr. Ephraim Huet his Account.

§. 1 THe taking away of the daily Sacrifice, and the placing of the deſolating abomination (ſaith he,**Ephr. Huet. in his Paraphr. Analyſ. & Com. on Dan. Chap. 12.11. having demonſtratively confuted other Interpretations) is to be applied to the action of our Lord, who by his death did put away all Jewiſh Sacrifices, and alſo by an Army of Idolaters did deſtroy Jeruſalem, placing Idolaters therein, who after alſo did ſet up their Idolatries. True it is, our Lord did jure, viz. in right, deſtroy all ſacrifices by his owne Sacrifice, being the fulneſſe of all their ſhadows; but facto, that is actually, after his death, divers yeers, and by divers ſteps, and degrees. For after the ſacking of Jeruſalem by Titus, **Who alſo deſtroyed the Temple according to the generall vote of the learned Hiſtorians and Chronologers, therein fulfilling Chriſts Propheſie Math. 24.1. &c. according to the judgement of moſt learned Divines.Matt 24:1the Jewes yet inhabited the City not yet demoliſhed, and continued their ſuperſtitions with great, both power, and zeale. For firſt, Afterwards in the Reigne of Adrian the Roman Emperour, the Jews rebelled upon this quarrel; The Emperour had built, and dedicated a Temple in Jeruſalem to Jupiter Olympius, the which the Jewes ſtomaching, made head, and in the end were overcome by the Emperour, and diſperſed, and the City named Aelia, and he gave it into the poſſeſſion of the Gentiles. Secondly, Yet did they continue their old ſuperſtitions in the Country, ſo that whereas there was an Altar built under the Oake Mamre (where the Angels appeared to Abraham) and the Merchants that came to the Faires were forced to ſacrifice thereon, otherwiſe Traffick was denied them; Conſtantine the Great demoliſhed the Altar, and built there a Church for Chriſtians. Thirdly, and laſtly, in the dayes of Julian the Apoſtate, and profeſſed enemy of Chriſtians, in contempt of the Chriſtian faith, he gave licence to the Jews, to build the Temple, and to renue their Jewiſh worſhips. Yea ſo large was their patent, that all were interdicted any let, or ſtoppage; and the charges of this ſervice to be allowed out of the publicke ſtocke. Upon which grant they attempted the building of the Temple, not wholly razed downe afore; wherein they were affronted by a ſpeciall hand of God. A fearfull Earthquake in the night deſtroyed all their works, and all their tools were conſumed by a ſudden fire,**Ammianus Marcellinus in his Hiſtory of the life of Jul. (l. 23. c. 1) ſaith, That certain fearful flaming balls of fire iſſuing forth neer unto the foundations, and making many terrible aſſaults, conſumed ſundry times the workmen, and made the place unacceſſable, and by reaſon that this element ſtill gave the repulſe, the enterprize was given over. Socrates Scholaſt. in his Hiſt. 3. Book, Chap. 20. according to the Greek but 27. according to the Engliſh, adds, that there came fire from Heaven that burned their Tools, &c. ſo that they were forced to deſiſt from their worke. In which their blinde zeale they were affronted by that zealous Biſhop of Jeruſalem, Cyril, who admoniſhed them of this Propheſie, and after no diſſwaſion would avail, he openly profeſſed, That now the time was come, which our Lord foretold, that there ſhould not be left one ſtone upon another which ſhould not be caſt down, which accordingly came to paſſe that night, by the immediate hand of God, in this earthquake and fire. Now underſtand we the utter actual aboliſhing of the Jewiſh ſacrifices to be here intended, and p. 551not the time of the Lords ſacrifice; for that the daily ſacrifice continued long after, and alſo the abominable Idolaters were not placed in Jeruſalem, untill their diſperſion by Adrian. And if liberty of conjecture be granted, I ſhould thinke, that as Jupiter Olympius, with his Greekiſh worſhippers, is called the deſolating abomination, Chap. 11. verſe 31. So the Romans are here an Army of abominables, for their returne to the ſame Idol, whoſe Temple Adrian built, and whoſe Idolatries the Romans embraced, as being amongſt them the chiefe, and father God. The beginning of this One thouſand two hundred and ninety yeers being at the final remove of the Jewiſh ſacrifices, fell out under the reigne of Julian. Thus Mr. Huet.

§. 2 But then he miſtakes about the yeer of Julians reign. For he puts the utter ceaſing of the daily ſacrifice in the yeer of Chriſt 360. Whence three Errots will follow.

¶ 1 That Julian was not as he ſuppoſeth ſole Emperor at that time; but after that, he began his reign as ſole Emperor, viz. in the yeer of Chriſt, 361 ſaith Helvicus. 362 ſaith Dr. Holland in his Chronol. on Ammianus. 363 ſaith Dr. Alſtedius. 365 ſaith the Tranſlator of Euſebius.

¶ 2 That however it was divers yeers after Julians beginning to reigne, that the dayly ſacrifice ceaſed by the aforeſaid miraculous obſtacle, they that account leaſt, put it in the Yeer of Chriſt 363.**So Dr. Holland ibid. & Helvicus in his Inden Chronolog. others more, of which preſently.

¶ 3 If we grant this ceaſing of the dayly ſacrifice in manner as aforeſaid, to have been fulfilled in the yeer of Chriſt, 360. Then if we adde 1290. the time of the expiration of the whole is paſt, and ſo the call of the Jews ſhould be paſt, which experience decries.

§. 3 Therefore we muſt (if we will make any benefit of that computation of one thouſand two hundred and ninety yeers in Daniel) follow low thoſe Chronologers and Hiſtorians, who remove that ceaſing of the daily ſacrifice in Julians time, to a further yeer of Chriſt; viz.

