The Person and Period of the Antichrist, Discourse · Chapter 10
CHAP. X.
252. NOw come we to the great foreign] the grand Enquiry concerning the time of the fall of Antichriſt, which hath puzl'd ſo many grave, holy, and learned Interpreters. There is a ſtrange Itch, and a ſtrong propenſion of deſire to know this; Oh that we may go to Christ privately, (as the Diſciples did, Mat. 24.3.) and ſay to him, tell us when ſhall theſe things be, and what ſhall be the ſign of the Coming of Christ? We are ready to ſay with Balaam, Numb. 24.23. who ſhall live when God doth this?
253. Various Calculations and Computations of time (about Antichrist's fall) are extant at this day, even by many good Men, and great Lights in their Generation. My preſent Work ſhall be to draw a compendious Scheme of the ſeveral Conjectures of thoſe moſt illuminated Servants of Christ (paſſing by others, I conceive were leſs enlightned) and then ſuperadd my own Conceptions (quales, quales ſunt) though I may ſay with Luther [Ego nullus ſum in Propheticis] I am neither a Prophet, nor the Son of a Prophet.
254. There be two ſeveral ways of Computation, eſpecially (according to the diverſity of mens Apprehenſions) which they take, to find out the time of Antichrists fall: ſome grounds their Conjectures upon that Number given to Daniel (who was the great Revealer of thoſe Secrets in the Old Teſtament, as John was in the New) Dan. 12.11. That from the time of the daily Sacrifices taking away, and the Abomination of deſolation ſetting up, there ſhall be a thouſand two hundred and ninety Days or Years.
255. To omit all forrain Writers (which would make the work more tedious) I ſhall only ſpeak of our own Countrymen, who (according to their Light) hath made inquiry into this great Myſtery: Some of thoſe follow the Computation of Daniel, as 1ſt. Dr. Willet in his Comment on this Dan. 12.12. who relating Bullinger's Opinion [That thoſe 1290 Days have reference to the laſt destruction of Jeruſalem, becauſe the Jewiſh War before the final destruction of their great City, lasted ſo many Days.
256. The Doctor anſwers Bullinger thus. That thoſe 1290 Days muſt not be reckoned from the beginning of the Jewiſh War, but from the ſetting of the Abomination in the Temple by Antiochus, which laſted 3 Years and an half: and ſeeing the Number 1335. (mentioned in the 12. ver.) differs from 1290. juſt 45 Days, he conceives, that hath relation to Judas Macabaeus his cleanſing of the Temple, 45 days before Antiochus his death. Now all this he makes a Type of things to come, looking on Antichrist in the New Teſt. to be the Antitype of Antichriſt in the Old, and correſponding each with other, in Nature and Circumſtance.
257. Hereupon he ſpeaks to the Conjecture of ſome, that (becauſe there be 45 days difference betwixt 1290. & 1335.) do gather from thence (that after Antichriſt it deſtroyed, Chriſt will come in Glory, at the end of 45 days) but he anſwers to this, that then it would be known by Daniels Prophecy, when the day of Judgement is, which is contrary to the Scripture of the New Teſtam. Mat. 24.36. Luke 12.40. but rather thus (ſaith he) Chriſt by the brightneſs of his Coming will cleanſe his Temple (as Judas Macabaeus did) and 45 days after, he will ſlay Antichriſt. Here we have (at leaſt) an obſcure Intimation of the time of the fall of this Man of Sin.
258. But more plainly Mr. Symonds (Paſtor of Roterdam) reckons by Daniels Numerical Rule, and obſerving how Julian (the Apoſtate) endeavoured to ſet up the Abomination-Temple of the Jews, and to reſtore Judaiſm in deſpight of Chriſt himſelf (whom he would have proved a Liar thereby) and all thoſe Chriſtians that lived in his Empire: how alſo Chriſt from heaven fought againſt his enterprize with Thunder and Lightning, and with an Earthquake from below, that caſt up the very foundation which he had laid.
259. Hereby Chriſt (whom he would have prov'd a Liar) fulfill'd his own Prophecy more fully, then it was before. That (not only above ground, but not ſo much as under ground) one ſtone ſhall not be left upon another, Mat. 24.2. Thus by a moſt eminent hand the Lord took away the Jews daily Sacrifice, and rooted up their Abomination-Temple, yea, and at the ſame time the Delphich Temple of the Heathens was utterly deſtroyed, to tell all the world that neither Judaiſm nor Paganiſm ſhould be ſet up any more, but the Kingdom of Chriſt.
