Works, Book 4 · Letter 5

Works · Book 4 · Letter 5

p. 734EPISTLE V.

Mr. Hayn his First Letter to Mr. Mede, about several passages in Daniel and the Revelation.

SALUTEM in CHRISTO. Worthy and Learned Sir,

SOme kind friend have lately imparted to me your Synchronisms of the Apocalyps printed, and some other written passages on Daniel's times and other parts of Scripture. The world must needs give good entertainment to your painful and learned labours, who p. 735have undertaken paths troden by few, with much care of sure footing, especially in your Synchronisms: Yet see how it falls out (as in this kind it cannot be avoided) in all things you shall not find assent. For my part I know well quàm sit mihi curta supellex; yet partly that I may be better instructed my self, partly to give you occasion of further clearing the Truth, I have sent here included some Positions, with Arguments confirming them, contrary to some of your Tenets; desiring your favourable interpretation of my meaning, and your Answer at your best leisure: and assuring you that I do this not contradicendi studio, sed amore veritatis indagandae, and minding (if you encourage me thereto) to shew hereafter my Reasons of some dissent in other matters, I commend you and your studies to God's blessing, and rest

From Christs-parish in London, Iune 5. 1629. Your very loving Friend, Tho. Hayn.

I. POSIT. DAniel shews not the Roman Monarchie's persecution of the Church, and the Fall of the same Monarchy.

Argum. 1. If the Romans persecution of the saints and the Fall of the Romans were not revealed till Christ revealed them to Iohn in the Apocalyps, then Daniel revealed them not. But the Romans persecution of the Saints and their Fall were not revealed till Christ revealed them to Iohn in the Apocalyps. Ergò Daniel revealed them not.

The Major Proposition is evident. The Minor is thus proved.

The Romans persecution of the Saints and their Fall are revealed in the little Book, Apoc. 5. &c. by opening seven seals and blowing seven Trumpets, all concerning sevenheaded Rome: and none was able to open the Seals of this Book till Christ opened them to Iohn. Ergò the Romans persecution and Fall were revealed to none till Christ revealed them to Iohn.

The former part of the Antecedent is granted by the general consent of Interpreters on the Apocalyps. The latter part is clear in the Text, Apocal. 5. None was able to open the Book, none in heaven, or earth, or under the earth. Now if Daniel had shewed these persecutions, Paul, who delivered to his hearers all the counsel of God, could have opened these also: But Apocal. 5. denies that he could, or that any man else could.

Argum. 2. The persecutions of Christ's eternal Kingdom mentioned in Dan. 2. 44. & chap. 7. 26, 27. and frequently in the New Testament, are not prophesied f in Daniel. But the persecutions brought by the Romans on the Church are against Christ's eternal Kingdom, to be preached over the world after Christ. Ergò the persecutions brought by the Romans on the Church or eternal Kingdom of Christ are not spoken of in Daniel.

The Minor Proposition is clear. The Major is confirmed by all speeches of that eternal Kingdom in Daniel. The Stone which became a Mountain is not battered, nor the Mountain any way assailed, chap. 2. The eternal Kingdom breaks the former Kingdoms; but it self is not broken, Chap. 2. 44. When the four Beasts chap. 7. are destroyed, then comes the Son of man in the clouds, and receives the eternal Kingdom, which Iohn Baptist, Christ himself, and the Apostles preached. There also is no persecution of this Kingdom mentioned, Chap. 7. 13, 14. nor Verse 27, &c. The Battel against the Saints, Verse 21. and the consuming of them, Verse 25. concerns the Saints before the setting up of Christ's Kingdom over all the world; as the endeavour to alter**namely such as Moses Law had prescribed for their Feasts and Solemnities. Times and ‖‖namely them of old about Sacrificing and Circumcision, &c.Laws plainly shews. Antiochus Epiphanes was the man that attempted this.

II. POSIT. The fourth Beast, Dan. 7. is not able sufficiently to express the Roman Empire; and therefore it expresseth it not.

Argum. That which is but sufficiently expressed by all the four Beasts, or the chief parts of all four, cannot be sufficiently expressed by one of the four alone, namely the fourth.

But the Roman Empire is but sufficiently expressed by all the four Beasts, Dan. 7. or the chief parts of them. Ergò the Roman Empire cannot be sufficiently expressed by the fourth Beast alone.

The Major is evident. The Minor is thus confirmed.

If the Roman Empire, Apoc. 13. be resembled by a Beast which is composed of all Daniel's four Beasts, Dan. 7. or the chief parts of the four Beasts, then it is but sufficiently expressed by them all. But the Roman Empire, Apoc. 13. is resembled by a Beast which is composed of all Daniel's four Beasts, or their chief parts. Ergò the Roman Empire, &c.

p. 736The Major is proved thus.

Either the Major is true, or else the Composition taken from the three former Beasts and their chief parts is needless. But it is not needless, for God hath nothing needless in his Word. Ergò the Major is true.

The Minor is proved thus.

That the Roman Empire is expressed by a Beast composed of all Daniel's four Beasts, Dan. 7. or the chief parts of them all, is plain thus.

It blasphemes, hath large authority, wars against the Saints, overcomes and prospers. Therefore it is composed and is extracted out of the 4 Beasts, Dan. 7.