¶ 1 Alſted; who in his Chronologiâ mirabilium, puts it in the yeer three hundred ſixty ſeven. His words are, Ann. 367. Terrae motus ingens totum ferè, &c. That is, In the yeer three hundred ſixty ſeven, an huge earthquake ſhook almoſt all the world; A deluge deſtroyes Nicea, and many Iſlands; A mighty hayle at Conſtantinople beats downe proſtrate unto the earth many men, and deſtroyes them. MOREOVER THE TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM REEDIFIED BY JULIAN THE APOSTATA, falls downe, and is burned by fire from Heaven. Thus Alſted.

¶ 2 Functius in his Chronology puts this Earthquake, Inundation, &c. in the yeer three hundred ſixty nine.

¶ 3 And unto theſe Accounts, approved Hiſtorians ſeem to conſent, whiles they put this ſtory of the ruine of the reedificating, or preparation thereunto long after the beginning of the reigne of Julian.

As Ammianus begins his two and twentieth Book (conſiſting of ſixteen Chapters) with the ſtory of Julians ſole Emperiality (Conſtantius being dead) but mentions not that preparation to re-edifie the Temple of Jeruſalem, till the firſt Chapter of his three and twentieth Book. Socrates Scholaſticus likewiſe tells us of the creating Julian to be Caeſar, in the ſecond Book, and two and thirtieth p. 552Chapter of his Hiſtory according to the Greek (the ſeven and twentieth according to the Engliſh) but mentions not the buſineſſe of Julians inciting the Jews to ſacrifice, and for that end (becauſe they refuſed to ſacrifice any where elſe, but at Jeruſalem) encouraged them to re-build their Temple there, untill the twentieth Chapter of his third Book, according to the Greek; the ſeventeenth Chapter according to the Engliſh.

§. 4 So that this Account of the One thouſand two hundred and ninety yeers in Daniel, by adding thereunto three hundred ſixty ſeven, or three hundred ſixty nine yeers, will, according to theſe grounds, expire about ſeven or eight yeers hence.

SECT. III. The Rabbins Account.

THe Account of the Hebrew Rabbins you had afore, Book 4. Chapter 4. §. 3. in ¶ 3. at the latter end, noted in the Margent with ☜ that is, Page 425. and ¶ 6. of the ſame Book, Chap. and §. marked alſo in the Margent with ☜ with the addition of theſe words [Obſerve this] that is in Page 429. It were pity ſo to abuſe time and labour, both yours and mine, as to repeat here againe what there you have at large. And therefore I intreat the Reader to a worke of ſuch eaſe, to have recourſe thither, if hee deem the knowledge of their darke and indefinite account worth the knowing.

SECT. IV. Mr. Brightmans Account.

MR. Brightman, on thoſe words in Rev. 13.5. [And there was given to him (the Beaſt) a mouth ſpeaking great things, and blaſphemies; and power was given him TO CONTINUE, or (as our Tranſlators put it in the Margent) TO MAKE WARRE, forty and two months] doth give in his account in theſe words. So much (ſaith he) of the Honour of the Beaſt; now of his blaſpheming and doing; of which it is firſt ſaid, that there was power given him; And then followeth the execution thereof; In blaſpheming, at the ſixth verſe, and in doing at the ſeventh. It is indeed profitable for us to underſtand that theſe horrible impieties doe invade the world, not by the blinde force of Fortune, but by the moſt juſt judgement of God, who doth thus take vengeance of our ſinnes; And above the reſt, of the contempt of his truth among men. The power to blaſpheme, is that freedome from errour, which the Pope of Rome challengeth to himſelfe, and to his ſtate; and which men of a blind and perverſe minde do willingly grant unto him. What blaſphemies p. 553may not he broach unto the world, each of whoſe Decrees and Doctrines are held for Oracles!

The power of doing here (ſaith Mr. Brightman) is an abſolute, moſt lawleſſe and luſtfull power, to doe what a man will, without being brought Coram, to give a reaſon of his doing to any other. In which regard the power of the Pope of Rome, is notable before any other. For ſo doe the decrees ordaine. No man ſhall judge the FIRST SEA, &c. For the JUDGE ſhall not be judged, either of the EMPEROUR, or of ALL THE CLERGY, or of the KINGS, or of the PEOPLE. Again, God would have all the cauſes of men to bee ended by men, but be hath reſerved the Government OF THIS SEA to his owne arbitrement, ſo as he will have no queſtion of any thing hee doth. Yet more, The whole Church throughout the world knoweth, that the moſt holy Church of Rome hath RIGHT TO JUDGE OF ALL MEN; and that NO MAN MAY LAWFULLY JUDGE OF HER JUDGMENT. Cauſa 9. and 3. This is called the power of doing, for excellencies ſake; being ſuch as no Emperour hath, who doe not refuſe to be contained within the bounds, and to be tyed with the bonds of Laws, and to have all their actions ordered by the rule of that which is equall and good. As for the words, Aretas readeth [And there was power given him to make War] and ſo do Montanus, and the Edition of Plantin; The Vulgar readeth it [power of doing] abſolutely. So doe Th. Beza, and the reſt of the Greek copies; which reading is made good, by the like uſe of this word in the like matter in Daniel [He ſhall caſt forth the truth upon the earth, AND SHAL DOE, and ſucceed proſperouſly] Dan. 18.12. So verſe 24. [And he ſhall proſper marveilouſly, and SHALL DOE.] So in Chap. 11.28. [Hee SHALL DO, and ſhall returne into his owne Land.] In which places a certain free, and ſovereigne power of doing is ſignified, which ſhould not be afraid of any mans judgement.

