The Person and Period of the Antichrist, Discourse · Chapter 11
CHAP. XI.
300. TThere be yet two Opinions behind, which are indeed Heterogeneal to all thoſe before mentioned; the firſt is of that our Godly Martyrologiſt Mr. Fox, which (he ſaith) was after long Study and Prayer, caſt ſuddenly into his mind by Divine Inſpiration: to wit, that thoſe 42. Months muſt be referr'd to the Churches Perſecution under the Roman Emperors, Reckoning from John Baptiſt, (that was ſlain by Herod the Tetrarch) untill Peace was given to the Church by Conſtantine.
301. He takes thoſe 42. Months for Weeks of Years, by which Reckoning, they make 249. Years; to which, if we add the 30. Years of Chriſt, when he was Baptized by John, it amounts to 324. Years after Chriſt, in which Year (he ſaith) Conſtantine the great embraced the Chriſtian Religion: To this ſingular Opinion of this holy Man, I ſhall ſpeak to by and by, (and yet without deriding it as the Popiſh Writers do) when I come to lay down my own Opinion (ſuch as it is) on this Subject.
302. The 2d. Opinion is Dr. Beards, (one who hath writ a very Learned Treatiſe of Antichriſt) whoſe notions (in this point) differs from all others (of the Interpreters aforeſaid) about this Apocalyptick Number; ſaying, that it concerns not Antichriſts Reign, but only the durance of the firſt Beaſt, which was the Roman Empire: and he gives 2. Reaſons for this his Opinion; Firſt, 'tis ſaid, Rev. 13.5. that power was given to the Beaſt 42. Months or 1260. Years, this he ſays, agrees with the Event; for from the firſt foundation of Rome, to its Ruine by Theoderick the Goth, paſſed juſt ſo many Years, 1260.
303. His Second Reaſon why this Number holds out the length of the Civil Empire of Rome, (perſecuting the primitive Church) and not the Pontifical or Antichriſtian; is, becauſe (he ſaith) it is not the manner of Holy Scripture to premonſtrate any certain Periods of thoſe Inteſtine Troubles which are rais'd up in the Church by falſe Chriſtians; but only by ſuch as ariſe from Foreign Enemies, that profeſſedly oppoſe the Truth: As we ſee (ſaith he) in the Perſecution of the Antient Church under the Egyptians, and Babylonians, and Antiochus.
304. Thoſe Perſecutions are defined in a certain Number of Years by the Prophets: but not that which was executed by their own Idolatrous Kings, as Jeroboam, Manaſſeh, and the reſt of thoſe Ungodly Kings of Iſrael; ſo (ſaith he) thoſe Numbers in the Apocalypſe are not to be referr'd to Antichriſt, (who was to be a Domeſtick Foe, this is anſwer'd in Par. 347.) but to the Bloody Cruelty of thoſe Heathen Tyrants, the Roman Emperors who (ſaith he) are the Gentiles that treads under foot the Holy City 4.2. Months, Revel. 11.2. yea he further affirms that this 42. Months in Revel. 11.2. and that in Revel. 13.5. are all one in effect, and cannot be well underſtood, but of the Heathen Emperors.
305. To this Opinion alſo I ſhall ſay ſomething, as well as to the other of Mr. Foxes, (when I give my own conceptions of the point) and that in the firſt place, (though they be laſt named) becauſe they hold ſo little conſonancy with my own Opinion, and (as I Judge) with the Truth: and herein my method ſhall be firſt to declare (Negatively) what is not the mind of the Holy Ghoſt among thoſe various Interpretations: and then [Poſitively] what (according to the beſt Scripture-light God gives me) is the true ſence.
306. I come now to caſt in my own mite, (ſuch as it is) not without trembling and aſtoniſhment, and that on a 3 fold Conſideration; 1. The abſtruſe difficulty and myſteriouſneſs of this Subject; which may well be Reckon'd among Peters, [foreign] 2 Pet. 3.16. things hard to be underſtood: tis ſuch a profound myſtery, as Angels can but peep into it, [foreign] 1 Pet. 1.12. and ſuch an one, as coſt John many tears to underſtand, Rev. 5.4. This Conſideration makes me cry out, [foreign] Oh the depth of the Wiſdom of God, Rom. 11.33. It cauſeth me to admire the profoundity of the Scripture, to kiſs the Book and to lay it down, and to weep over my own Ignorance, and to cry, Oh when ſhall I know as I am known, 1 John 4.2. Gal. 4.9.
