The Name Mark and Number of the Beast, Chapter 6

The Name Mark and Number of the Beast · Chapter 6

p. 116CHAP. VI. That the Beginning of the Roman, as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom, is not from the time of Julius, or Augustus Caesar, or from any other vulgar Beginning; but precisely from that instant, when the Church of God came under the Dominion of the Romans, 60 years before the Birth of the Lord, and 666 before the going forth of the Decree, That the Bishop of Rome should be Head over all the Churches.

THere are in this Proposition Two Parts that need special Confirmation: First, That the Roman did begin as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom, when the Church came under the Dominion of that People. Secondly, That from this beginning there is the space of 666 years, to the Universal Headship.

For the Beginning of the Dominion of the Romans, according to different Relations, men may differently state the Epocha thereof. But laying aside all other considerations, we are to note in what sense Daniel doth begin it as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom. And here I stand upon it, That we are principally to look to the state of the Church; How the Church, and the Continent adjoyning, came under the Dominion of that People.

For the clearing of this, we will also demonstrate two things: First, That the Beginning of this Fourth Monarchy is to be stated according to Church-relations. Secondly, We will shew, out of the Stories, in whose times, and by whose means, the Church came first under the Dominion of that People.

Now, That the Roman doth begin, as the Fourth of Daniel's Kingdoms, when the Church came under the Obedience of that People, may be proved by these Arguments.

p. 117ARGUMENT I.

Where the former Three Kingdoms in Daniel's Image did begin, by the same Analogie we are to proceed in stating the Beginning of the Fourth Kingdom.

But the former Three Kingdoms in Daniel's Image, did begin, each of them in their several times, when the Church and the Confines adjoyning came under their Dominion:

Therefore, the Roman, as the Fourth Kingdom in Daniel's Image, began when the Church and the Confines about the Church came under the Obedience of that People.

The Major is clear: For none will Deny but that the Roman doth hold Analogie with the three former Empires in their beginning. And for the Minor, we prove it by Induction of Singulars. As for Ensample.

Example 1. First, In the Babylonian Kingdom (the first of Daniel's Four) there were many Potent Kings that did Reign in that Succession, before the times of Nebuchadnezzar; for he began to Reign in the 144 year of the Aera of Nabonazzar. Now the several Names of the Kings, the times of their Reign, and the order of their Succession, are all set down in the famous Canon of Ptolomy, as we shall shew afterwards. But not to go far for an Example; There is mention made of one Merodach-Baladan, (in the Canon aforesaid, called by the Name of foreign) that he sent Ambassadors to Hezekiah King of Iudah, 2 King. 20. 12. There was then a Succession of Babylonian Kings before Nebuchadnezzar. You will say, Why is he then called, the Head of Gold, as much in sense as the first Babylonian King? I Answer: Though he was not simply the first Babylonian King, (others Reigning before him) yet he was the first Prince of the Babylonians that brought the Jewish Church, and the Confines about that Church, within the Babylonian Empire.

Example 2. Secondly, That Kingdom of the Medes and Persians, whereof Darius and Cyrus were the Founders; if we go strictly to work, the Foundation of these was laid before. For it is manifestly plain by the testimony of the Greek Historians, and by the Chronographical Tables now in the p. 118hands of all men, That there was a Potent Race of the Kings of Media, down from Arbaces the Mede. Yet for all this, Darius and Cyrus are the true Founders of the Mede-Persian Kingdom, because they first brought the Jewish Church under the power of the Medes and Persians. And that which is very remarkable to our present purpose, though it be a thing famously known among Historians, That Cyrus began to Reign in the 55 Olympiad; though he subdued many Nations, & Propagated the Persian Empire very far: yet the Scripture taketh no notice of that beginning, but then only when the Church came within the limits of the Persian Dominion. And therefore it is well Observed by Piscator, in his Scholia upon Ezra, chap. 1. vers. 2. That the Edict came forth in the first of Cyrus King of Persia. This (saith he) is the first year of his Reign in Babylon.

Example 3. The Third Kingdom in Daniel's Image, is that of the Graecians, of which Alexander became the Head at the overthrow of Darius. The rough Goat is said to be the Monarchy of the Graecians; and the Great Horn, to wit, Alexander, is expresly called the first King, Dan. 8. 21. Now, How can he be said to be the first King of the Graecians, seeing there were many Mighty Kings before him, in, and over that Nation? To let pass all the other States of Greece, in Macedonia it self, Philip, the Father of Alexander, was a Potent Prince. But the Answer is, as before, He was the first Monarchical King that subdued the Territories of the Church. There was never any Graecian Prince that extended the Sovereign Rule of that People so far Eastward, to the Confines of the Church, as he. And therefore he is expresly called, foreign the first King of the Graecians.

From all the forementioned particulars, it is clear, That the former Three Kingdoms in Daniel's Image began, each of them in their several times, when the Church came under their respective Dominions. And so the Assumption is proved. If then we proceed in the same Analogie, we must necessarily say, That the Roman began as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom, when the Jewish Church, and the Continent adjoyning, p. 119came first under the Sovereign Lordship and Command of the People of Rome.

But yet for further confirmation of this truth, we will produce some new Arguments, to prove, That the Metal-Kingdoms are Numbred in relation to the Church.

First, The Revelation of these Metal-Kingdoms was specially for the Saints and People of God. For though one end was, to Discover to Nebuchadnezzar what Successions of Tyranny there should be after him; yet this was principally for the Churches sake, and the Churches use. And therefore it is mentioned, This Secret is not revealed unto me for any wisdom that I have above all living, but for their sakes that shall make known the Interpretation to the King, vers. 30. Therefore in the delineation of these Tyrannical Empires, the Lord doth specially intend to Reveal to the Church those Changes and Vicissitudes of times that she should meet withal. In Relation to her then, There is primarily a Discovery of these things.

Secondly, These Metal-Kingdoms are also Discovered, to shew in what Region, or Part of Time, the Kingdom of Christ should begin. All the Scriptures in the Old Testament, point mainly to Christ; some, point to his Parentage; others, to the place of his Birth; others, to the Tribe that he should come of: So this in special, pointeth to that period of time when his Kingdom should begin. These are the words of the text: In the dayes of these Kingdoms shall the God of Heaven raise up a Kingdom that never shall be destroyed. From whence it is manifest, That the Monarchies are reckoned according to the alterations which shall be in and about the Borders of the Jewish Church. For, Where should Christ be Born, but in Iudea? And hereupon he is called, The King of the Jews.

Thirdly, If we go to that Expression so often mentioned, Dan. 11. where the Seleucian is called, The King of the North; and the Dominion of the Lagidae, The King of the South: Here we must necessarily Affirm, That these Empires are said to be North and South in some special relation. And p. 120the Reason is clear, Because Iudea did lie in the middest betwixt them, as a Lamb betwixt Two Wolves; having the Seleucidae on the North, and the Lagidae on the South. Now, that the People of the Jews are herein principally respected, the words of the Angel are clear: I am come to make Thee Understand what shall befal Thy People in the latter dayes, Dan. 10. 14.

From all which we gather, That the Monarchies are specially Numbred according to Church-relations. And therefore the Roman began as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom, when the Church came first under the Obedience of that People. Let us now proceed to the Second Argument.

ARGUMENT II.

Where the Graecian Kingdom, Typed by the Brass-Metal, and the Third Beast, made an end; there did the Roman, typed by the Iron-Metal, and the Fourth Beast, begin.

But at the overthrow of the Seleucian Kingdom in Asia, and at the Conquest of Judea, the Graecian Kingdom, typed by the Brass-Metal, and the Third Beast, did make an end:

Therefore, at the Overthrow of the Seleucian Kingdom, and at the Conquest of Judea, the Roman, typed by the Iron-Metal, and the Fourth Beast, began.

The Major is evident; it being a ruled case in the Body of the Metal-Kingdoms, That where the former ceaseth, the latter doth begin. All the Question is concerning the Assumption, Whether the Graecian ended as the Third Metal-Kingdom at the destruction of the Seleucian? Here I finde that Interpreters are greatly divided. They agree in it, That the Graecian is the Third Kingdom; but they are divided about the particular time when that Empire ended. For, all the Successors of Alexander came not under the power of the Romans at one and the same time. His Successors in Greece ended, when Macedonia was made a Roman Province by Aemilius the Consul, 166 years before the Birth of our Lord. His Successors the Seleucidae in Syria and Iudea, ended, when all that tract of p. 121Land was brought under the power of the Romans by the means of Pompey the Great; & this was done about 60 years before the Birth of our Lord. His Successors, the Lagidae in Egypt, were made a Roman Province by Augustus Caesar; & this was done 28 years before the Birth of the Lord. So then it is plain, That all Alexander's Successors fell into the hands of the Romans; yet all fell not under the Roman Obedience at one time. The great Question is, Where we shall set the Ending of the Graecian Kingdom, as typed by the Third Beast, and the Brass-Metal? And this, I say, must needs be at the overthrow of the Seleucian, 60 years before the Birth of the Lord.