The time of doing is (ſaith Mr. Brightman) two and forty months, which is the ſame ſpace that the Temple remaineth meaſured, the two Prophets mourn, and the woman byeth hid in the wilderneſſe, Chap. 11.2. and 12.6. FROM WHICH TIME, THE BEGINNING OF THESE MONTHS IS TO BEE ACCOUNTED. The Church is baniſhed; the Prophets put on ſackcloath, and the Beaſt, or Antichriſt is born into the world, all at once; namely in that firſt time of reſting, which the Church had from publick perſecuters, about the yeer three hundred. But as we ſaid afore, ſhall there bee the ſame end of all theſe together? Shall the Beaſt be deprived of all power of doing, as ſoon as the Woman ſhall returne out of the Wilderneſſe? Againſt this, many things may be ſaid; As firſt, That the Beaſt makes war with the two Prophets, after the two and forty months be ended, and overcommeth them; which declareth that there is no ſmall power of his yet remaining, as we have ſhewed, Chap. 11. verſe 7. Moreover there remaineth yet far more deadly war that ſhall be waged againſt him a long time, after thoſe months, as wee ſhall ſee Chapter 16. Laſtly, If there be the ſame end of the p. 554months in reſpect of the Beaſt, which is of the woman, how ſhall he have power to doe two and forty months, when as he ſhall lie ſicke a great part of them; yea, he ſhall be, as it were, ſlaine by meanes of his wounded head? This ſpace of time doth ſeem therefore to containe the whole time of the tyranny of Antichriſt; yet ſo, that the time of his wound, whiles it is ſore, be taken away from it. Now we have ſhewed, that this time of his crazineſſe is defined within the time of the Goths *⁎* Kingdome, verſe 3. which laſted for an hundred and forty yeers. If we ſhall therefore take away theſe yeers from the months of the Womans lurking, we ſhall finde that at the end of this lurking, namely at the yeer 1546. thirty ſeven months☞ onelyonly, The count is ſelfe, according to Mr. Brightman. and ten dayes of Antichriſts Kingdome, when it was in vigor, were paſſed over. Five months therefore, and twenty dayes are wanting hereto; which if we reckon from the yeer 1546. the laſt end of Antichriſt ſhall expire at the yeer 1686. or thereabouts. For ſo we ſhall learne out of other Scriptures, that he ſhall periſh utterly about that time. It may bee that his deſtruction may come ſooner, then this terme of yeers defineth; for I doe not caſt the account accurately at this time; neither doe the Hiſtorians number the yeers ſo faithfully as they ought; but he ſhall not be ſuffered to goe beyond the furtheſt ſpace that I have ſet down.

But perhaps theſe months are not the ſpace from the firſt beginning to the laſt end of the Beaſts, but onelyonly the former yeers of his Kingdome, which may be many enough to lay him open, ſo as hee may be revealed to all men. And by this interpretation, as he beginneth together with the months of the Woman, and the Prophets, ſo he takes his end alſo with them. This opinion is confirmed by the Warre with the Saints, in verſe 7. which, wee have ſhewed, fell into the end of theſe months, Chap. 12.7. And by this interpretation, the Beaſt is ſaid to have power of working two and forty months, for the greateſt part of theſe months: Becauſe that little reſpire of time wherein he ſhould keep in his horne, becauſe of his wounded head, is little to be reckoned of, in reſpect of the whole number.**Let the Reader, if he pleaſe, remember, that whereas Mr. Brightman thinks Antichriſt was wounded by the Goths, noted afore at *⁎* according to Rcuſner, expreſſed afore in his Account Sect. 1. the Goths wounded the Emperour and Empire, not the Pope, and Popedome; but the ſaid Popes and Popedome rather got head and beart and health and ſtrength by the Goths wounding of the Empire, which granted, Mr. Brightmans knot is quite removed, touching the five months. Neither is his power, which ſhall bee afterwards, like that of his former time, as experience ſheweth at this day; wherein we ſee the Popes power to be made to languiſh, and to be weakned much, from the time of his profeſſed, and pitched battel; that is, from the Council of Trent. So that his power is now almoſt none at all, to that which it was in former ages. This latter is more ſimple, in which regard I like it better. Thus Mr. Brightman.

Now according to this account. Antichriſt ſhall be fully downe about ſeven and twenty yeers hence.

p. 555SECT. V. Alſteds Account.

HE gives it you**Alſted XII. Chronologia Epocharum Propheticarum. in this ſorme, and the words, as neer as I can tranſlate, and imitate him for your beſt underſtanding.

THE APOCALYPTICAL VOLUMNE, or COMMENTARY.††Syngramma Apocalypticum.

They that are inquiſitive to know how he gives a particular account of theſe Periods, may, (if they underſtand the Latine Tongue, or by the helpe of ſuch friends) look into Alſted himſelfe in the fore-cited place, or into Mr. Mede in Engliſh, Diatrib. par. 4. p. 453. whither I refer them, leſt I ſhould bee needleſſely tedious to my friends that fear the prolixity of this Treatiſe. Which therefore I prevent all I can.

§. 3 So that by this Account the beginning of the thouſand yeers will not be far off about one and forty yeers hence.

p. 556SECT. VI. Mr. Medes Accounts.