260. Theſe tranſcendent Providences Mr. Symonds and others, (I ſay) obſerving, are thereby perſwaded to begin this 1290 days or years at this Exploit of Julian (which ſome ſay, was in An. Dom. 360.) and ſo the period of that Computation ends in 1650 Y. of Chriſt (which is long ago expir'd) only there is a reſerve of 45 Years which prolongs this account to 1695.
261. There be other holy Men, that caſt their eye (in this work) not upon Daniels number only, but on Johns alſo: as Mr. Tilling-haſt, who begins his account of 1290 Years at the Rebuilding of the Jewiſh Temple by Julian, which (he ſays) was in the Y. of Chriſt 366. to wit, 6 Years lower than the former Calculation, this for Daniels number; but then the 1260, or the 42 Months (which is Johns number) he begins at the Year 396 after Chriſt.
262. And he gives this reaſon for the latter, becauſe (ſaith he) at the Ye. 396. was the time of the Beaſts riſe, for then came in the Worſhipping of Images, Prohibition of Marriages, Traditions, and Antichriſts exalting himſelf above the Magiſtrate. Now both thoſe Numbers, to wit, that of Daniels (the Prophet of the Jewiſh Church) holding out the time of the Rejection of the Jews, and of Antichriſts domineering over beleeving Gentiles, jump exactly into one Period (ſc. 1656 Y.) which alſo is elapſed, and yet no Vial it powred on the Seat of the Beaſt.
263. Dr. Goodwin likewiſe goes this way, comparing Daniels and Johns Prophecy together, and making that Angel with the little book in Rev. 10. to be the ſame that appear'd to Daniel, Dan. 12. for (ſaith he) both thoſe Angels (1) uſe the ſame Ceremony, to wit, the lifting up of the right hand towards Heaven (2) both ſwearing the ſame Oath, to wit, by him that liveth for ever, Dan. 12.7. and Rev. 10.5,6. (3) both their Swearing hath one end about the ſame thing, and to the ſame purpoſe.
264. For that Prophecy of Daniel contains (but more darkly) the ſame things, that the Revelation of John (more clearly) handles; as namely the Tyranny of the 4th. Monarchy, and the oppreſſion of the Church thereby: (Firſt by the Empire, then under the laſt head of it, the Pope, of whom Daniel had Prophecy'd, Chap. 11. from v. 36. to the end) after whoſe time ended, ſhould come in a fift Monarchy of the Saints, as Ch. 7. all which things are more diſtinctly preſented to us by John; as namely under the 7th. Trumpet, (after the time of the Pope ended) a glorious Kingdom ſhould come in, Revel. 11.15.17.
265. And (4ly.) as they both agree in one ſubject matter, ſo likewiſe in ſetting down the time (determined of God) how long this laſt head (the Pope oppreſſing the Church) ſhould continue: to wit, for a time, times, and half a time, (Daniel mentioning it thus Darkly and Indefinitely) and when this laſt head ſhall have accompliſhed to ſcatter the power of the holy People, then all thoſe things ſhall be fulfilled, Dan. 12.7. but tis more clearly and diſtinctly mentioned by John, (as became a Revelation) Chap. 11. ſo as indeed the 11th. of Revelation, is but an Explication of the 12th. of Dan. for the better comfort of the Church.
266. Then coming to pitch upon the time of Antichriſts fall, Dr. Goodwin concurs in his Conjectures with thoſe that reckons by Daniels Number of 1290. Y. and fixing the beginning of this account in Julians time, which was the laſt time both of the ceaſing of the daily Sacrifice ſet up by him, and a ſetting up Heatheniſh Idolatry in the World: and he ſays, we may not reckon from Titus Veſpaſians time, (who deſtroy'd the Temple) for then the term is expired long ago.
267. And he, finding two Periods of time moſt chiefly pitcht upon by writers of this age, for great changes in the Churches of Chriſt; the one about 1656. and the other upon 1666. he (I ſay) falls in with both thoſe Periods, ſhewing how both may ſtand together: for the 5. Vial (ſaith he) hath 2 ſeveral powrings forth of 2 ſeveral portions; the one is the top, and the other is the dregs or bottom, The top of the Vial may be powr'd out in Y. 1656. to prepare for the other, but in Y, 1666. the dregs of its wrath ſhall fall on the Seat of the Beaſt.
