Works, Book 4 · Letter 25 – Letter 28
EPISTLE XXV.
A more distinct and perspicuous expression of the last of those three ways to interpret that twelfth verse of Dan. 7.
I Confess my skill in the Chaldee is no more but Grammatical, yet thus much a little smattering in Grammar could teach me; and so made me seek in what sense it might be translated singularly, notwithstanding the plural Affixes following it, and what this rest or remainder of the Beast (if it be so turned) might be.
First, I observed that in the destruction of the Fourth Beast immediately before mentioned, the Body of the Beast was precisely and particularly named; whereby I began to conceive the Remainder here spoken of might be the Beast's Horns, that is, the eyed and mouthed Horn with that Decarchy of Horns subject to him, which the Holy Ghost would tell us was destroyed at the same time, and together with the Body of the Beast: And so the Text to be construed thus, The Body of the Beast was destroyed, and given to the burning flame; And the rest of the Beast also (viz. the Horns) had their dominion taken away, after that a continuance of life had been given them for a season and a time. Thus interpreted, it would answer to that part of the Angel's interpretation, verse 25. which saith, that the State of the Beast under the wicked Horn's dominion should last a time, and times, and half a time; whereunto otherwise there will be nothing answering in the Vision.
Secondly, The Kingdom of the Son of man immediately following the expiration of this season and time in the Vision, would answer to that in the Interpretation, verse 22. The Horn prevailed against the Saints, until the Ancient of days came and the Saints possessed the Kingdom.
Thirdly, It is certain that the Session of Iudgment described in the Vision sate to destroy the wicked Horn; for so saith the Angel, verse 26. But the Iudgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion: And Daniel himself in the Vision exspected to see that in special; for as soon as the Bench was set, and the Books were opened, verse 10. I beheld then, (saith he, verse 11.) because of the voice of the great words which the Horn spake, viz. he looked what would become of the Horn. Something then should seem to follow in special concerning it, else Daniel was frustrate of his looking: But what follows? I beheld until the Beast was slain; This is something, but general only: And his Body destroyed; This indeed is special, but not that which Daniel looked after: For how would these hang together, [I looked to see what would become of the Beast's horn, and, I saw his Body destroyed?] should it not seem rather to follow, to answer Daniel's looking, And the rest of the Beast also, that is, not the Body only or people of the Beast's dominion were destroyed, but the Horns also, with their Captain-horn who spake the big words, (that is, the State then domineering) had their dominion taken away after they had enjoyed it a season and a time?
Lastly, Those words of the Angel's interpretation, verse 26. The Iudgment shall sit, and take away his dominion, (that is, the Horn's dominion) seem to have reference to that passage in the Vision which saith in the same words, that the rest of the Beast had their dominion taken away. The reason of the plural Affixe's answering to a singular Antecedent being, because this rest of the Beast had in it a plurality of Kingdoms. according to the rule of the Grammarians, That a singular Antecedent to be taken collectively or distributively, may have a plural number answer to it. This was my adventure.
I. M.[This and the two short Letters that follow, though written at some distance of time, are in this (as in the former) Edition joyned together, as being preparatory to the better understanding of the large Letter immediately following.]
EPISTLE XXVI.
Mr. Burnet's Letter to Mr. Mede, touching the Provostship of Trinity Colledge near Dublin.
SIR,
I Am bold to write unto you, though a stranger, to certifie you that I hear Dr. Bedle, Provost of Trinity Colledge in Ireland, is chosen Bishop of Kilmore in Ireland, which is valued worth 600 l. per annum, appointed thereto by the King; howbeit some time will be ere he leave the Colledge: in the mean space I am bold to intreat your Answer, to know if you will accept the place of Provost if you be chosen thereto, as you were wrote to by my Lord. Primate formerly before Mr. Bedle went. I am now writing to my Lord Primate an Answer of Letters this day I received from him, and do certifie him of this accident; for it was but this week that the King granted it, and no Letter is yet gone over. I sent the Book you sent me long since to my Lord Primate. I dwell at the sign of the Golden fleece in Lombard-street, and shall expect your Answer next return; and so I commend you to God Almighty, resting
London, April 12. Your loving Friend, Francis Burnet.
EPISTLE XXVII.
Dr. Ames his Letter to Mr. Mede, touching Lawenus his Censure of his Clavis Apocalyptica.
Good Mr. Mede.
I Shewed your Clavis to one much given unto those Studies, and desired his censure; which having at length received, I send herewith unto you, desiring from you to receive what you think fit to be opposed: You shall perceive his full meaning out of the printed Treatise adjoyned. He seemeth to me to carry all to the Iews, upon no other grounds than communion of Phrases. Thus with hearty salutations to you and Mr. Chappel, I rest
Franeker, Oct. 11. Your loving Friend, W. Ames.
EPISTLE XXVIII.
A Second Letter from Dr. Ames, touching Mr. Mede's Defence.
SIR,
YOur Answer to Lawenus I have received, (that you be no longer in suspence) and like so well, that I shall long to see more of your Notions in that kind: yet methinks that Millenary state spoken of may well be understood of the Church raised from a dead condition, and so continued for that space. We have here no News but of Silva-Ducis streightly and hopefully besieged by our Army; the Enemy (as it seemeth) not being in case to bring an Army into the field. Thus with salutations to your self, Mr. Chappel, &c. I rest
Franeker, May 27. Your loving Friend, W. Ames.