First, In the Original distribution of Alexander's Kingdom, Iudea is pleaded to belong to the Seleucian, Polyb. lib. 5. And therefore the Seleucian is that Successor to whom the Title of the Monarchy doth principally appertain. I do not Deny but the Lagidae somtimes made their Incursions into Iudea, as may be seen, Dan. 11. But in the Original Constitution of the Kingdom, Iudea was allotted to the Seleucian. And that which may strengthen our Argument, if you reade Iosephus, the Book of the Macchabees, and such-like Stories, you shall find, That the Sufferings of the People of the Jews have been wholly in a manner from those Successors of Alexander, that were of the Seleucian line. And this to me is a great Reason, wherefore the Graecian Kingdom, typed by the Brass-Metal, is rather to end at the destruction of the Seleucian Kingdom.

Secondly, At the Overthrow of the Successors of Alexander at several times, the Fall of the Seleucian was only at that time, when Iudea, Ierusalem, and all that Continent of Land fell under the Power of the Romans. Mr Mede, and some Historians, do look principally when Greece, the Head-Province, was brought into subjection to the Romans by Aemilius the Consul: they look here more specially to the ending of the Greek, and beginning of the Roman Empire. But at this very time, Iudea was under the Tyranny of Antiochus Epiphanes; and the true Graecian Kingdom, typed by the Brass-Metal, p. 122and the Third Beast, in great vigor and sulness of strength. For, though in those times Greece, their Native Country, was taken away from the Graecians; yet nevertheless, that People had still the sovereign Dominion in and about the Borders of the Church. And this continued for the space of 106 years, till the time of Pompey the Great; then the Selcucian Kingdom, and together with it, all the Lands of the Jewish Church, fell under the Dominion of the State of Rome.

And, that which may adde to the force of this Reason, let us Consider, First, The limits of the Land of Promise. Secondly, The Governments that there should be erected. For the limits of the Land of Promise, (the Seat of the Church for 2000 years) these are the words of the Charter to Abraham: Unto thy Seed have I given this Land, from the River of Egypt to the great River Euphrates, Gen. 15. 18, 19, 20. This was performed in the dayes of Ioshua, who brought Israel into the Possession thereof. Secondly, For the Governments here erected; The Scriptures do take notice that these Countries were under the Government of the Judges; and then after that, under the Kings of the Line of David, to the times of the Captivity. And then it was revealed to Nibuchadn…zzar, in the Image of Persecuting Empires, what Succession of Tyrannies should be in and over those Countries. For as somtimes the Kings of the Line of David did bear Rule in the Land of Promise: so they continued the Government till the People of Babel got the Dominion. So the People of Babel carried on the times of the Golden-Metal, till the People of Media and Persia did take the Kingdom. And after that, the People of Media and Persia did continue the times of the Silver-Metal, till they were subdued by the People of Greece, under the Conduct of Alexander the Great. And after the Victories of Alexander, the People of Greece went on with the sovereign Dominion over all the Territories of the Church, from the River of Egypt, to the great River Euphrates, till the destruction of the Seleucian Kingdom by Pompey the Great. And then all that tract of Land came under the p. 123Dominion of the People of Rome. So then, we may conclude, As the Seleucian is the immediate Successor of Alexander in and over the Continent of the Church: So where he ended, as the Third Metal-Kingdom over the Church, there the Roman did begin as the Fourth.

Object. But some, perhaps, may Reason, That the Lagidae, the Successors of Alexander in Egypt, were not made Subject to the Romans, till the times of Augustus.

Sol. Grant this to be true, That Augustus did extinguish the last Successor; yet the Monarchy was taken from the People of Greece before, when the Romans came into Asia, and brought all those Eastern Countries about Iudea within the compass of their great Empire. It is one thing for the People of Greece to have a Fragment of the Kingdom of Alexander remaining; and another thing for that People to have the sovereign Dominion over the Continent of the Land of Promise. And this they had, till the Overthrow of the Seleucian Kingdom by the Roman State.

But Helvicus, in a little Treatise intituled, Chronologia Universalis, doth stiffly argue the Point, That the Graecian Kingdom did not end as long as the Lagidae, one of the Successors of Alexander, did remain. These are his words: Quatuor Reg…aunam Monarchiam constituunt, non per se separat…m considerata, sed conjunctim hoc axioma mereri, haud secus ac de mortuo Principe omnes Praefecti Conjunctim repraesentant Principem: Adeo si pars Ditionis ab extero quodam avellatur, illa non Praefecto sed toto Principatui decedat. Ita Romani, ereptâ Asiâ, Occupatá Macedoniâ, diminuêre quidem Monarchiam, extinxisse vero & ad se transtulisse dici non potuerant antequam ultimam partem, Aegyptum subegerunt, pag. 50. From which words of his it is clear, That the Graecian Empire was diminished only at the Overthrow of the Seleucian Kingdom; and it was extinguished at that time only when the Lagidae were brought under the Power of the Romans. But herein he is greatly deceived: for if we must Affirm, That each Metal-Kingdom doth continue as long as any Fragment thereof doth remain, what shall we say by the meaning of this Scripture, p. 124As for the rest of the Beasts, their Dominion was taken away; but their Lives were prolonged for a time? Dan. 11. 12. This plainly sheweth, That after the Imperial Dominion was taken away, there might be some prolongation of life; some inferiour Dominion, as long as any Relique remaineth. This is true in some sense after the death of Alexander the Great: when his Kingdom was divided among his Successors, there was some diminution of the Monarchy, because these Successors did not stand up in his strength; And yet for all this, the Empire of that Nation did still abide. And further, when Aemilius the Consul subdued Perseus, there was a greater defalcation; yet nevertheless, The Graecian Monarchy continued the most prevailing about the Borders of the Church. But afterwards in the times of Pompey, when those Eastern Countries were brought under the People of Rome, then there was not only a diminishing, but a plain abrogation of the Empire of the Graecians. For then the Graecian did not only lose the Imperiality, in a more general sense, but the Imperiality (here principally intended) about the Borders of the Church. And therefore, where the Seleucian made an end, there the Roman began.

Thirdly, The Seleucian, of the Four Successors of Alexander, was the most prevailing, and the most eminent Pri…ce: Therefore, at the Ruine of the Seleucian, we do rather place the end of the Graecian Kingdom, typed by the Brass-Metal, and the Third Beast.

That the Sele…cian was the most notable of all Alexander's Successors, we prove,

First, From the Testimony of the Scriptures. For it is expresly said, That a Mighty King (scil. Alexander the Great) shall stand up; but when he shall stand up, his Kingdom shall be broken, Dan. 11. 3, 4, 5. Now, this came to pass after his death; his Kingdom was divided to Four Successors, the Kings of Syria, Egypt, Asia, Greece. For the Kingdom of Asia, that …oon vanished: and the Kingdom of Greece, or Macedonia, was very remote from the Confines of the Church. All the description is limited to the Two Successors, p. 125Syria, and Egypt; and of these Two, that of Syria was the more Potent. The King of the South (meaning Egypt, shall be strong, and another of his Princes shall be stronger than he, vers. 5. that is, The Seleucian Prince in Syria, called the King of the North, shall be stronger than the other Succes…or. And further, Concerning the Seleucian, it is added, His Dominion shall be a great Dominion. This plainly sheweth, That the Seleucian is the most eminent, and the most notable of all the Successors, according to the Testimony of Scripture. Secondly, This is clear by the Testimony of Historians. For the Stories of the times plainly shew, That the Seleucidae did possess Syria, Babylon, and part of Asia; and, as some will have it, they possessed all from Phrygia, to the River of Indus. Thirdly, It may be confirmed by Reason: for the Antigonidae in Asia, that were one of the Four Successors, were subdued by the Seleucian: and therefore by the Addition of this, the Seleucian must needs be the greater Dominion. Fourthly, Here is the Consent of Modern Expositors; for Iunius, Broughton, Rolloc, Piscator, W…llet, and other Interpreters of this way, do pitch upon the Seleucian as the principal Successor. I do not say, That their Position, in the particular Application, is true: but that which I stand upon, is, The ground of their Reasoning in a more general sense. For if they Affirm the Seleucian to be the fourth Kingdom, in their judgement there must be somthing more eminent and remarkable in that Potentate, above all the rest of the Successors. Wherefore else should they appropriate the Fourth Metal-Kingdom to him only? Lastly, We are to have special regard unto this, rather than to any of the other Successors; because whatsoever is spoken in the Prophecie of Daniel concerning the Graecian or the Third Metal-Kingdom, is specially meant of the Seleucian Kings. As for Ensample: A great part of the description, chap. 8. and chap. 11. is concerning Antiochus Epiphanes his rising, greatness, cruelty against the Saints, and his polluting the Sanctuary. Now, out of which of the Four Successors did he spring? Was not his Original out of the Seleucian stock? And did he not Reign as a Seleucian King? For the Angel speaking p. 126of the Fall of Alexander, and the Rising of the Four Successors, proceedeth in these words: foreign and out of one of them came forth another little Horn. Now, if you enquire, which Successor was that One from whom Antiochus Epiphanes did spring; Did he not arise out of the Seleucian Family?

By all that hath been said, it is clear, by the Testimony of Scriptures, by the authority of Historians, by the weight of Reason, by the consent of Interpreters, and by the sufferings of the Church, That the Seleucian is the most eminent and notable Successor of Alexander. Therefore we do conclude, That we have more special Reason to end the Third Metal-Kingdom at the destruction of the Seleucian, rather than at the destruction of any other successor. If we must end at the the destruction of the Seleucian; where he endeth, the Roman must begin as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom.

ARGUMENT III.