§. 1 IN his Diatrib. Par. 4. Page 87. he gives us this Account. Having ſaid, Page 83. Though Chriſtianity hath been imbraced in former times, where now it is not, yet it is now ſpread in thoſe places, where in thoſe times it was not; ſo that all laid together, wee may account Chriſtianity at this day as large, as ever it was in the Apoſtles time; yet that this is not THAT UNIVERSAL KINGDOME OF CHRIST, THAT FLOURISHING and GLORIOUS ESTATE OF THE CHURCH, WHICH WE YET EXPECT and HOPE FOR, my Reaſons are theſe; I ſay, Mr. Mede having ſaid theſe things in page 83, and in page 84, 85, 86, having given ſeverall of the ſaid reaſons; then in the ſaid 87. page aforequoted, he addes, My next reaſon (ſaith he) ſhall be from that we read in the Revelation, where the Church by the conqueſt of Michael ſet free from the Dragons fury, is ſaid to eſcape into the Wilderneſſe, i.e. into a ſtate, though of ſafety and peace, and ſecurity, yet of hardſhip, miſery, and ſcarcity. For it ſeems to be an alluſion to the Iſraelites eſcaping the Tyranny of Pharaoh, by going into the wilderneſſe. In this wilderneſſe, or place of hardſhip, &c, the Church muſt remaine (ſaith St. John) a time, and times, and halfe a time, or as he elſwhere ſpeaketh, one thouſand two hundred and ſixty dayes, i.e. A yeer, yeers, and halfe a yeer; and when this time ſhall bee expired; that is, as learned Divines thinke, when ſo many yeers ſhall be ended, as thoſe dayes are, taking the beginning of our reckoning from Michaels Trophe; then, ſaith our Apoſtle, ſhall the Kingdomes of the world become the Kingdomes of our Lord, and of his Chriſt, and he ſhall reigne for ever and ever, Rev. 11.15. whereby it ſhould ſeem, that the Church is yet in the wilderneſſe, and that the promiſed happineſſe of the ample, and flouriſhing glory thereof before the end of the world, is YET TO COME. Thus Mr. Mede, wherein becauſe he gives us but an indefinite account, we will preſent you with another, which he mentions, in which is determinately expreſt a certain time.

§. 2 Mr. Mede in the ſame Treatiſe of his (afore-cited) page 496, &c. preſents to us this account; That moſt learned Lord Primate of Armagh, by his indefatigable induſtry, and no ſmall charges, having ſome few yeers ſince gotten that admirable Monument the Samaritan Pentateuch, Mr. Medes good opinion of the Samaritan Penteteuch.or Five Books of Moſes (which may bee preſumed to be that which they received from the captived ten Tribes, when they firſt learned from them to worſhip the God of Iſrael, 2 Kings 17.27.) I found a ſtrange difference in it, touching the yeers of the generations before the birth of Abraham, both from our Septuagint, and our Hebrew Bibles. Before the Flood, by diminiſhing the generations of Jared, Methuſalah and Lamech, it comes ſhort of us. After the Flood (for the moſt part agreeing p. 557with the Septuagint) it much out-reckons us. To be ſhort, it exceeds in the upſhot our Computation three hundred and one yeers. So that the Birth of Chriſt falls according to it in the yeer of the world 4254.The Account it ſelf. Agreeable whereto the ſix thouſand yeers of the Creation would bee compleat in the yeer of Chriſt 1746,* and ☜ conſequently Antichriſts two and forty months, or one thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeers would begin in the yeer of Chriſt 486. which is preſently after the depoſition of Auguſtulus, in whom the Empire of Weſterne Rome expired.

§. 3 So that according to this Account the beginning of the thouſand yeers, of which we treat, will be about ninety three yeers hence.

§. 4 But in page 334. Mr. Mede ſaith, It came into my minde (ſaith he) to try by the Samaritan Pentateuchs account of the Genealogies before, and after the flood (falling ſhort of our account in the former, but ſuperabounding ours in the later) how neer the ſix thouſand yeers of the world would be by that Computation; I found it would be Anno Aerae Chriſtianae, i.e. in the yeer of Chriſt 1736, which is juſt the very yeer when the one thouſand two hundred ſixty yeers of the Beaſts reign will expire, if it be reckoned from the Depoſition of Auguſtulus the laſt Roman Emperour. And he gives you the particulars, thus;

§. 5 So that according to this Account, the end of the ſix thouſand yeers of the world, and the beginning of that thouſand yeers wee ſpeak of, will be about eighty three yeers hence.

SECT. VII. Mr. Parkers Accounts.

§. 1 THe footing of his Accounts are thoſe places of Scripture in the Prophet Daniel, and in the Revelation of S. John. viz. ##

¶ 1 That in Dan. 12.11. And from the time that the daily ſacrifice ſhall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh deſolate ſet up, there ſhall be yeers 1290.

p. 558¶ 2 That in Dan. the ſame Chapter verſe 7. It ſhall be for a time, and times, and an halfe; and when he ſhall have accompliſhed to ſcatter the power of the holy people, all theſe things ſhall bee finiſhed. That is, ſaith Mr. Parker, by collating it with Rev. 12. v. 6. compared with v. 14. yeers 1260.