307. The 2d. Conſideration is, the miſtakes that ſo many famous lights of the Church have been found in, about it: Some out-living their own Conjectures, and finding them falſe, have been conſtrained to confeſs that they were on the dark ſide of the Cloud when they wrote them: Others (though not living ſo long) hath yet been confuted by time, which is the ſureſt comment upon dark Propheſies: the 3d. Conſideration is, the Conſciouſneſs I have of my own inability for ſo great a Work, which would pinch the Shoulders of an Angel: if it be ſaid who is ſufficient for theſe things, 2 Cor. 2.16. much leſs, poor I, that am leſs then all the Servants of God.
308. Yet that which encourages me againſt thoſe Diſcouragments is, that all ſufficiency comes from God, 2 Cor. 3.5. that he hath promiſed his Spirit to them that ask him, Luk. 11.13. that this Spirit doth [removere prohibentia] and [applicare auxiliatoria] that the Lord puts Treaſure into Oyſter ſhells, [foreign] 2 Cor. 4.7. and conveys water of Life through a Leaden Pipe, as well as through Golden ones: that he hath promis'd bleſſedneſs to ſuch as Read and Search this Book, Rev. 1.3. and his Spirit of Truth to guide into all Truth, Joh. 16.13. I would therefore come forth in the Strength of the Lord, Pſal. 71.16. and plow with his Heifer to find out his Riddle, Judg. 14.18.
309. I how ſhall aſſay this great Work, according to the beſt Light the Father of Light gives, by whoſe help a Lamb may ſwim, where an Elephant may ſink down into the bottom: and 1ſt. Negatively, (according to my propounded Method) the firſt Opinion I have to ſpeak to, is that of our Godly Martyrologiſt Mr. Fox, whoſe notion I cannot aſſent to, for thoſe following Reaſons; 1. His changing Months into Weeks ſeems not to hold a clear conſonancy with the ordinary current of Scripture, (which of puts Days for Years, as Num. 14.…4. and Ezek. 4.5,6.) but never (that I know of) are Months put for Weeks.
310. My 2d. Reaſon is, that the Revelation is a general Prophecy of occurences to come from Johns time, to the end of the World, beginning at the 4th. Chap. to the end of the Book, (as the 3 firſt Chap. contain 7. Epiſtles to 7. particular Churches which were then in being) Chriſt comes to ſhew John things that muſt ſhortly come to paſs, Rev. 1.1. and the the time was at hand when thoſe things (Repreſented to him in a Viſion) ſhould begin to be put in Execution, v. 3. then Ch. 4. v. 1. Chriſt calls up John, ſaying, come up hither and I will ſhew thee things that muſt be hereafter.
311. Now thoſe two things being ſeriouſly ponder'd: 1. That the Revelation is not an Hiſtory of things paſt, but a Prophecy of things to come, which were to Commence after Johns writing it, in regard of their firſt beginning: and 2ly. That John wrote this Book about 94 Years after Chriſt, thence (I ſay) it may ſtrongly be concluded, that the Perſecution of John Baptiſt by Herod can be no part of this Prophetical Viſion, being a diſpenſation long before executed: and preceded in time not only all the parts of the Prophecy, but alſo the 7. Churches then in being.
312. I ſhall add other Reaſons in the ſequel againſt this Opinion as it hath a coincidency with that of Dr. Beards, (about the Pagan Empire) it ſhall ſuffice now to ſay, that as Simon Magus could not be the Antichriſt, (ſpoken of in the Revelation) becauſe that was a ſtory that was expir'd long before the writing of this Prophetick Book (as before is ſpoke of in the 15. and 16. Paragraph) ſo, much leſs can that Perſecution of the Church before Chriſts death, be any part of that Perſecution (foretold of in the Revelation,) which Chriſt (after he was dead, and lived again, Rev. 1.5.18.) ſhew'd to John, ſhould afterwards come to paſs.
313. Yet the Sanctity of this Godly Mr. Fox, (being ſo famouſly known) and his ſaying that he receiv'd it in a ſolemn manner by Divine Revelation, and the event likewiſe ſo aptly correſponding thereunto, being all well weighed, his Opinion may not be ſcurrilouſly derided (as it is by ſome Romiſh Authors) which hath more probability and Reaſon it, than a multitude of their idle dreams and phantaſtick imaginations; but rather [cum grano ſalis] may be charitably embraced, as a fair Gloſs upon the place, among many other Gloſſes of Holy and Learned Men.
314. The 2d. Opinion [of Dr. Beards] I cannot cloſe with neither, for thoſe following Reaſons; Firſt, The two Apocaliptick Beaſts muſt contemporize, (1.) Becauſe the latter Beaſt is ſaid to exerciſe all his Power in the Preſence of the firſt Beaſt, [foreign] Revel. 13.12. and (foreign) v. 14. both which expreſſions makes the 2. Beaſts Contemporary, but the Pagan and Antichriſtian Empire ſucceeded one another in a long diſtance of time; and ſo Antichriſt ſhew'd no wonders in the Preſence of the Pagan Empire.