When all things needful to the being of the Fourth Metal-Kingdom, began first to be applicable to the Roman State, at that instant of time did the Roman begin as the Fourth Kingdom.

But at the time of Pompey's Victory over the Seleucian, and his reducing of the Territories of the Church, all things needful to the being of the Fourth Metal-Kingdom, began to be applicable to the Roman State:

Therefore, at the time of Pompey's Victory over the Seleucian, and his Reducing the Territories of the Church, the Roman did begin as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom.

For the Major, none will Deny, That the Roman did then begin as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom, when it did receive all things necessary to the being of that Kingdom. Things do then begin, when they receive all things necessary to their being. All the Controversie is about the Minor, to wit, That the Roman had all things necessary to the being of the Fourth Kingdom and the destruction of the Seleucian. This is proved in these Particulars.

Particular 1. When the Fourth Kingdom beginneth, it must exercise sovereign Dominion over many inferiour Kingdoms. p. 127And so far Melancthon's definition of a Monarchy doth hold true, though Bodin doth much deride it in hi Method of History, chap. 7. So saith Melancthon: Monarchia est summa unius Reipublica potentia, quae aliarum opes & cop as super are possit. A Monarchy is the supreme Power of one Common-wealth, which can easily excel the Riches and Plenty of all other Common-wealths whatsoever. And so could the Roman State, in those times, go beyond all the Kingdoms of the Earth, when the …ewish Church came under the Obedience of that Nation or People.

Particular 2. When the Fourth Kingdom beginneth, it must not only exercise sovereign Dominion over many inferiour States, but also sovereign Dominion over many inferiour States in and about the Borders of the Church. Now, the Roman did first begin to do this, at the destruction of the Seleucian Kingdom, and at the reducing of Iudea to the Obedience of the People of Rome.

Particular 3. The Fourth Kingdom did then begin, when all the Three former Metal-Kingdoms had fulfilled their several and respective times. But the People of Babel, of Persia, and Greece, had then only compleated the times of their Monarchical Rule in and about the Territories of the Jewish Church, at the Overthrow of the Seleucian Kingdom: Ergo, &c.

If we put all these Particulars into one sum, The Fourth of Daniel's Kingdoms may be thus described, To be the Fourth tyrannical State, which in its times, at the end of the Three former, is to bear Rule over all the Earth; but more specially in and over the Churches Continent. This is the true definition of the Fourth Kingdom, so far as such a matter may be defined. For, First, The thing Defined, and the Definition, are Convertible. Secondly, The most Essential Attributes of the Fourth Kingdom are mentioned. Thirdly, They are all mentioned, therefore this is a true Definition. Now, all these things, necessary to the being of the Fourth Kingdom▪ began to be applicable to the Roman State at the Overthrow of the Seleucian, and the Reducing of Iudea by Pompey the Great.

p. 128Object. But here perhaps some will Reply, Julius Caesar was the First Roman Monarch: Therefore the Roman, quatenus the Fourth Monarchy, did begin at the time of Julius Caesar, and no… at the time of their Free-State.

Sol. If you take a Monarchy for a Form of Government in and by One only, I acknowledge Iulius Caesar to be the Foundet of that Monarchy: For, he was the first Prince that changed the Free State into the Government by O…e. But I justly question, whether this be Daniel's meaning, That everywhere, and in every point of time, these Dominions must necessarily be under one Head. To say the truth, This is but a Tradition borrowed from the custom of Speech. They take it for a granted truth, That these Kingdoms must be so Constituted; but this doth not alwayes necessarily hold. The Graecian Kingdom, typed by the Brass-Metal, was under one Head in Alexander the Great. But after that, it came to be under Four Heads, in the times of his successors. Nay, in the inter-Regnum, in the vacancie, it was scarcely under any Head at all. The Roman Kingdom was under one Head in the time of the Caesars. After that, it came divided into Ten inferiour Realms. Nay, there was a time when there was an intercision of Roman Majesty; the Beast was wounded in one of his Heads. And last of all, when the Fourth Kingdom was destroyed, the Dominion, and the greatness of the Dominion under the whole Heaven, was given to the Saints of the most High, Dan. 7. 27. This is expresly said to be given to the People of the Saints, in opposition to Four kinds of People that had the Dominion in the times of the Four Monarchies going before. All these Particulars shew, That it is not alwayes necessary to the Being of Daniel's Four Kingdoms, That the particular Form of Administration should be under one Head. It is a good and a material Observation of Helvicus, in the aforementioned Treatise, pag. 3. Quamobrem (saith he) nihil movemur Aetymologiae Graecâ ex foreign & foreign quam Bodinus ostendit in Methodo Histor. cap. 7. Cum per Monarchiam nihil aliud intelligan us quam imperium in mundo summum, à Daniele praesiguratum, quod Deus potentiâ prae p. 129caeteris instruit, ut caetera illud respiciant. And in very deed, if we narrowly look to the words of the text, though these Kingdoms are familiarly called the Four Monarchies, this is meant chiefly of their Latitude and sovereignty of Dominion, as they are so many summa Imperia. But it is not necessary that these Dominions should be alwayes under one Head: and therefore, whereas it is said, That God gave to Nebuchadnezzar a great Kingdom, and a second arose up after him, and a Third that should bear rule over all the Earth; and lastly, a Fourth Kingdom, as strong as Iron, which shall bring all into subjection: From all this we may collect, That these several Kingdoms must have supreme Dominion over inferiour Realms; but it is not necessary to supreme Dominion, That one man alwayes must bear Rule. And therefore look what sovereign Dominion Nebuchadnezzar began over the Church, the same did descend in as large a way, and in as ample a manner upon the Romans, in the times of their Free-state, when the Church came within the precincts of their Dominion. There is nothing then doth exclude, but that the Roman might begin as the Fourth Empire in the time of their Freesta…e: For then they became supreme Commanders about the Borders of the Church.

Object. 2. But if you Alledge, That this is the way to confound the Free-state and the Monarchy of One together, which ought not to be done;

Answ. It is the plot of the Spirit not to look upon the several Forms of Roman Dominion, but upon the Roman as opposed to one Graecian, one Persian, one Babylonian Dominion going before. The scope of the Prophecie is to shew, That the Earth, especially the parts of the Earth about the Territories of the Church, should fall under the sovereign Command of Four sorts of People. And further, It is the scope of the Spirit to shew, while these several Dominions are in their flux and succession, Christ shall be born, and his Kingdom shall be set up. If this be so, we need not fear the confounding together of Two several kinds of Government into One. It is enough for our purpose, that the Roman was Imperium p. 130in mundo summum, the prevailing Dominion over the Earth at that time when the Church of the Jews came under their sovereign Lordship and Power.

But yet further, They that stand for such a Beginning of the Roman Empire at Iulius Caesar, I desire they would Answer this Question. In the Tables of the Consuls it is manifest, That there is the space of 17 years from the Conquest of Iudea to the Empire of Iulius Caesar. Now concerning this Number of years, it must be either reckoned as a Chasme in the Prophetical Chronologie; or else it must be applied to some one of the Four Metal-Kingdoms. But it cannot be reckoned as a Chasme in the Prophetical Chronologie. For it is clear from the Scriptures, That these Four Monarchical States must continue one after another in a lineal succession; and when their times are in flux and succession, then the Kingdom of Christ shall begin. Therefore this portion of time from the Conquest of Iudea to the Monarchy of Caesar, must necessarily be reckoned as appertaining to one of the Four Kingdoms. If so, it must either appertain to the Graecian Kingdom typed by the Brass-Metal, or to the Roman typed by the Iron-Metal. For none will be so absurd as to apply it either to Babel or Persia, which were destroyed long before. Now, they that apply this term of time to the Graecian Kingdom, how can they make their Position good, seeing that People were brought under the Power of the Romans? But if you apply this to the time of the Roman typed by the Iron-Metal, you give up the Cause, to wit, That the Roman began as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom in the time of their …ree-state.

Object. … … will Reply, The Four Pers…uting States of the world are compacted together into one Image; but the Romans in the time of their Free-State did not Persecute the Church: Ergo.

Sol. By the like Reason you may argue, That Cyrus did not begin the Persian Kingdom, nor Alexander the Graecian, because neither of these Monarchs did actually afflict the Church. But if you shall say, Though they raised no actual Persecution p. 131in their own persons, yet they did first bring the Church within the verge of that Dominion, which in its times did notably afflict her; I may say the same of the Romans. For if it may be supposed, That they did not afflict the Church in the times of their Free-state, yet then she came first within the verge of that Dominion, where were the …orest Persecutions that ever were. In the Book of the Revelation, there is again and again mention made of the Sufferings of the Church under Roman Tyranny; And when she was to bring forth her Man-Child that should Rule all Nations with a Rod of Iron, when she cried in pains to be Delivered, a great red Dragon with seven Heads and ten Horns did lie in wait to Devour her Child, chap. 12. All do agree, That this noteth the Sufferings of the Church under Roman Tyranny. There must then be some particular instant of time when the Church first came under that Tyranny, and there we must set the date of the Tribulation.