¶ 3 In Dan. 9.24. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and upon thy holy City, to finiſh the Tranſgreſsion, and to make an end of ſin; that is, ſaith Mr. Parker, yeers**For (ſaith Mr. Parker) This Propheſie ſeemeth not to be underſtood of the times between the Babylonian Captivity, and the Paſſion of our Saviour, the Lord Chriſt, or the deſtruction of Jeruſalem, for ſeveral reaſons, chiefly theſe, I Becauſe in no place of all the New Teſtament, is this Propheſie uſed againſt the Jewes, to prove the Meſſiah already come in the fleſh. 2 If the reſtauration of the City, verſe 25, be underſtood of the material Jeruſalem, after Nebuchadnezzars captivity, it muſt begin in the firſt of Cyrus; And then from that time the ſeventy weeks of yeers, will fully and entirely expire long before the birth of Chriſt. 3 That ſame cutting off of the Meſsiah, here ſpoken of, is clearly and expreſſely joyned with the deſtruction of the City, ſaid to be done in one week, viz. to be accompliſhed in the laſt ſeven yeers; as it is in verſe 26, 27. whereas Chriſt ſuffered above thirty yeers (if not ſorry) before the deſtruction of marcrial Jeruſalem. 4 and laſtly, Thoſe phraſes in our 24. verſe (afore quoted for the footing of the account in hand) viz. To finiſh the Tranſgreſsion, and to purge iniquity, and To make an end of ſinnes, and To bring in everlaſting righteouſneſſe, are moſt MANIFEST CHARACTERS OF THE TIME OF THE END, as ſhall be ſhewed. For my judgement is, that theſe ſeventy week of yeers are limited, and cut out for the reſtauration of the ſpiritual Jeruſalem, namely the Church of Chriſt, from the ſpiritual Babylon, and the ſervitude of Antichrist, and muſt end in the entire, and full purgation thereof, from Antichriſtian defilement, and from the courſe of other morall tranſgreſſions, I Becauſe thoſe effects characteriſing the end of theſe yeers, viz. The conſuming of tranſgreſsion, and the bringing in of everlaſting righteouſueſſe, verſe 24. are effects to be accompliſhed in the Chriſtian Church at the fall of Antichriſt, Iſa. 1.25, 26, 27, 28. And Chap. 27. v. 9. Rev. 21.28. 2 In other Prophets, the reſtauration of the Chriſtian Church from the Babylon of Antichriſt is in like types proportionably repreſented. Iſa. 10, & 11, & 13, 14. Jer. 50.51. Apec. 14.6, 7, 8. & 16 19, 15.7. 18, 2, 10, 21.3 The ſtraiss of times, v. 25. and the deſtruction of the City v. 26. do fitly agree to the Antichriſtian perſecution. See Chap. 8.24.11.13.4 The effects of the laſt weeks are parallel with Antichriſtian perſecution, deſcribed Apoc. 11. For as the Chriſtian Church in both places is ſignified by the holy City, Apoc. 11.2. with Dan. 9.26. and ſtreights of time are ſaid in both places to goe before the laſt afflictions, Apoc. 11.3.5.7. with Dan. 9.25. So the laſt afflictions are alſo propoſed with marvelous agreement; There three yeers and half of Tyranny over the conquered Saints (Apoc. 11.8, 9.) in the end of perſecution; Here halfe a week of yeers; that is preciſely three and an halfe, cut out for the ſame end. There Warre immediately preceding the foreſaid triumph, Apoc. 11 7. Here in like manner. 5 Becauſe from the beginning of the ſecond halfe of the laſt week, or of the three yeers and halfe, a Prince is ſaid to cauſe the ſacrifice, and oblation to ceaſe, v. 27. A phraſe attributed to Antichriſt, Chap. 8.11. and 11.31. there ſaid to take away the daily ſacrifice. And many other reaſons there are to the ſame effect, and purpoſe.Isa 1:25Isa 1:26Isa 1:27Isa 1:28Rev 21:28Rev 21:2Isa 10Jer 50:51Rev 11Rev 11:2Dan 9:26Rev 11:3Rev 11:5Rev 11:7Dan 9:25Rev 11:8Rev 11:9 490.

¶ 4 In Dan. 8.13, 14. How long ſhall be the viſion concerning the DAILY SACRIFICE, and the TRANSGRESSION of DESOLATION, to give both the Sanctuary, and the hoſt to be TRODDEN UNDER FOOT? And bee ſaid unto me, unto 2300 DAYES, then ſhall the Sanctuary be cleanſed. That is (ſaith Mr. Parker) Yeers 1150.

Which Mr. Parker makes out thus: There are numbred two thouſand three hundred mornings and evenings. Now by taking one morning and evening, for one full day, which are halfe of two thouſand three hundred, there are eleven hundred and fifty remaining.

§. 2 Thus of the footing of Mr. Parkers Accounts. Now to the Account it ſelfe. There are two wayes (ſaith he) to accommodate the (aforeſaid) yeers, viz. Either the very darke and weake beginning of the ſignes of the Popes Kingdome, doe ſet the termes of beginning to the yeers; or elſe the more evident, open, and perfect ſtate thereof.

¶ 1 The weake and darke beginning of the ſignes was before the p. 559yeer foure hundred, as about the yeer of Chriſt 360, or 390. &c. But we will ſpeak no more of this account made by Mr. Parker, writing it above twelve yeers ſince, becauſe that Account is ſince that, expired, viz. in the yeer of Chriſt, 1649. This Propheſie being yet unfulfilled.

¶ 2 Way of accommodating the aforeſaid Texts, laid for the footing of the Account, according to the commanding, effectual, and open ſtate of the Popes Kingdome properly ſo called, and the more perfect ſtate of the ſigns thereof, is thus,

Unto Yeers

570

600

710

1370

Adde

1290

1260

1150

490

Yeers.

And they will end in the Yeer 1859.