268. The latter of thoſe Periods he reckons by Johns Number of 42. Months, or 1260. Y. fixing the head of this account in the Year 406. after Chriſt, when Pope Innocent the Firſt challeng'd and Uſurp'd Juriſdiction over all Churches: Thoſe two Numbers put together make exactly 1666. but the former of thoſe Periods he reckons by Daniels Number of 1290. Years, which he begins at Julians Exploit, Y. 365. or 366. (becauſe accompts of Years ſince Julians attempt of building of the Temple, is various) which latter added to 1290. Y. makes exactly alſo 1656. according to his 1ſt. Period.
269. He proceeds further; ſaying, Daniel being inquiſitive after the times when thoſe things ſhould he finiſhed: The Angel (which is Chriſt, ſaying, Revel. 11.3. I will give power to my two Witneſſes, &c. which no created Angel could ſay) gives him two Periods, the one 1290. as before, the other 1335. which is the ending of the diſpatch of thoſe great things before the Kingdom of Chriſt, (as the other is the beginning thereof) and which from Julians time, ends about 1700. Y. of Chriſt: There be 45. Years to accompliſh all the preparatory work in, as Antichriſts Ruine, Jews Call, &c. and the firſt Period brings bleſſed times, but bleſſed is he that cometh to the end of the 45. Y. for then is Chriſts Kingdom.
270. There be a 3d. ſort of Holy and Learned Interpreters, that neither build their conjectures on Daniels prophetick Number wholly, nor yet as it ſtands in conjunction with the Apocalyptick number of John: but ſolely upon thoſe numbers they find in the Revelation, which are of two ſorts; 1. That 42. Months or 1260. Days or Years, which is the very term of time the Beaſt hath given him to tread down the holy City, Revel. 11.2.3. and to [do] or continue in, Revel. 13.5.
271. The 2d. Apoſtolick Number is that famous [666.] Revel. 13. laſt, which ſeems to caſt up the Number of the Beaſt; to wit, the date and end of his Tyrannical Kingdom, whoſe days ſhall then be numbred, that is, finiſhed, (as the phraſe is of old Babylon's ending, Dan. 5.26. God hath numbred thy Kingdom and finiſhed it) and the Holy Ghoſt hath computed it (as they have conceived) to be in the Year, which according to mens computation, ſhall be called, Six hundred ſixty ſix Years: Number expreſſing time, for Ariſtotle defines Tempus (to be) Numerus motus ſecundum prius eſt poſterius, Time is the number of Motion.
272. And of this Judgment is an unknown Engliſh writer, in 1589. of Chriſt, Intituling his Book [To the Church of Rome] and Subſcribing himſelf by the two Letters [T. L.] whoſe Writing ſpeaks him a man of a Savoury Spirit, and of no mean ability; I have read it with much complacency: who ſays that in that Year (666.) The great man of Rome ſhall fall as the Uncircumciſed.
273. In the Number of the Beaſt, (he ſaith) the millenary Number is omitted, not only as Known and unchangable, (for Antichriſt was to Reign no more Thouſands then One) but alſo as Reſpecting the common uſe of all Nations, (as well Hebrews as Gentiles) who in their Stiles (for brevities ſake) do both ſpeak and write by the Imperfect Number, omitting the Millenary, (as Munſter in his Calendario Hebraico well obſerves) more then after the Perfect, adding the Millenary.
274. There be others indeed▪ that finding the Number of the Beaſt to be [666.] have therefore made this Number to deſign out the very Year of Antichriſts beginning, or Revelation of his Tyranny and Kingdom, to wit, in the Year of Chriſt 666. ſo Mr. Stephens, and the rather becauſe they find in Eccleſ. Hiſtory, that in that very Year, the Latin Service began in the Church, (which is the Popiſh Service in all Lands) ſee Oſiander Epitome Cent. 7. Pag. 189. ſee Paragr. 289.
275. But Number, when it is put to ſignifie Time, (as Dr. Goodwin ſaith) doth not ſo properly ſignifie the beginning of Time, as the ending of it. When the Number is finiſhed, and (as it were) caſt up and made compleat: then is his Time Numbred and the account of it ſumm'd up, and not before; and therefore Daniel uſeth this Phraſe, [Thy days are Numbred] to denote to us the ending of the Time of the Babyloniſh Kingdom, and not the beginning of it, as was ſaid before.