Secondly, Whereas it is Affirmed, That the Romans did not Afflict the Church in the times of their Free-state; this I do plainly Deny. For let us hear what is spoken by Iosephus: for he, I presume, in this matter, is able to give us the best information. Thus saith he: Hircanus and Aristobulus, through their Dissentions and civil Broyles, were the cause of that Servitude that fell upon the Iews. For, we have lost our Liberty, and have been subdued by the Romans, Antiq. lib. 14. ch. 8. And further he addeth; That which is to be lamented, the Romans in a little time have drawn from us more than 10000 talents: and the Royalty, which before was an Honour reserved to the High Priests, hath been bestowed upon men of obscurity, Antiq. l. 14. c. 8. But if we go to Particulars, it is a thing famously known to* And besides the Testimonies of Josephus, Dio the Historian …. … … … Iews … Tax…d by Gabinius, …. 3…. all Posterit…, how Crassus did rob the Temple at Ierusalem.

And when all this is done, shall we say, That the Jews suffered nothing from the Romans during the times of their Free-state? If we look to the times of Nehemiah, we may well conceive that these were some of the best times of the Jewish Church: Yet mark what is expressed in the Confession of the Levi…es: Behold, we are Servants this day: and for the Land p. 132that thou gavest unto our Fathers to eate the Fruit thereof, and the good thereof; behold, we are Servants in it, and it yieldeth much encrease unto the Kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins. Also, they have Dominion over our Bodies, and over our Cattel at their pleasure, and we are in great distress, chap. 9. vers. 36, 37. Here was then no publick Persecution for Religion, only their Vassalage under the Persian Kings is here noted. And may not all things be rightly applied to the Romans when they came to have supreme Dominion in the Land of Promise? Were not the Bodies, Lives, Goods, Cattel, of the Jews, and all that they had, at the Roman devotion? Nay further, if we will compare the times that went before, with those that come after, we shall find, before the Romans came into Iudea, that the Jews had indifferently well asserted their Liberty against the Tyranny of the Seleucian Kings; as may appear in the Stories of the Macchabees, that rose up for the defence of their Country. But from that time as the Roman Legions entred Ierusalem, and a Conquest was made over the Churches Continent, the Jews did totally and finally lose that Liberty, to the destruction of their City and Temple. And that which is to be noted, The Christian Church also hath been under Roman Tyranny, more or less, to this very day; as may appear by the Book of the Revelation, and the Stories of the Church.

Now then, if we put all together, we may conclude, That all things neeful to the beginning of the Fourth Kingdom in Daniel's Image, began to be applicable to the Roman State at the destruction of the Seleucian Kingdom, and at the subduing the Territories of the Church. And therefore we do here fix the beginning of the Roman as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom.

ARGUMENT IV.

Where the Story of the Gospel doth insinuate the beginning of the Roman to be, that is the true beginning of the Roman as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom.

But the Story of the Gospel doth insinuate the beginning of the Roman to be in the time of their Free-state, when p. 133the Churches Continent came first within the Verge of their Dominion:

Therefore, within the time of their Free-state, when the Churches Continent came under the Verge of that Dominion, is the true beginning of the Roman as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom.

The Major is plain: for we cannot but think that the Story of the Gospel doth rightly expound the true beginning of the Fourth Kingdom. And for the Minor, That the Story of the Gospel doth insinuate the beginning of the Roman to be in the time of their Free-state, we have these Instances that follow.

The Evangelist being to write the Story of the Gospel, and particularly the entrance of Christ into his Ministery, he hath these words: In the fifteenth year of the Reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being Governor of Iudea, and Herod being Tetrarch of Galilee, and his Brother Philip Tetrarch of Iturea and of the Region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the Tetrarch of Abilene; the Word of the Lord came to Iohn, the Son of Zacharias, in the Wilderness, Luk. 3. 1, 2, 3. Here I demand, What hath the Evangelist to do with the times of the Romans, being a Government so alien to the affairs of the Church? I Answer: There be Two Reasons wherefore he Numbreth the times according to the Roman accompt.

The First is, To shew the Truth of Daniel's Prophecie in the Image of Persecuting States. For there it is expresly said, That in the dayes of these Kingdoms shall the God of Heaven raise up a Kingdom that never shall be destroyed, Dan. 2. 44. Now the Evangelist expoundeth this to be the Kingdom of Christ, and that the Roman in particular is the Metal-Kingdom, in whose times the Kingdom of Christ did begin. And he doth leave it upon Record, That the Lord Christ had a solemn Inauguration into his Office in that part of time when Tiberius was Emperor, in the fifteenth year of his Reign, when Pontius Pilate was Governor of Iudea, &c. Now, if it be the scope of the Evangelist to shew, That the Lord did begin his Office in Preaching the Gospel when the Romans did bea… p. 134Rule, there must be a particular instant of time also, when all in Iudea fell under the Dominion of that People; and that in the sense of the Gospel must be the Epocha, or term of the Roman Kingdom.

Secondly, The Evangelist doth so punctually Number the times according to the Roman Government, because then Iudea (where the Gospel began to be Preached) was under the Command of the People of Rome. And the Evangelist doth no more in the times of the New Testament, than what the Prophets and ancient Writers had done in the times of the Old. As for Ensample: Those Prophets that lived in the times of the Kings of Iudah and Israel, as Isaiah, Ieremy, Hosea, dated their Prophecies from the Reign of those Kings. And from that time that the Kings of the Line of David were taken away, it was the use to reckon by the times of the Four Monarchical States. So Daniel and Hez…kiel, who lived in the times of the Babylonian Empire, do reckon their Visions by the times of the Babylonian Kings: And after them, Ezrah, Nehemiah, Haggie, and Zachary, who lived in the times of the Persian Monarchy, dated their times by the Reigns of the Kings of Persia. And as for those Ecclesiastical Writers that lived in the times of the Graecian Kingdom (as the Author of the Book of the Macchabees) they accounted by the years of the Kingdom of the Greeks. In like manner, the Evangelists, living in the times of the Romans, date the Story of the Gospel by the Roman account. In all which they do secretly imply, That the Roman is the Fourth Metal-Kingdom; and it began so to be, when the Church of the Jews became subject to the People of Rome. So long the Stories of the Church were Numerable by the Roman account.

But let us adde another Testimony out of the same Evangelist, where he telleth us, chap. 2. vers. 2. A Decree went forth from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed: … this taxing was first made when Cyreneus was Governor of Syria. Now whereas he saith, That all the world should be taxed; this is meant only of the world under the Roman obedience. And here we Affirm, When Iudea and the Countries near p. 135Bordering, became Members of this foreign or Roman world; then did the Roman begin as the Fourth of Daniel's Kingdoms. The Evangelist being to speak of the Birth of the Kin… of the Jews, his special purpose is to shew how that particular Continent was under the sovereign Power of Augustus Caesar at that time▪

Object. 1. But here it may be Objected, How could Augustus tax Iudea, when it was under the Power of Herod the King?

Sol. This matter is solidly Disputed by the learned Spanhemius, in his Dubia Evangelica, part. 2. dub. 2. pa. 157. The sum of that which he doth deliver, cometh to this issue: Though Herod was King, he had not jus summum, the supreme Dominion; he had only jus subalternum, a Right and a Power meerly by the courtesie of Augustus. And therefore he citeth a passage out of Appianus, That as Darius was the King of Pontus, and Polemon of Cilicia; so Herod was King of the Jews; that is, meerly by favour and courtesie. Secondly, He sheweth, That there were often Appeals from Herod to the Romans: and therefore he was compelled to plēad for himself before Antonius at Laodicea; and before Augustus, after the Battel of Actium at Rhodes. Many more Arguments he brought, to prove that his Government was meerly Precatious, and at the will of the Romans. Now for that particular time when the Romans began to have the sovereignty over the People of the Jews, this was at the times of Pompey the Great. These are the Authors own words, pag. 160: At a sane erat conditio populi Iudaici tempore Macchabaeorum qu indo à Iudâ Macchabaeo foedus primò cum Romanis initum ubi Iudae… vocantur foreign populi Romani rescripto Sena▪ us ad De…ctrium à quo premebantur, 1 Mac. 8. Sed quam…rimum à Pompeio Magno subacti fuere, societatis nomen in servitutem ab…r, & illi aequè ac aliae gentes d…victae Romanis vectigales facti eorum imperio accessêre. Ab e… tempore Iudaeorum gens in Clientelâ Romanorum fuit, à qu…bus Reges pro arbitrio instituebantur vel destituebantur & tales quidem, quibus precarium & limitatum erat imperium, à nutu eorum suspensum qui Romae rerum pot…ebantur. p. 136In these words of his, he doth plainly distinguish what the People of the Jews were before the Conquest of Judea by Pompey, and what they were after. Before the Conquest, they were Friends, Allies, and Auxiliaries; and after that, their society was turned into servitude; and as other Conquered Nations, so the Jews were made Tributaries to the Empire. From that time, the Nation of the Jews was alwayes under the Dominion of the Romans, by whom their Kings were either set up, or plucked down at pleasure. And for the manner of their Rule, it was meerly limited, hanging upon the good will of them that had the supreme Command at Rome. Now if this be so, I leave it to any man to judge when the Roman did begin as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom. According to these Principles, he must needs begin at the times of Pompey, when the Church was brought under the Power of the Romans.

Object. 2. Why is it said, That the taxing was when Cyreneus was Governor of Syria, and not rather when Herod was King of the Iews?