¶ 1 (To open this Account) one thouſand two hundred and ninety may begin (ſaith Mr. Barker) in five hundred and ſeventy, according to the round Number. For then, upon the coming in of the Longobards into Italy, began the evident and open ſtate of the Pope, Kingdome. So expreſly Machiavel in his Hiſtory of Florence, l. 1. Coeperunt hoc tempore Pontifices Romani majori eſſe in dignitate, quam antea fuerant, &c. which for the Engliſh Readers ſake I will tranſlate, The Roman Popes (ſaith Machiavel) at this time began to bee in greater dignity, then formerly. Anon after they had ſcarce any dignity and eſtimation, but that which they procured unto themſelves by their ſanctimony of life, and by doctrine, before the time of the Longobards. But againe, WHEN THE LONGOBARDS CAME INTO ITALY, THAT IT WAS RENT INTO VERY MANY FACTIONS, THE PAPAL POWER BY THIS THEIR INVASION, WAS MUCH AUGMENTED, &c.

¶ 2 The one thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeers may fitly begin (ſaith Mr. Parker) in the yeer 600, according to the round Number. For then began Gregory the Pope to deforme the Church with Rites and Superſtitions. Alſted Chron. Myſt. Iniq. And indeed the Hiſtorical uſe of Images began about the yeer 400: But the ſolitary Images of Saints began not to be ſet up in Temples, before the yeer 600. Perk. Then began Gregory the Pope to command a Litany for the invocation of Saints, to be ſung publickly. Then (ſaith Perkins) of a commemoration of Saints, was made an invocation of them. About the ſame yeer Gregory the Pope contended about the Primacy, with the Patriarch of Conſtantinople. And about ſix yeers after the yeer 600, the Pope was made by Phocas, Univerful Biſhop. And then firſt was the priviledge confirmed to the Church of Rome, of primacy over all Churches; Alſted. Laſtly, from about this time the Pope began to ſend forth his Emiſſaries for the ſubjecting of the people of Chriſtendome unto his Papal Authority.

¶ 3 The eleven hundred and fifty (being the halfe of the two thouſand three hundred (by taking one morning and evening for one full day) may begin (faith Mr. Parker) moſt fitly at the yeer 710 becauſe then Antichriſt began publickly, and in open Councels to p. 560authoriſe VVORSHIPPING OF IMAGES, & to eſtabliſh the ſame, and the INVOCATION OF SAINTS, and to maintaine the ſame, by CONSTANT PERSECUTION.**Alſted Chron. c.de Concili is. Sigen. de Regno Ital. contur. Magdeburg. Then began alſo the Pope to exerciſe POWER AND DOMINION OVER KINGS AND EMPEROURS. ††Sigon. BaldusAnd from this time forward he ceaſed not to purſue the Emperours of the Eaſt, in favour of Idolatry, untill ſuch time as he had utterly caſt them out of Italy, and eſtabliſhed his own Kingdome in the Empire of the Francks **Platina. Onuphrius..

¶ 4 The foure hundred and ninety yeers, or ſeventy weeks of yeers may begin (ſaith Mr. Parker) at the yeer 1370, becauſe from that time began the time of Wickliffe, who with his followers were pronounced and perſecuted by the Pope as Hereticks, giving him the name of Hereſiarcha, i. e. The Prince or chiefe of Hereticks. So that all the numbers in this ſecond way, will preciſely end in the yeer 1859.

§. 3 According to this Account, the approach of the glorious time will be two hundred and ſix yeers hence. But that I may temper this, and ſome other of the former accounts that remove their period ſo farre off, let me tell you, that ſome learned men thinke that the Computation from the Creation to this day, ordinarily received, is farre larger then in truth it ought to be. Of which in the following Sections.

SECT. VIII. The Account of Anonymus, the German Doctor, Author of Clavis Apocalyptica, or the Prophetical Key.

§. 1 HIs Poſition is this**Clavis Apoc. p. 25, 26.27, &c., That the one thouſand two hundred and ninety yeers in Dan. 12. v. 11. began with the laſt abominable deſolation of the Temple at Jeruſalem in the yeer of our Lord 365: and the Apocalyptical one thouſand two hundred and ſixtieth yeer, with the invaſion of the Roman Empire by the Goths in the three hundred ninety fifth, and that both together doe expire with the one thouſand ſix hundred fifty fifth yeer, which is now ſhortly at hand. And that ìn the 1655 yeer of Chriſt ſhall expire the 6000 yeer of the Creation of the World.