276. Therefore many godly-learned, declining this latter Notion, hath yet gone over into the Opinion of the former (with T. L.) ſaying, this Cumputation (being called the Number of a man, that is, the ordinary vulgar way of Reckoning years, and meaſure of time, in the ſtile of the whole Chriſtian World) holds out the very year of Antichriſts Expiration, when his Number ſhall be ſumm'd up, that is, in that Year which is (according to mans Computation of years) ordinarily ſtiled 666. as we uſuall ſay 88, for 1588.
277. Yet Mr. Durham (in his Comment on the Revelation) puts another ſenſe on that Number (666) ſaying, it neither denotes the time of Antichriſts Riſe, or of his Ruine; but to ſhew (ſaith he) that this Beaſt is not any ordinary Heretick, but a Chief one, that hath a great Number of lying Doctrines (his name of Blaſphemy) compact together, and we are call'd in Rev. 13. laſt, to weigh his Hereſies judiciouſly, not to number his Figures Arithmetically.
278. He that hath underſtanding of ſpiritual Truths, and his Senſes exerciſed to diſcern them, will ponder the Doctrines of Antichriſt in the ballance of the Sanctuary, (… Belſhazzar was numbred, and found light) Antichriſt's number is the number of Man (for there is no Article in the Greek) not the Wiſdom of God: his Doctrines are not of God, but of Man, yea, Doctrines of Devils. And there be ſexcenti errores Pontificii (as ſome Book-titles be) as if Antichriſt were a Compound of 666 grand errors.
279. Mr. Cotton upon Rev. 13.18. declares his opinion of this (666) that it is neither the Number of his Years when he began, nor the Number of his Years when he ſhall end: not the former (ſaith he) for though ſome think Antichriſt aroſe to a name in the Y. 606. yet they cannot (though Boniface then took upon him the title of Chief Biſhop) make that 666. ſeeing there is 60. Y. difference, and 'tis probable, the Holy Ghoſt would not have err'd ſo much in ſuch an expreſs Number. Beſides Antichriſt was begun before this 606. and this Headſhip, or ſpiritual Advancement is but a part of Antichriſt.
280. Nor can the latter be (ſaith he) for 666. cannot be the number of the end of Antichriſts Years, ſeeing he continues ſtill to this time (which is almoſt a Thouſand years ſince 666.) and to ſay, that in this round Number ſomething is omitted (as when we ſay (88) we mean 1588. yet in Scripture-phraſe (ſaith he) ſuch ſmall Numbers are not regarded; and ſeeing Wiſdom is required to find out this Number, what wiſdom were it for the Holy Ghoſt to leave out a thouſand (as we leave out when we ſay 88. for 1588.] the Holy Ghoſt (he ſaith) doth not ſo here, and therefore it cannot hold out the number of his Period.
281. He thinks as the number of the Beaſt is an oppoſite number to the Number of the Lamb (which conſiſts all of 12. as of every Tribe 12000, and the City had 12 foundations, &c. Rev. 21.14,16,17.) the whole fabrick of Jeruſalem is 12. the foundation is Apoſtolical; but in the Number of the Beaſt, there is nothing Apoſtolical, ſix falls ſhort of twelve. Boniface ſumms up all their Canons in one Book, which he adding to the 5 Books of Decretals, calls it Sextus, thus all their Religion is wrap'd up in 6 Volumes, and the 6. (they call) the moſt perfect of all: hence the Number 6. is pitched on here, the number of a man for Popery is but mans Wit and Invention.
282. Now come we to the other Apocaliptick Number, to wit, the 42 months, or 1260 days or years (which ſome interpret in a way of conjunction with this laſt Number (666.) and therefore I do ſpeak of it the latter, though in the Introduction I made it the former.) Many late Writers hath concurr'd with [T. L.] in making 1260 Y. to be Antichriſts Term, and 666. (the millenary Number being underſtood, though not expreſs'd as before) to be the period of that Term, and to find a fit Correſpondency betwixt thoſe two Numbers, they look out for the riſe of Antichriſt.
283. And finding the Egg of Antichriſtianiſm to be lay'd in the Days of Innocent the firſt, in the Ye. of Chriſt 406. and that by expreſs Commiſſion, there was furthermore granted to the Beaſt, his Heirs and Succeſſors 1260 Years, for the hatching, foſtering, and perfecting of this Egg or Child of Perdition: which being added to 406. makes 1666. to be the very Year wherein the Judgements of God (denounced) ſhall fall upon Antichriſt. And he ſhall as eaſily weigh the fire, or meaſure the wind, or call again the day that is paſt, as avoid the decree of his Down-fall then determined, and as [T. L.] ſaith, then my Lord of Rome muſt lay down his proud waves.