315. Again (2ly.) 'tis very probable the 2d. Beaſt is call'd the falſe Prophet, Revel. 19.20. having the ſame deſcription there that is found in Revel. 13.12.14. (that wrought Miracles before him) to wit, the 1ſt. Beaſt; ſo that in Rev. 19.20. we ſee the Beaſt and his Chaplain; to wit, the 1ſt. and 2d. Beaſt, both taken together and caſt into the Lake of Fire burning with Brimſtone: as two Inſeperable Companions, they are neither ſeperated in their Riſe nor in their Ruine: but it is commonly known, that Antichriſt did not Riſe before the Pagan Empire was Ruin'd: For that was the (foreign) that letted him from appearing, 2 Theſſ. 2.6.7. there was no Room for Antichriſt at Rome, while it was the Seat of Pagan Emperors.
316. Thus my firſt Argument or Reaſon (being thus ſtrengthen'd with theſe two Illuſtrations) conludes effectually againſt the Doctors Opinion, that the firſt Beaſt is not the Roman Empire, (ſee more of this Subject in Paragr. 145. & 146.) neither in reſpect of its Continuance nor Perſecution. My 2d Reaſon is, the Roman Empire and this Beaſt have two differing deſcriptions, (as both Mr. Mede, and Mr. Cotton, &c. obſerves) for the Roman (Pagan) Empire is deſcrib'd, Rev. 12.3. with 7. Heads and Ten Horns, (as this firſt Beaſt is) but with this difference in Rev. 12. the 7. Heads had 7. Crowns on their Heads, but in Rev. 13.1. the Crowns are not on the Heads but on the Horns, which maketh a great difference both in Place and Number; for in Rev. 12. but 7. Crowns, but in Rev. 13.1. there be Ten.
317. A 3d Argument that will be concluding againſt his Opinion is, that it is laid down as a mark of Reprobation, and ſo of Damnation to give honour to this firſt Beaſt, Rev. 13.8. They that honour this Beaſt are ſuch, whoſe names are not written in the Lambs book of Life: as if it were thus ſaid, they ſhall periſh eternally, that yield obedience to this Monſter of Iniquity (as Mr. Cotton, and Mr. Mede explains it) but to yield civil Subjection to the Civil Power (even of a Nero) is not Damnation, but Duty, Rev. 13.3,5.
318. Again a 4th Argument is, that the 42 Months (this firſt Beaſt had to continue) muſt in all likelihood be reckon'd from the healing of the deadly Wound. Now whereas the Doctor makes this term of time to reach from the firſt Foundation of Rome, to its Ruine by Theoderich. Where can we fix (according to that Notion) either the receiving, or the healing of this Wound? Rome could not be wounded before it was Rome: and if we fix it on any time after, then it will over-reach its ruine by Theoderick, which he pitches upon.
319. Thoſe Arguments may be improv'd againſt the Notion, about the Civil Rom. Empire whether Chriſtian or Pagan, and are concluding againſt Mr. Fox's Opinion, as well as Dr. Beard? I ſhall have an occaſion to ſpeak more of thoſe two Beasts afterwards, which will further eneruate thoſe two foreſaid Opinions: and as the Doctor ſaith [that God uſes not to praemonſtrate to his Church any certain Periods of her Inteſtine troubles] I think, the contrary may be evidenc'd even in the very Inſtances of that learned Man: as firſt, in his Inſtance of Jeroboam.
320. The man of God ſets down a plain Period of Jeroboams Idolatry, 1 Kin. 13.2. that Joſiah (by name) ſhould carry out, what Jeroboam brought in: and though this fell out not till 330 Y. after, yet is it as punctually ſet down in particular Circumſtances, as if it were a Relation of things paſt, and not a Praediction of things to come: compare with it, 2 Kin. 22.1,2. & 23.15,16. Now becauſe the time was long betwixt the Praediction and the Execution; the Prophecy comes attended with various Confirming Miracles [as the rending of the Altar, the withering of Jeroboams hand, and the Restoring of it again] that it might be believed: and why may not God foretell the Period when Antichriſts Idolatries ſhall be caſt out alſo.
321. And in his other Inſtance of Manaſſeh, God granted his Church ſome Prophets in thoſe bad times, to reveal his Counſel concerning the iſſue of his Idolatry, 2 Kin. 21.10. & 2 Chron. 33.10. God alſo told his Church by Elijah, the iſſue of thoſe two Troublers of Iſrael [Ahab and Jezabel] 1 Kin. 21.19,21,23,25. It was foretold, that though this curſed Woman eſcape the ſword of Hazael, yet Jehu ſhould ſlay her, 1 Kin. 19.7. compar'd with 2 Kin. 9.35,36,37. notwithſtanding all her Painting, v. 30.