§. 2 This he makes out thus; "The Chronologers ſupputation (ſaith he) in generall is this, That this preſent 1650 yeer of Chriſt is the five thouſand five hundred ninety ninth ſince the Creation of the World. But if we doe well conſider the Chronological numbers, expreſſed in the Scriptures, it will evidently appear that in this preſent 1650 yeer of our Lord, doth expire the five thouſand nine hundred ninety fifth yeer ſince the Creation of the world; and the ſix thouſand yeer of the world will end with the 1655 yeer of our Lord. According to the vulgar ſupputation of yeers; the 1655 yeer of our Lord will be the 5604 yeers ſince the Creation of the World. Unto theſe adde the yeers which either by the Chronologers have been omitted p. 561or made too few, or left our, viz. Firſt, ONE YEER whiles the Flood laſted. Secondly, SIXTY YEERS, untill the birth of Abraham. Thirdly, TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN YEERS of the ſojourning of the Children of Iſrael IN AEGYPT. Fourthly, ONE HUNDRED YEERS, from their going forth out of Egypt, untill the building of the Temple of Solomon. Fifthly, ELEVEN YEERS of Zedekiah, the laſt King of Judah. Sixthly, SEVEN YEERES in the times of the Kings of Perſia. Seventhly, TWO YEERS, which Scaliger, Helvicus, and Calviſius doe referre to the ſupputation of yeers ſince the Birth of Chriſt, all amounting to three hundred ninety ſix yeers**He demonſtrates theſe 396 yeers to have been omitted, or leſſened in our common Account thus, ¶ 1 The ONE YEER while the Flood laſted, by Gen. 7.11. and Chap. 8. v. 14. according to the ſupputation of Functius, Reuſnerus, Partilius, and other ¶ 2 The SIXTY YEERS untill the birth of Abraham, becauſe he was not born in the ſeventieth yeer of Terah; for Terah dyed in Haran, Gen. 11.32. when he was 205 yeerold. Immediately after the death of Terah, Abraham departed out of Haran, Gen. 12. v. 4. Act. 7.4. being old 75 yeers. From thence it doth follow that Abraham was borne when Terah was old 130 yeers. ¶ 3 TWO HUNDRED FIFTEEN YEERS of the ſojourning of the children of Iſrael in Egypt, by that in Exod. 12, v. 4c. and 41. where we read theſe words, the ſojourning of the children of Iſrael, who dwelt in Egypt was 430 yeers; which common ſupputation doth derive from the time of Abrahams calling, when he was 75 yeers old, Gen. 12.4. in this manner following. Untill the birth of Iſaack, Gen. 21.5.25 Yeers. Untill the birth of Jacob, Gen. 35.26.65 yeers. Jacob was old when he went into Egypt, Gen. 47.9.130 yeers. Which make up 215 yeers. But to ſay, The children of Iſrael dwelt in Egypt onelyonly 215 yeers, is againſt the clear Text, which doth not ſpeak of the Fathers, but of the children of Iſrael, not of their pilgrimage, but of their ſojourning and bondage, not without and within Egypt, but onelyonly in Egypt. Abraham indeed went downe into Egypt, Gen. 12.10. but ſojourned there not long, and was not in any bondage. Iſaac came not at all into Egypt, being forbidden, Gen. 26 2. Jacob was 130 yeers old before he went downe into Egypt (Gen. 47.9.) So that thoſe 430 yeers of the ſojourning of the children of Iſrael who dwelt in Egypt, &c. afore recited olt of Ex. 12.40. and mentioned alſo in Gen 15.13. in theſe words, God ſaid unto Abraham, Know aſſuredly that thy ſeed ſhall be a ſtranger in a Land that is not theirs, and ſhall ſerve them, and they ſhall afflict them 400 yeers, muſt begin their ſupputation from the 130 yeer of Jacob, and his entrance into Egypt, unto which muſt be added 215 yeers. ¶ That ONE HUNDRED YEERS from the Iſraelites going forth out of Egypt, untill the building of the Temple of Solomon muſt be added to the common Account, is thus demonſtrated: Aera vulgaris doth reckon in this period of time 480 yeers, according to the letter of the Text, 1 King. 6.1. But by the book of Judges, and other books of Scripture, it doth appear that they were about 580 yeers, which keeping the Doctors owne words, and matter, I ſhall ſet down in a plainer method and manner thus, 1 In the groſſer ſummes thus, The Iſraelites were in the wilderneſſe ſorry yeers (Deut. 1.3. Act. 13.18.) Joſhua was ſeven yeers in winning and dividing Canaan (Joſh. 14.10.) Untill Samuel 450 yeers (Act 13.20.) Under Samuel and Saul forty yeers (Act. 13.21.) Under David forty yeers (1 King. 2. ….) Under Solomon three yeers (1 King. 6 1.) which ſix ſummes make up juſt 580 yeers. 2 In particular ſummes thus, Forty yeers Iſrael was in the wilderneſſe under Moſes. Seven under Joſhua (as we ſaid afore. Eight under Cuſhan (Judg. 3.8.) Forty yeers under Othniel (v. 11) Eighteeen yeers under Eglon (v. 14.) Eighty yeers under Ebud (v. 30) Twenty under Iabin (Iudg. 4.3.) Forty yeers under Deborah and Barak (Chap. 5.31) Seven yeers under the Midianites (Chap 6.1) Forty yeers under Gideon (Ch. 8.28) Three yeers under Abimelech (Ch. 9.22.) Three and twenty yeers under Tola (C. 10.2) Two and twenty yeers under Iair (v. 3.) 18 yeers under the Philiſtimes. (Chap. 10.8.) Six yeers under Iephtha (Chap, 12.7) Seven yeers under Ibzan (v. 9) Ten yeers under Elon (v. 11) Eight yeer under Abdon (v. 14) Forty yeers under the Philaſtines (Chap. 13 1) Twenty yeers under Sampſon (Chap. 16.31) Forty yeers under Eli (1 Sam. 4.18) Forty yeers under Samuel and Saul (Act. 13.21) Forty yeers under David (1 King 2.11) Three yeers under Solomon (1 King. 6.1) All which four and twenty particular ſummes make up four hundred and eighty yeers ¶ 5 The ELEVEN YEERS of Zedekiah (the laſt King of Judah) that are to be added, are thus demonſtrated. The vulgar ſupputation is reckoned from the bu…ing of the Temple (by Solomon) to the deſtruction thereof (by Nebuchadnezzar) 417 yeers. But by this Account 11 yeers wil be unjuſtly cut off, becauſe that vulgar account begins the Captivity of Babylon in the laſt yeer of Iechoniab who was King immediately afore; inſtead whereof, it ſhould, upon good ground, be referred to the eleventh yeer of Zedekiah, at which time the Temple was deſtroyed (Michael Meſtlinus queſt. 7. Chronol. pag. 67. &c. Reuſnerus de ſupput. Annorum mundi, pag. 38. Iohan. Piſcator in ſuo Chronol. Indice pag. 15. with others.) ¶ 6 THE SEVEN YEERS in the times of the King of Perſia that are omitted by the common Account, but to be ſupplied by true Account are SIX YEERS of Cyrus and ONE YEER of Xerxes the ſecond (of which ſce Meſtlinus Quect. Chron. pag. 35.38.) ¶ 7 And laſtly, the TWO YEERS added by Scaliger, Calviſius, and Helvicus, he leaves us to them, to demonſtrate to us.Gen 7:11Gen 11:32Gen 12:4Acts 7:4Exod 12:4Gen 21:5Gen 21:25Gen 35:26Gen 35:65Gen 47:9Gen 47:130Gen 12:10Gen 26:2Exod 12:40Gen 15:131 Kgs 6:1Deut 1:3Acts 13:18Josh 14:10Acts 13:20Acts 13:211 Kgs 2Judg 3:8Judg 4:31 Sam 4:181 Kgs 2:11 I ſay, adde them to the common Account of five thouſand ſix hundred four to be the age of the World, in the 1655 yeer of our Lord, and it will be manifeſt the ſix thouſand yeers ſince the Creation will expire with the 1655 yeer of our Lord.