Sol. The Answer is clear; That though Herod was King of the Jews, yet Cyreneus was the principal Agent of the Romans in the Tax; and Iudea was but a Member annexed to the Province of Syria. Maldonate upon the place (to my apprehension) speaketh satisfactorily: For, saith he, Cyreneus was not the Governor of Judea, but of Syria: but because Judea did then belong to the Province of Syria (as all Authors do deliver) it was his Office to tax not only Syria, but Judea also. And in very deed, much is spoken in the Roman Story, That Iudea was a Member annexed; and Ios…phus calleth it foreign, the Apendix, or the Additament of Syria. If we go to the Original, we shall find in the Stories. That when the Seleucian Kingdom was destroyed, Syria and Iudea, both together came under the Power of the Romans, by the means of Pompe… the Great. And here we set the beginning of the Roman as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom.

But because Spanhemius doth seem to go another way, and doth stand upon it, That Iudea was not a Member annexed to p. 137Syria, till the time of Archelaus, when Iudea was made a Province. Let him now give his Answer, Why the Birth of Christ is recorded by the Evangelist to be in the times of the Oecumenical Tax of the Roman World? His Answer is this: Ut non tantum res tam illustris Charactere temporis illustri consignaretur, sed & tali qui responderet vaticiniis Propheticis: not only that so famous a matter should be decyphered by so famous a Character of time, but by such a famous Character of time, which should Answer the Predictions of the Prophets. And then in particular, he citeth those words of the Prophecie of Daniel, In the dayes of these Kingdoms shall the God of Heaven raise up a Kingdom that never shall be destroyed, chap. 2. vers. 44. And then he concludeth upon the Premises, in these words: Descriptio enim Iudaeorum sub Augusto erat publica servitutis professio, & tessera Obsequii quod debebatur Principi Extero, adeóque foreign advenisse foreign illud foreign quo Messias nasci debuit, & lapis sine manibus è monte excindi. The Tax of the Iews under Augustus, was a publick profession of their Servitude, and a Badge of that Homage which was due to a Forreign Prince; and therefore a clear Demon…ation that that fulness of time was come, in which the Messiah should be born, and in which the Stone should be cut out of the Mountain without hands. From these words of his, we do conclude, That in the sense of the Evangelists, the Roman is the Fourth and last Metal-Kingdom. For when the Lord Christ was born, the Jews did yield their Homage and Obedience to the Romans, as to those that were set over them. But if we do enquire after the time when they came to be Homagers, it was at the time of Pompey the Great. Therefore in the sense of the Evangelists, we must there set the beginning of the Roman, as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom.

ARGUMENT V.

That which doth necessarily spring from the…r Principles who do most authentically expound the Monarchies, that is the true beginning of the Roman, as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom.

But the beginning of the Roman, at the time of their Free-state, when the Church came first within the Verge of their Dominion, is such: Ergo.

p. 138The Major is plain: For we cannot reject that beginning of the Roman as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom which doth necessarily spring from the Principles of the most Authentick Expositors. We do in substance take that for truth which is implyed, as that which is plainly expressed. But for the Minor, That the beginning of the Roman Monarchy was at the time of their Free-stare; and that this doth spring from the Principles of the most Authentick Expositors: This is proved by the enumeration of Singulars.

First, The most approved Interpreters do hold, That all the Four Tyrannical Empires are compacted into one Image; and though they differ in some particulars, yet they all agree in the greatness of Dominion. In this sense nothing doth exclude the Roman from being one of the Four.

Secondly, They agree, That all these Tyrannical Empires, compacted into one Image, continue a succession of that Lordship which the first (scil. the Babylonian) did take from the People of the Jews. If this be so, the Roman must begin as the Fourth of Daniel's Kingdoms at that time only when the Church of the Jews came under their Dominion. For though the Romans were a mighty State, and had gained to themselves a great Power in the West; yet they were not the sucsessors of Nebuchadnezzar in that Monarchy which he had begun, till they had taken in the Eastern Countries, and brought the Jewish Church within the Power of their Kingdom. But when this matter was once effected, then did the Roman begin as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom. And this doth necessarily arise from the Principles and Foundations of such as have best Expounded the Metal-Kingdoms.

Object. But some perhaps may alledge, You have formerly taught, That the Metal-Kingdoms do not only respect the People of the Iews, but the People of the Gentiles also, when the Gentiles come to be the Church of Christ.

Sol. This I confess to be a Truth: Yet withal, in the right stating of the beginning of the Four Kingdoms, we must have only respect to the Nation of the Jews. For when all these Kingdoms began, and in particular the Fourth and the last, p. 139there was no other Church in all the world, but that of the Jews only. Afterwards, by the Preaching of the Apostles, the Church did greatly encrease; and the whole Empire, in its just Latitude, from East to West, from North to South, was the Seat, and the Place of the Church. And hence it is, That the Spirit in the Revelation doth discover her State according to the changes of time in the Empire of the Romans. But yet however, The Doctrine of the forementioned Interpreters will strongly inforce the beginning of the Roman, when Iudea came under the Power of that People, seeing there was no Church in all the world but that of the Jews only.

Object. But if it be further Alledged, Why do you call this a Principle of the most Approved Interpreters; seeing you your self do not Allow their Exposition in some Particulars?

Sol. So far forth as the Exposition is Approved, I do build upon it; and it doth strongly inforce the Conclusion. And for the kinds of Interpreters, I will shew who are the most Approved, and why they are so called. After such times as it pleased the Lord to Reveal to Daniel the Four Ages of the Church, under the Type and Similitude of Four Metals in the Image; this Discovery hath been variously received. Some only having a glaring light of the Truth, have turned it into Fables; and it is very probable, That Ovid in his Metamorphosis received some hints of the Four Metals of Daniel's Image, when he spake of the Golden Age under Saturn, and of the Silver Age under Iupiter, &c. We must not think whatsoever is spoken by this Poet, to be altogether a Fable: That which he saith concerning Deucalion's Flood, in many particulars it was a Fable of his own making; yet in the general ground we all know that it is a Scripture-Truth, that there was a Deluge to drown the world. So he speaketh of the Gyants, and of their heaping of Pelion upon Ossa; we may conceive that in this he had some respect to the Gyants before the Flood, and to the building of the Tower of Babel. So in the present case, when he spoke of the Four Ages of the p. 140world, of the Golden, the Silver, the Brass, and the Iron-Ages; though in this matter (to use the Apostles Expression) he turned the Truth of God into a Lye, yet in the ground it is true, That the times of the Church are divided into Four Ages; and these Ages are figured by so many Metals of the Image. In after times, they that lived in the Church, and had the right Experience of things, did expound the Babylonian to be the Head of Gold, the Mede-Persian to be the Silver, the Graecian to be the Brass, and the Roman to be the Iron. This is a true Exposition in the main; but in some particulars they have gone too much after Ovid in his Metamorphosis. It is true, that the Babylonian Monarchy is represented by the Golden-Metal: but it is a common Error in the Ancients, and now generally among the Historians, Chronologers, and Writers, to begin the Babylonian Monarchy at Ninus. Upon the front of many Chronological Tables you shall find, That Ninus is Pictured as the Founder of the Babylonian, Cyrus of the Persian, Alexander of the Graecian, Iulius Caesar of the Roman Monarchy. This distribution, though it may take in a greater compass of time, yet it doth not agree with the sense of the Holy Ghost in some chief Circumstances. For the beginning of the Babylonian at Ninus, Historians have taken this out of th…ir own Heads, and not out of the Word of God. And from hence Bodin, in his Method of History, ch. p. 7. hath taken occasion to Dispute against the Scriptures, and to strike out the Truth, because some have mingled their own Inventions with the Word of God. He hath taken this Advantage upon the private Errors of some, who have stood for the Truth in the main. But the latter Expositors do decline this Error of Ninus, and do pitch upon this, That Nebuchadnezzar is the Head of Gold, and that the Babylonian Kingdom doth begin from his Monarchy. They find by Experience, That the Scriptures do chiefly point to those several Empires that were to stand in fulness of Power one after another in those Countries where somtimes the Kings of the Lineage of David did bear Rule. These are the most approved Interpreters; which I so call, because they go p. 141according to the minde of the Scriptures. Now, according to their grounds, it followeth by necessary consequence, That the Roman must begin as the Fourth Kingdom, in the time of their Free-state, when the Church, and all the Countries adjoyning, came under the Lordship and Dominion of the People of Rome. And whereas in the Chronographical Tables Iulius Caesar is set forth as the Founder of the Roman Empire; this is as false an imagination as that of Ninus. First, It is clear, That every Metal-Kingdom did rise and encrease by the destruction of the Empire that went before. Now, what part or parcel of the Graecian Empire did Iulius Caesar bring under the Power of the Romans? Secondly, What part or parcel of the Nations about the Borders of the Church, did he bring under the Roman Obedience? If we speak in a Latitude, Caesar did change the Free-state into the Government by One; yet to speak accurately, The Roman did not begin then as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom, but in the times of Pompey, when the Jewish Church came under the Obedience of that Nation. And so our Argument is Founded upon the Principles of the best Expositors, for the true beginning of the Roman Kingdom.

Now then, to gather all into one sum, we may conclude the Roman to begin as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom, when the Church came under the Dominion of that People. This is demonstrated, First, By the Analogie of the Three former Metal-Kingdoms, which did begin each one as the Church came under their Dominion. Secondly, By the end of the Graecian Kingdom, typed by the Brass-Metal. Where the Graecian endeth, there the Roman beginneth. Thirdly, By that which is necessary to the Being of the Fourth Metal-Kingdom, which began to be applicable to the Roman in the time aforementioned. Fourthly, By the Testimony of the Evangelist S. Luke, which doth insinuate such a Beginning. Fifthly, By the Principles of the latter and most Approved Interpreters, which being rightly laid, do necessarily prove such a Beginning also.