322. Now was the Lord thus gracious to his Church under the Old Teſt. to fortell what ſhould become of this painted Strumpet (that for a long time had baniſh'd Gods Prophets, perſecuted his People, and ſet up the Worſhip of Baal (painting her ſelf, and attiring her head, to make Jehu (the King) fall in love with her, 2 Kin. 9.30. and will not the Lord tell his Church under the New Teſt. what ſhall become of this Scarlet Whore (whereof Jezabel was a Type, as before) who hath enchanted the Kings of the Earth ſo long with her Painted attirements? Yes, the Lord hath ſaid that (after her Leaſe of 42 Months) God will raiſe up ſome Jehu's to hate this Whore, and to burn her with fire, Rev. 16.17.
323. This leads me to a 3d Opinion (which I ſhall ſpeak to alſo by way of Refutation) which is not only the Judgement of this very learned Author aforeſaid, but of many other judicious Divines, to wit, that the 1260 Days, or 42 Months are not to be taken literally but myſtically, and that they do not denote any certain definite Time in reſpect of Human Underſtanding, but only this, that God in his Counſel hath determin'd a ſet bound and limit to the Perſecution of his Church, which cannot be paſſed over, and though this be certain to God, yet 'tis uncertain to us, for 'tis not given to us to know times and ſeaſons, Acts 1.7.
324, I muſt confeſs, this Notion ſeems both plauſible, ſafe, and ſuch as would put an end to many Controverſies about the various computations of this Number. Yea, and the many miſtakes of holy and learned Men (about Calculating it) may be thought ſome kind of Confirmation of it. Yet how it can be embraced, with any Faith in Gods word, I cannot ſatisfie my ſelf for thoſe following Reaſons. 1. The title of the book (call'd a Revelation) ſhow, that it is a manifeſtation of Gods ſecret Counſel concerning his Church, and concerning the World, in order to his Church (both the fata Imperii & Eccleſiae) to the end of the World.
325. And this not only in general terms, but it is a diſtinct and particular Diſcovery of all the eminent paſſages and pauſes of Providence, that appertains unto the Church in the World; It was a Revelation given by the Father to the Son (as he was the Churches Mediator) to acquaint his Servant with it, and not to keep it to himſelf. Now we may not ſay, that God reveal'd thoſe concernments of the Church in general terms only to his Son, or that this Lion of the tribe of Judah, did not open this ſealed Book wide (or well) enough: this would not have ſtayed Johns great Weeping, Rev. 5.6,8. and beſides, it takes away a great part of that Comfort (for which this book of the Revelation was given to the Church in thoſe Ages of her Perſecution) to ſay, it contains only general Intimations, and is not a diſtinct Revelation.
326. My 2d Reaſon or Argument againſt this Opinion is, It makes the Antè-Nati to ſee and know more then the Poſt-Nati: the old Teſtam. Church (that was before Chriſt) to have greater Priviledges then the new Teſtam. Church that was after him: as if the former of thoſe two Men (which bare the cluſter of Grapes between them on a ſtaff, Num. 13.23.) had an equal, yea, a fairer View of that cluſter (ſo carried) then he that followed after with his face towards it: whereas the face of the other was from it.
327. The Old Teſtam. Church had reveal'd to her how long her Bondage in Egypt, her Captivity in Babylon, and her Perſecution by Antiochus ſhould continue: and ſhall not the Church under the New Teſtam. have it as diſtinctly revealed to her, how long her Bondage in Spiritual Egypt, her Captivity in Myſtical Babylon, and her Perſecution under Antichriſt (whereof Antiochus was the Type) ſhall continue? This is to advance the Priviledges by Moſes, above thoſe by the Meſſiah, as if the Twilight of the Church in her Minority and Nonage (under Shadows and Ceremonies) exceeded the Noon-day of the Goſpel-Church, which hath her face towards Chriſt, and to which God hath ſpoken by his Son, Heb. 1.1,2,
328. A third Argument or Reaſon againſt this Opinion is, when an indefinite time is intended by the Holy Ghoſt by a definite. His manner is, not to uſe Phraſes wherein broken Numbers are, but whole, as in thoſe words of Jacob to Laban [thou haſt chang'd my wages ten times, Gea. 31.41.] ſo in Numb. 14.22. in both which places, a certain Number is put for an uncertain, this is uſual in Scripture, as Job 19.3. Zech. 8.23. Lev. 26.26. but ſtill by a whole (not by a broken) Number: yea, in Chriſts words, Mat. 18.22. (till 77 times) there is a round Number uſed, for Peters 7 is only multiplied into ſeventy times 7. to ſignifie oft or many times: but here in 42 Months, and in 1260. Days broken Numbers are expreſſed as well as the whole, and neither of them are any where in Scripture-phraſe uſed for Indefinite time.