p. 562§. 3 Thus wee ſee this German Doctor (who ever hee was) deales fairly. For as he brings the end of the World nearer then our common Account, by Three hundred ninety ſix yeers; ſo he gives his reaſons, and Scriptures, and his particulars, of which he makes up his additionall Account of yeers that are expired, of which, we that have beleeved the common account, were not aware.

§. 4 And although ſome men may be apt to thinke, that he may bring the end of the world nearer then he ſhould; yet thoſe men conſulting with mature reaſon, upon the whole of his account (differing from the common Computation) that it amounts to the value of above three hundred yeers, they will eaſily be perſwaded to acknowledge that the thing is very well worthy of all learned men fitted that way, to look into all Computations, Sacred and Divine; and throughly to examine how indeed, and according to truth, the matter ſtands.

§. 5 To which the moſt holy, and unerring Scriptures give a great aſſiſtance, not onelyonly in the particular materials, but in forming and making up the generall Account, as we have heard, eſpecially if we conſult the Margin.

§. 6 To all which I will adde but this word, that if the ſix thouſandth yeer of the World doth expire in the yeer of Chriſt 1655, and that the Jewes account of the laſting of this world ſhall be but ſix thouſand yeers, and then comes their reſtauration from their preſent diſperſion, we can expect no more then, in the ſaid 1655 yeer, but the call of the Jewes, who from that time ſhall ſtrive with the Turke, and all enemies of the Jewes converſion five and forty yeers, Dan. 12. afore their ſettlement, before which Call I expect the fall of the Roman Antichriſt.

SECT. IX. The Julian, and the Jews Account.

§. 1 THis moſt artificial Julian Account was brought in by Scaliger, not without precedent of an ancient Author, and the approbation of the learned of our age. It is compacted of two Circulations, the one of the Sunne, the other of the Moon, and of an Indiction. The Circulation of the Sunne is the ſpace of twenty eight yeers, in which compaſſe of time, the Feſtivals, and dayes of the week returne into the ſame order, and courſe they were at firſt. The Circulation of the Moon is the ſpace of nineteen yeers, in which compaſſe of time the New-Moons returne to the ſame time as at the beginning of this Circulation. The Indiction (ſo called from the appointment or command for the Roman Luſtra, or ſacrifical ſolemnities) doth containe a Syſtem of yeers to the number of fifteen (in which ſpace three Roman Luſtra did paſſe over.)

§. 2 According to this Julian Account, the end of this world is brought far neerer, then our common account, either of the Yeer p. 563of the World from the Creation, or of the Yeer of Chriſt ſince his Nativity doe report. Of which in particular, ſeeing other Chronologers give an annuall account, and it is ſomething wide from all the preceding computations, my great haſte ſhall be ſilent. For it is ſufficient for our preſent purpoſe to know in generall, that all the moſt learned doe not conſent that the end of this world is ſo farre off, as our common account doth make report.

Much leſſe ſo farre off as the Jews Account would make us beleeve, who write above two hundred yeers ſhort of our vulgar Computation, of which judicial account, Helvicus ſaith thus, The Judicial period was made by R. Hillel Hannaſi about the Yeer of Chriſt three hundred forty four which at this day the Jews do uſe for their Epocha or Computation from the Creation, but perperam, corruptly; For it is not an hiſtorical, but a meer artificial Account, and begins far ſhort of the true beginning of the world. Of which ſee Scaliger Cannon, 277. &c.

SECT. X. Johannes Jacobus Hainlinus his Account.

THis laborious and learned Author**In his Sol Temporum, ſive Chronologia Myſtica. His ſaid book in fol. bears date Tubingae 1646. tells us, That the end of all things is at hand, and that between 1650 and 1697. wonderfull things ſhall come to paſſe, viz. Then ſhall end, and be taken off the divine wrath, yet, alas for them! abiding upon the Jewes. Then ſhall be fulfilled the entire ſecular week, or the double-ſquare number of the Septenary of yeers. Then ſhall bee the One thouſand two hundred and ninety dayes in Dan. 12.11. fulfilled; and the One thouſand three hundred thirty five yeers in verſe 12. And then ſhall be the change, by the ſixth, and laſt great day of the world, after which is expected the laſting Sabbath.

And in the cloſe he ſaith the ſeverall Accounts of the age of the world doe differ ſeverall hundreds of yeers the one from the other.

Jamque opus exegit, ſpes exſpes, auſpice Chriſto.

Inde Deo ſummo, gloria ſumma datur:

AMEN

FINIS TOTIƲS OPERIS.