Having thus laid the Foundation, I should now proceed p. 142to the Building. But there are some few Objections that yet remain to be Answered.

Object. 1. Mr Mede standeth upon it, That the Roman came up by the same degrees as the Graecian went down: Therefore there can be no determinate and set time of the Beginning of the Roman, as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom.

Sol. What he speaketh in his Apostacy of the latter-times concerning the gradual encrease of the greatness of the Romans, we do yield to be a truth in the main: But we here speak of the beginning of the Roman in a more strict sense, in that acception as it is in the Fourth Metal-Kingdom. And here, as there was a determinate time of the beginning of the Babylonian, Persian, and Graecian Empires: So there must be a determinate beginning of the Roman, as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom. Secondly, Daniel saw in the Vision the Four Beasts come up out of the Sea one after another, and the Fourth Beast last of all: There must then be some determinate time of the beginning of the Fourth Empire. Thirdly, It is the plot of the Spirit, by the Four Empires, to decypher so many periods of time. According to this Rule, If there be no certain beginning of the Fourth Metal-Kingdom, there will be a Chasme; There will be some part of time, which will be long to no Metal of the Image. For, as Mr Mede himself doth allow, The Image doth comprehend Four great Revolutions of time, to begin one after another in an orderly succession. These are his own words: Apost. pag. 69. For the true account of the times in Scripture, we must have recourse to that Secret Kalendar and Great Almanack of Prophecie, The Four Kingdoms of Daniel, which are a Prophetical Chronologie of times, measured by the Succession of Four Principal Kingdoms, from the beginning of the Captivity of Israel, until the Mysterie of God should be finished. A course of time, during which the Church and the Nation of the Iews, together with those whom, by occasion of their unbelief in Christ, God should surrogate in their rooms, were to remain under the Bondage of the Gentiles, and Oppression of Gentilism. But these times, once fulfilled, all the Kingdoms of the World should become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ. So far Mr Mede. p. 143In whose words I Note these Three Points. First, That the Four Metal-Kingdoms in Daniel's Image, are a Prophetical Chronologie of the times. Secondly, That this Prophetical Chronologie beginneth at the Captivity of Babylon. Thirdly, That it endeth at the glorious Kingdom of the Saints. And for the Four Kingdoms, he Numbreth them in this manner, First, The Babylonian; Secondly, The Mede-Persian; Thirdly, The Graecian; Fourthly, The Roman. And for the beginning of the Roman, (the Point that we now are upon) he hath this Observation: In which quaternary of Kingdoms, as the Roman, being the last of the Four, is the last Kingdom: So are the times thereof the last times we seek for. During which times, saith Daniel, the God of Heaven shall raise up a Kingdom that never shall be destroyed, &c. In these words also we do agree with the forenamed Author in Two Points. First, In the Number of the Four Kingdoms. Secondly, In the date of the last times from the beginning of the Fourth Kingdom. And this is that which we endeavor to prove, That assoon as the Church came under the Dominion of the Romans, that People became the Fourth Metal-Kingdom. And here also we do set the beginning of those foreign, or latter times so much spoken of. If therefore we set our selves in this beginning, where, in Mr Mede's own Opinion, the latter times do commence: If we Number 666 years, we shall come to that particular time, when the Name, or Universal Headship of the Bishop of Rome began to be set up. And so every man may easily observe, That we go in the true Scripture-way of account. But of this afterward. Now let us go on, and consider wherein we do differ from Mr Mede about the true beginning of the Roman Kingdom. For either (saith he) we must set the beginning thereof when all Greece came under the Roman Obedience, after the Conquest of Perseus; or else the Roman Kingdom must begin by degrees. In which Opinion of his there are Two Errors: For that of the beginning at Perseus, we have spoken already: And for the Roman Encroachment by degrees, let it be what it will be, there must be a certain determinate time where the Roman doth begin as the Fourth p. 144Metal-Kingdom; unless we will admit of a Chasme, or a vacuum, in the Prophetical Chronologie. And yet further, Upon Mr Mede's own grounds, we do desire to press this Argument: If the Babylonian did begin as the first Metal-Kingdom, when the People of Israel came under the Dominion of Babel; then the Roman will begin as the Fourth Metal Kingdom, when the same People of Israel … under the … of Rome. But the former is true: Ergo, the latter. The Consequence is clear, from Analogie; for the Roman doth but continue that Dominion which the Babylonian began. And for the Minor, our Author saith, That the Four Metal-Kingdoms did begin from the Captivity of Israel, when that People fell under the power of the Babylonians. I say also, When the same People of Israel came under the power of the Romans, there is the true determinate beginning of the Roman, as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom. And this is proved by such Principles as Mr Mede himself will allow.

Object. 2. Others do plead, That the Roman did begin as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom, when it began to be the prevailing Dominion upon the Earth. But they were so some years before the Iewish Church came under their Obedience.

Sol. It is true, That all the Monarchical Kingdoms were prevailing, when those times came that were appointed of God that they should prevail. For Nebuchadnezzar, the Scriptures speak very much how he carried all before him. And for Cyrus, the Founder of the Persian Kingdom, Thus saith the Lord to Cyrus his anointed, whose right hand I have holden. The right hand is the instrument of Action; and Conquerors prevail by the Lord's holding up their right hand. I will loose the loyns of Kings. When the loyns of Kings are loosed, wherein their strength lieth, he must needs prevail against them. To open Before him the two-leaved Gates. It was the Power of God that did go before him, and that was the Petard to burst open the Gates of his Enemies, Isa. 45. v. 1, 2, 3, 4. And for Alexander the Great, the Scripture saith, Behold, an He-goat came from the West, on the face of the whole Earth, and touched not the Ground, Dan. 8. 5. Livy is of p. 145Opinion, That if Alexander had turned his Arms against the Western people, as he did against the Eastern, he would have failed of his Conquests. And Caesar objected to Pompey, That the Wars waged against the People of Asia, in respect of others, were rather against Women, than Men. But these are only Observations of States-men and Souldiers, that look upon second Causes. The Scripture yieldeth us the true reason wherefore Alexander prevailed against the Asiaticks, & carried his victories so far eastward: I saw an He-goat come from the West to the East, and touched not the ground. This is the true cause of the greatness and celerity of the Conquest of Alexander; He came upon the face of the whole Earth, and touched not the ground. It is not the situation of the People in the Western Hemisphere, that maketh them prevail over the Eastern; but they only shall prevail whom God will set up. We may see on the contrary, That great Conquerors have come from East to West, as well as they have passed from West to East. This may be seen in the Victories of Cyrus, Belisarius, the Saracens, and now last of all, the Turks, which have come from the East too too far (but only that God would have it so) into the Roman Territories. Now, if you would know the true Reason of the prevailing of the latter, their Commission lieth in these words: Loose the Four Angels that are bound in the Great River Euphrates: and the Four Angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men, Rev. 9. 14, 15. For the Four Angels, the course of the Prophecie, and the best Expositors, do plainly shew, That this is meant of the Turkish Nation, which Originally were divided into Four Families, and had power to come over the River Euphrates, into the Territories of the Western World. And for that famous Instance of Xerxes, That a few Graecians in the West, did defeat multitudes of People that came out of the East; the reason lieth not in the situation of either People, in respect of the Hemisphere, but in the hand of the Lord, that fought against the Persian Empire. For from that time that the building of the Temple was hindred by the Persians, and Daniel mourned p. 146for it full three weeks together; the Angel to comfort him, telleth him plainly, Dan. 10. 20. I will return to fight with the Prince of Persia, and then the King of Graecia shall come in. The meaning of which words is this, That the power of the Empire of the Persians should be overthrown by the Graecians: and then he cometh to particulars, to speak of the expedition of Xerxes into Greece, how that the Fourth King of the Persians should raise up great multitudes of People against the Graecians. These are the words of the text: for speaking of Darius the Mede, he saith, In the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to strengthen him, chap. 11. vers. 1. And then he addeth: I will shew thee the truth; behold, there shall stand up three Kings in Persia, to wit, Cyrus, Cambyses, Darius: And the Fourth (meaning Xerxes) shall be richer than they all; and by his strength, through his riches, he shall stir up all against the Realm of Graecia, vers. 2, 3. If we will go to the true Reason wherefore the Graecians were so couragious at the Straits of Thermopylae, and wherefore they did prevail against the Persians; the true cause doth lie in these words: I will fight against the Prince of Persia, and then the Kingdom of Graecia shall come Note.in. It was the secret and invisible hand of the Lord, that was the cause of the declining of the Power of the Persians in the East, and the rising of the Graecian in the West. It is true, That the He-goat passed from West to East, upon the face of the whole Earth: and yet it is as true, That the Ram of Persia did push to the three several Coasts, Westward, Northward, and Southward, chap. 8. vers. 4. By these words it is plain, If the Victories of the Graecians did pass from West to East, then è converso, it is as true, That the Victories of the Persians did pass from East to West. Let us hear the words of the Prophet Isaiah, to put all out of question; for speaking of Cyrus, thus he saith: I have called a ravenous Bird out of the East, the man of my Counsel from a far Country, chap. 46. 11. From hence it is plain, When God will, Conquerors shall come out of the East. And in Allusion to this Story, those Kings that shall deliver the Mystical Israel out of the Captivity of Western Babylon, are called the Kings of the East in a Figure, Rev. 16. 12. It is p. 147not in the Climate, in the Hemisphere, in the temper of the Heavens, in the better exercise of Military Discipline, in the experience of old Souldiers, in the success of fortunate Generals, or any other inferiour cause; but in the immediate Dispensation of God. Therefore, to adde the words of the Psalmist, as an Epiphonema, Lift not up your Horn on high, speak not with a stiff neck: for promotion cometh not from the East, not from the West; but God is judge; he putteth down one, and setteth up another, Psal. 75. 5, 6, 7.