284. Other Interpreters labour for no concurrence, or Coincidency betwixt 1260 and 666. but doth meaſure Antichriſt only by that Leaſe or Term that is given him to do or continue, to wit, 42 Months, or which is all one, 1260 Y. Thus many learned and holy Men, binding up themſelves to this Number only, and varying in their judgements, where to make the Epocha or Beginning of the Beaſts Riſe, hath likewiſe exceedingly varyed in their Opinions, about his Period and Ruine.
285. Mr. Brightman makes the beginning of the Term of Antichriſt to be at Conſtantines coming to the Crown (for then began the war with the Dragon, &c.) when the Man-child was brought forth, that is, advanced to Imperial dignity, Rev. 12.5. and ſo he makes the Authority of the Beaſt to expire about the Year of Chriſt 1546. which year or time was ſo far from ending the Beaſt, that at that time he was rather more advanced, for then did the Councel of Trent condemn the Scriptures, in advancing the Vulgar Latin to be moſt Authentick: and then did Charles the fift war againſt the Proteſtant Princes in Germany.
286. Mr. Durham comes near to this Computation of holy Brightman, making the cloſe of the 1260 Y. of Antichriſts abſolute and uninterrupted Tyranny, and triumphing over the Witneſſes, to fall out in the Year 1559. when Reformation began by publick Authority at Auſperg, till then (he ſaith) the Witneſſes aſcended not into heaven. For then, not only in Germany a Dyet enacted for Religion, but alſo in England it was rais'd up by Q. Elizabeth, and the Year before that, it was receiv'd in Scotland, and the year after, to wit, 1560. in France by Charles the ninth: thus he, in his Comment on Revel.
287. But 'tis objected (ſaith he) againſt this Opinion, that this Computation places the riſe of Antichriſt (over-high) in the 3. Century after Chriſt, which was a time, when the Church enjoy'd both Purity, and Liberty in the Days of that good Emperor Conſtantine. To this, he anſwers thus: As Antichriſt began to work from the Apoſtles time, ſo much more from the time of outward Reſt and Peace which the Church enjoy'd by Conſtantine, who freed her from Heatheniſh Perſecution.
288. Pride ſoon (ſaith he) infected her Paſtors, (Hodiè venenum in Eccleſiam fudiſti, was imputed to Conſtantine, when he made the Church as it were, luxuriant with Temporal Priviledges) and the Roman Paſtor, having the greateſt advantages of ſharing in thoſe Priviledges (as Rome was then the Lady of Kingdoms) began ſoon to improve them, at leaſt ad Potentiam Pontificiam, though not ſuddenly ad Omnipotentiam, as afterwards.
289. The Pontificial Omnipotency, or ſettled Superiority, and the title of Univerſal Biſhop (he confeſſes) was not indeed uſurp'd, till Boniface the third aſſum'd it in the Year 606. After this came in the Latin Service and the Maſs, in the Y. 666. (as I mention'd before, Paragr. 274 by Vitellianus the Pope, then alſo was Pantheon (the Temple of the Heathen God) opened and dedicated to All Saints; and ſo by degrées comes in all the Romiſh Traſh, till Antichriſt came to his full Growth.
290. But there is yet a ſtronger Objection againſt this Opinion (which the judicious Scot labours to remove) to wit, that the Kingdom of the Beaſt is contemporary with the Sackcloth-Prophecy of the Witneſſes, and this muſt be, for after the Aſcenſion of the Witneſſes, and the Earthquake, the 7th Trumpet ſounds, and all Kingdoms become the Lords, Rev. 11.11,12.13,15. The downfall of the Beaſts kingdom muſt be before this, though he ſay, the Aſcenſion of the Witneſſes may conſiſt with the decaying Kingdom of the Beaſt, who muſt be destroyed gradually under the 7th Trumpet, yet this ſenſe is cumbred with many difficulties, as will appear afterwards.
291. Mr. Cotton goes yet a little lower then either of the former, in placing the beginning of this 1260 Y. to wit, to 96 or 97 Y. after Conſtantine, rendring this Reaſon, that though the War began with Conſtantine, and the Woman fled into the wilderneſs (as Mr. Brightman rightly obſerves) yet it cannot be ſaid in his time, that there was no place found for the dragon in Heaven, for this (ſaith he) was the failing of that good Emperor, that he ſtil allowed the Heathen-Idol-Temples to continue, only ſhutting their Doors, which his Succeſſor Julian, opened again, and reſtored the Dragon to his Heaven of ſpiritual Authority.