I have staid the longer upon this digression, because I set that States-men, Souldiers, and others of deepest wisdom, look to these subtilties. Hereupon they trust in an Arm of Flesh, oppose the Gospel, perfecute the Saints, bear themselves more high over those that are made subject to them; Make no Conscience of Honesty, Truth, or Religion, when they have the Law in their own hands. They should as well look to the invisible and spiritual causes of the Changes of Empire, to the Providence of God, to the Revelations in the Word, to the Angels fighting against the Kingdoms of this world, to the power of the Saints Prayers that are offered upon the golden Altar. There is nothing more divine, nothing more spiritual, and nothing more apt to carry up the Soul into an high contemplation of the manifold wisdom, power, truth, and Fidelity of God, then to behold, in the Prophecie of Daniel, and in the Book of the Revelation, as in a Map, the several Empires of the world where the Church should be seated; their times, their changes, and their causes of the change; and this many hundred years before these Empires come to be set up.

They that read the VVord, together with the Stories of the times, may see the Fidelity of God, and may by this come to know him by the Name Iehovah. But so much by the way, touching the sudden growth of the Graecian Empire from VVest to East. Now we come to the Romans; and in the times of their Dominion they must also have the strength of Iron, to subdue the whole Earth and break it in pieces. And though great Nations and mighty Princes should rise against p. 148him, as Pyrrhus, Hannibal, Perseus, Iugurtha, Sertorius, Methridates, Tigranes, &c. yet in their times the Romans must be too hard for them all, and break them all in pieces. And therefore when Dionysius Halicarnassaeus, Cicero, and others, boast of the Roman Greatness, it may be said to them, as somtimes it was to Cyrus, I have girded thee with strength, though thou knowest not me, Isa. 45. 1, 2. This was the true, though the invisible cause, why the Romans grew so Great, and their Dominion reached to the ends of the Earth.

But now it is high time to return, (from whence we have made a digression) to shew when the Roman began as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom. Some think it was when that Nation was the most prevailing Nation upon the Earth: But this cannot be. For in the times of Antiochus the Great, but more specially in the times of Antiochus Epiphanes, they were the more prevailing People: yet they did not begin in those times as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom in Daniel's Image.

You will say then, VVhere shall we set the beginning of the Fourth Kingdom? I Answer; In this case we must distinguish between the Latitude of the Roman Dominion more absolutely considered, and the Latitude of the Dominion in and about the Borders of the Church. If you speak of the Latitude of Dominion in a more absolute consideration, then the Roman began as the more prevailing Dominion, when it became more mighty than any other Empire of the world. But if you speak in a more strict sense, it began then to be the Fourth Metal-Kingdom in Daniel's Image, when it did begin to take in the greatest Amplitude and largeness of Rule in and about the Confines of the Church. And this is to our purpose.

Object. 3. Others perhaps may Alledge, That we cannot begin the Roman as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom, when the Iewish Church came under the Dominion of that People. For (say they) it is foretoll in the Prophecie of Jacob; The Scepter shall not depart from Iudah, nor a Law-giver from between his feet until Shiloh come, Gen. 49. 10.

p. 149Sol. I Answer: We must so expound the meaning of one, that it may not dash against the main sense of another Scripture Now it is the manifest scope of other Scriptures to shew, That the Four Monarchies must come to bear Rule over those Countries where the Kings of the Line of David had the power before. And therefore it is mentioned, That a Rod shall come out of the stock of Iesse, and a Branch shall come out of his Roots, Isa. 11. 1, 2. A Lapide upon the place speaketh very well: Christo enim nascente regia Davidis familia ad pauperes redacta. When Christ was born, the Kingly Family of David was brought very low. To this accordeth the Prophet Daniel: In the dayes of these Kingdoms shall the God of Heaven raise up a Kingdom that shall never be destroyed, chap. 2. vers. 44. In these words he doth insinuate, That when the Kingdom of Christ beginneth, it shall be as it were a new-erected Kingdom, raised up out of the rubbish. To me therefore Baronius in his Apparatus, seemeth to deliver a strange Exposition of this Prophecie. For he speaketh to this effect, That the Kingdom was specially foretold to the Tribe of Iudah above any other. To which when that tribe had once attained in David, by a long race of Kings, it held out to the Captivity of Babylon. And after the Captivity of Babylon (where there was some intermission for a time) the Empire recovered again in Zorobabel: And then, from him being derived, it held in his Posterity, without any absolute interruption, to the second year of the 184 Olympiad, when Calvin and Pollio were Consuls. Then Herod an Idumaean, a Gentile at the first, and after that a Proselyte, by the courtesie of the Romans, took the Kingdom in Iudea; and so the Government was translated from the Natives to a Forreigner. This is the sum of that which is more largely delivered. Where Three Errors are to be noted.

First, That he maketh the Davidical-Kingdom to last to the times of Herod. Which cannot be. For the Kingdom was taken from the Kings of the Line of David by the Babylonians. And by them it was transmitted to the Persians and Graecians. And so last of all, it came to the Romans, in whose time Christ was Born. Neither did Herod, a Forreigner, Reign any more p. 150by the courtesie and favour of the Romans, than did Hyrcanus, his immediate Predecessor.

A Second is this, That he maketh the Scepter to continue in the time of Zorobabel: which is not so. For they that plead for an inferiour way of Rule in the High Priests, the men of the Great Sanhedr…m do not affirm, That all these came of Zorobabel, no nor of David neither.

Thirdly, He erreth in this, That he maketh the Scepter to depart from Iudah in the times of Herod; for the Jews had some form of Government, some Laws of their own, which did continue to the destruction of Ierusalem. When the Lord Christ had provided him a People amongst the Gentiles, then Ierusalem was destroyed, and the Jews were cast away according to the Prophecies.

Object. You will say then, What is the true meaning of Jacob's Prophecie?

Sol. This is the meaning thereof, That there should be a Succession of Kings in the Line of David, till the Captivity of Babylon. And though the other Ten Tribes should be cast away; yet that Tribe should remain. And after the Captivity, though the supreme Power should be taken away from them, yet still among that People there should be a continuation of some Laws and forms of Government under the Persians, Graecians, and Romans, till the coming of the Messiah. When the Messiah shall be born, he shall raise up the Tabernacle of David which hath fallen down; he shall set up that Kingdom that never shall be destroyed. And at the end he shall destroy all the Metal-Kingdoms, and fill the Earth. And so by consequence the Kingdom of David shall continue for ever. This is the full sense and the meaning of Iacob's Prophecie.

Piscator, in his Scholia upon this text, doth confirm what we speak: Gubernatio plena cujus princeps pars est potestas judiciorum capitalium, adempta fuit Posteris Iudae per Pompeium, qui Iudaeam in formam Provinciae redegit, imperio que Romanorum subjecit. Post quam gubernationis ademptionem paulò post natus est Christus sub Augusto. Quod autem potestas illa Iudaeis per p. 151Romanos fuerit adempta fatentur ipsi, Joh. 18. 31. Gubernatio vero imminuta (ademptâ scilicet potestate Iudiciorum capitalium relictâ Potestate Iudiciorum civilium & Religionis) duravit usque ad tempus illud quo natus est Christus, immo etiam quo patefactus est in orbo terrarum per praedicationem Apostolorum. Quippe Iudaeos adhuc tempore passionis Christi habuisse potestatem aliquam judiciorum patet ex verbis Pilati ad illos. In which words of his, there is a plain distinction betwixt the Sovereign and Supreme Power, and that which is subordinate. For the Sovereign and Supreme power in Capital Crimes, he faith this was taken away from the Jews by the means of Pompey the Great, who first brought that Nation in subjection, and made it Tributary to the Romans. And so that speech of the Jews is to be expounded: It is not in our power to put any man to death, Joh. 18. 31. For the subordinate Power, which he calls gubernationem imminutam, a regulated, or limited power in Civil Causes and in matters of Religion, this (saith he) did continue to the destruction of Ierusalem. And so those words are to be expounded: Ye have a Law, and judge ye him according to your Law, Joh. 18. 31. By this then we may understand how Iudea may be made subject to the Romans before the coming of Christ, and yet some form of Policy might continue among that People, to make good the Prophecie of Iacob.

But if we must needs stand upon the words, That the Scepter was taken away by the means of Pompey the Great, this hath excellent ground in the Stories; and it doth make exceedingly for our purpose. For the ground in the Stories, we shall finde, That the Jews that were in Bondage, first, to the Babylonians; secondly, to the Persians; thirdly, to the Graecians; that after the death of Antiochus Epiphanes, they did assert their Liberty against the Graecians of the Seleucian Line. And some Kings did Reign in Iudea of the stock of the Macchabees. But after such time as Pompey the Great brought Iudea under the power of the Romans, they never recovered their Liberty again. Now then, I leave it to any to judge, Whether here is not the beginning of the Fourth Metal-Kingdom p. 152in Daniel's Image? This we have confirmed by Reasons, and have Answered such Objections as might be alledged to the contrary.