292. Though the war was begun by Conſtantine, yet was it not accompliſhed by him, ſo as to caſt out the Dragon wholly, and ſo as no more place to be found for him in Heaven, this was not (he ſays) till the time of Theodoſius, then did the Emperors renounce (and not before) the title of Pontifex Maximus. Hereupon the Beaſt (the Pope) the very next year after, takes up this Name, and holds it to this day. What ever be the Popes name, 'tis Pontifex Maximus; now this was about 396. Y. after Chriſt (as 96. after Conſtantine) which Number being added to 1260. makes up 1656. Antichriſts Period.
293. This learned and holy man was not alone in his Expectations of eminent Providences in that Year, or about it (as is manifeſted before, in Paragr, 262, & 267.) yet his modeſty in this his Conjecture is very eminent, ſaying, I will not be too confident, becauſe I am not a Prophet, nor the Son of a Prophet to foretell things to come, yet he expected a great blow would be given to the Beaſt, and to the head of the Beaſt: yea, and the Expiration of his Power and great Authority, in his Comment. on 13. Rev. pag. 87, 88, 90, 93, 94.
294. Yea, Mr. Mede himſelf (whoſe Labours the Church of God hath much cauſe to bleſs God for) pitcheth his Expectation upon this Y. 1656. though tacitly and implicitly; for in his Synchroniſmes, he making the firſt Trumpet, and the Popes 1260 Days to begin together, and in his Comment pag. 71. he makes the beginning of the firſt Trumpet to be in the Y. 395. after Chriſt, ſo as if the Reign of Antichriſt began at that time with the firſt Trumpet. 'Tis clear enough, Mr. Mede inclin'd moſtly to 1655. or 1656. for the Expiration of Antichriſts kingdom.
295. There is another ground that made this Year of 1656. a year of great Expectation becauſe it was the year of Noah's Flood in the old World, (unto which Chriſt compares his Coming, Matth. 24.37,38. as if there would be ſo many years to the firſt beginning of the new World to come ſince Chriſt, as was of the old World before the Flood, till the days of Noah, to wit, 1656. years. The Kingdom of Chriſt is called by the name of the World to come, Heb. 2.5. becauſe it ſhall bring with it new Heavens, and a new Earth; wherein dwelleth Righteouſneſs, 1 Pet. 3.13.
296. There be other learned Interpreters, that fix the beginning of this 1260. Y. upon other times; ſome upon the Y. 383. after Chriſt, becauſe then the Councel of Conſtantinople acknowledged the Primacy of the Roman Biſhop, wherein the Beaſt received much power: others on 401. Y. after Chriſt, for then Pope Innocent drew all Appeals to Rome, and about that time, the Myſtery of Iniquity was reveal'd.
297. the former Hypotheſis of theſe two laſt, brings down Antichriſts fall to 1643. Y. after Chriſt, and the latter of them to 1661. but becauſe Chronologers vary in their Computations, to wit, when Innocent the firſt (who began the uſurpation of Authority and Juriſdiction over all Churches, and firſt ſet out that notorious Falſification of the Canons of Nice, as pretending that thoſe Canons gave the Roman Biſhop this Power) was created Pope, Some ſay in the Y. 404. this makes Antichriſts Period in the Y. 1664.
298. But other Chronologers makes his Creating Pope, in the Y. 406. as Sympſon the Scotch Abbreviator of the Hiſtory of the Church) pitches the beginning of the Popes Uſurpation in this Y. 406. who yet had no Eye (at all) upon that great Year of Expectation [1666.] in ſo pitching it, but becauſe at that time according to his Calculations, he found that this Nocent Innocent the firſt was created Pope, as appears in his Engliſh Hiſtory of the Church, 2d Book, 5. Century and pag, 323.
299. Mr. Burroughs, and many other holy Men hath begun their Computation of Antichriſts Term at this Innocent the firſt, partly for the reaſon aboveſaid, and partly becauſe this Pope 1ſt took upon him power over Princes, for he excommunicated the Eaſtern Emperor Arcadius (who yet was out of his Juriſdiction) for baniſhing Chryſoſtome, which none of his Predeceſſors (the Popes) ever attempted to do (a Copy of his Excommunication is extant in Baronius) and in his time alſo the Emperor Honorius exempted his Clergy from all Secular Powers, ſo made them a diſtinct Body for the Pope as their Head, a lively repreſentation of the Apocalyptick Beaſt.