Now let us go to the second Point, to shew the Order of the times, that there is the space of 666 years from the beginning of the Roman as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom, to the setting up of the Name, or Universal Headship of the Bishop of Rome, under the Emperor Phocas.

And for the time, we cannot easily be deceived, because the words of Iosephus are so plain, That this came to pass in that year when Cicero and Antonius were Consuls at Rome, in the 179 Olympiad, in the third Month, on a Fasting-day: he saith, That Pompey entred Ierusalem with the Roman Legions, Antiq. lib. 12. cap. 8. And for their subjection to the Romans, he addeth, That Syria and Iudea, and all places from the Borders of Egypt to Euphrates, were committed to the tuition of Scaurus, Antiq. lib. 14. cap. 8. & de Bell. Iud. lib. 1. cap. 5. And here I finde, That all Historians and Chronologers do agree in the aforementioned year.

Now for the Number of time, That there are 666 years from this beginning to the Universal Headship of the Bishop of Rome under the Emperor Phocas; this is clear also in all our ordinary Books of Chronology. Dr Willet, who doth differ from our Judgement about the Roman as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom, he in his Synops. Papism. Quaest. de Antichr. part. 2. saith, That the Scepter was taken from Iudah at that year when Cicero was Consul at Rome, which he affirmeth to be 60 years before the Birth of the Lord, and 666 before the setting up of the Headship of the Bishop of Rome. And in general, he doth approve the truth of our Interpretation, as Bale the Historian did before him. And whereas it may be Alledged, That Calvisius, the most accurate Chronologer, doth Number somthing more than 60 years to the Birth of the Lord: To solve this Difficulty, let us say as he doth, That Cicero and Antonius did enter their Office about the 20 of October, when all was full of troubles at Rome: And in the fourth of Iuly following, which was the 17 day of the Month p. 153Tamuz, the Romans entered Ierusalem, and Pompey went into the Temple. To this if we adde those Acts of his, of breaking down the Wall of Ierusalem, of making Iudea Tributary to the Romans, and delivering all into the Power of Scaurus the Questor till further Order should be taken by the Senate; These things must necessarily be done in the latter end of the year, when C…cero and Antonius were Consuls; or rather▪ in the beginning of the next year, which, according to Calvisius his account, is the year of the world 3889. To which, if you adde 666 years, the Number of the Name of the Universal Headship of the Beast, this will make the year of the world 4554. And this will bring us to that fatal year of the Universal Headship of the Bishop of Rome under the Emperor Phocas. And so this present year will be,

From The Creation of the World the 4555 Year.

From The Birth of the Lord the 606 Year.

From The Beginning of the Roman, as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom, the 666 Year.

For the Number of years, there is yet one main Objection. Some will have the periods of time in Daniel's Image to be a meer Scholastical speculation.

Sol. We will go to the Scriptures, and to the Stories of the Church, to decide the Question.

For the Scriptures, Let us first consider the words of Daniel's Thanksgiving, upon the Revelation of the Mystery of the Four Metal-Kingdoms: Blessed be the Name of God for ever; for Wisdom and Might are his: he changeth the times, and seasons: he removeth Kings, and setteth up Kings, Dan. 2. 20, 21. The scope of the Vision is concerning the Four Metal-Kingdoms, and so many changes of time answerable to those Four Mutations of Empire. But if we look more narrowly to the text, the words in the Chaldee foreign—are times, and revolutions of time. For the word foreign signifieth as much as tempus statutum & determinatum, an appointed and determinate time. For the Lord having shewed Nebuchadnezzar's Dream to Daniel, and the substance of the Dream, p. 154That it concerned a Fourfold change of Empire, and a Fourfold change of time upon the Earth; Upon this Reason, the Prophet breaketh forth into the praise of the Wisdom and the Power of God, in a sutable manner to the present occasion. And in very deed, if we look upon the translation of the Empire from the Babylonians to the Persians, from the Persians to the Graecians, from the Graecians to the Romans; Here is a notable Example of the Wisdom and the Power of God. And that which is more considerable, The Lord speaketh of the times of the sovereign Dominion of these People, many years before they come to have the Dominion upon the Earth. For this cause the Prophet breaketh forth into the praises of the wisdom of God in his disposing the changes of times, and the changes of Empire; and for the communication of this deep secret to him and the other three Children; and by their means, to the information of the Church. And when all this is done, shall we say, That the Four changes of time, in the Image of the Metal-Kingdoms, are but a curious speculation? Further, it is added, vers. 44. In the dayes of these Kingdoms shall the God of Heaven raise up a Kingdom that shall never be destroyed. This is spoken of the rising of the Kingdom of Christ in the time of one of the Four Metal-Kingdoms. The Four periods of time then are not a bare Speculation, but a plain Scripture-truth. For it is the plot of the Spirit to shew, That down from Nebuchadnezzar there should be Four Changes of Empire, and Four notable Revolutions of time; and when these Changes should be in their course and succession, then the Kingdom of Christ shall begin.

Now whereas Bodin, in his Method of History, chap. 7. taketh a great deal of pains in the Confutation of this; Let us Consider what he Alledgeth.

First, There be many things he confuteth, which we do not allow. For, as we have formerly said, The Babylonian Empire did not begin at Ninus, but at Nebuchadnezzar.

Secondly, He taketh it as Granted, That only the Amplitude of Dominion, maketh a Monarchical Kingdom: And p. 155hereupon, Reasons, Why should not the Kingdoms of the Parthians, Saracens, Turks, Tartars, go under the account of Monarchical Kingdoms? Here he is to consider, That not only the greatness of Dominion, but the greatness of Dominion over the Churches Continent, is necessary to the Being of Daniel's Metal-Kingdoms. And therefore, look what Kingdom Nebuchadnezzar did begin, it did orderly descend to the Persians, Graecians, and Romans; and not to the Parthians, as experience sheweth. Therefore, a Beast in Daniel or the Revelation doth not signifie a State or Government in the General Notion; but a State or Government that is Idolatrous, and doth persecute the Church. Neither doth it signifie an Idolatrous Government in the Latitude; but such an Idolatrous Government in and about the Borders of the Church. If this distinction were well observed, They that are Enemies to Magistracie, would not have such harbour in the Revelation, as they think they have.

Thirdly, He disputeth against those who stand for a German-Roman Empire. And with him we do agree, That this is but a Fable. For the Empire, of the last Edition, is the whole Body of the Kings that make one Catholick Communion under the Pope their Head, Rev. 13. and chap. 17. In these Particulars, he doth not touch us in his Disputation; but them only who do maintain the Truth with some mixtures of their own.

Secondly, For the Points wherein we differ: He standeth hard upon this, That the Roman cannot be called the Iron-Metal, seeing in these latter Ages, Learning, Civility, Religion, Discoveries by Navigation, have been raised to a higher perfection: and therefore the Roman cannot be set forth by a more worthless Metal than the other Kingdoms.

Sol. But in this matter he doth not Dispute so much against us, as against the Scripture it self, and the scope of the Spirit. For is it not the scope of the Spirit, to compare the Fourth Kingdom to Iron, because of the strength, cruelty, and power to break all things in pieces in and about the Borders of the Church? What good will Learning, Civility, Navigation, p. 156and other such things do, when the Church of God is under Persecution?

But yet further, to Convince the Consciences of men, That the Four Metal-Kingdoms in Daniel's Image, are no nice speculation; I would willingly put it to men to Resolve me this Question: The Faithful that lived in the Iewish Church some years before the coming of Christ, whether was it not their practise, and some way their duty, to search after the time of his coming? These are the words of Peter: Of which Salvation the Prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who Prophesied of the Grace that should come unto you; searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signifie, when it testified before-hand the Sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow, 1 Pet. 1. 10, 11. Out of these words Three Points no necessarily issue. First, The coming of Christ, his Sufferings, and the glory that followed; this was revealed to the Church of the Jews. Secondly, It was revealed to them, in what period of time Christ should come. Thirdly, They did diligently search the several periods and changes of time, to come to that particular season when the Son of Man should come in the flesh. The words in the Original are very Emphatical, foreign. Piscator hath it, Scrutantes inquem & cujusmodi temporis articulum. Beza, In quem aut qualem temporis articulum. But I think the words are more naturally rendered: Scrutantes ad quam aut qualem temporis periodum: Searching to which, or to what kind of period of time the Spirit should point, as with a finger, when he spake of the coming of Christ in the flesh. But let the Translation be what it will be, all is to this sense, That the Believers of the Antient Church did diligently search the periods of time to the coming of Christ in the flesh. And our Saviour doth blame the Jews for it, That they could discern the face of the skie, and yet could not understand the signs of the times: that is, The signs of the times of his coming in the flesh, Matt. 16. 1, 2, 3. Now for the periods of time to the coming of the Son of Man in the flesh, there are none more clear & demonstrative in the p. 157whole Old Testament, than those two in the Prophecie of Daniel. The first is that of the Four Metal-Kingdoms, chap. 2. and the Second is that of the 70 weeks, chap. 9. By these Two, the Saints and Prophets in the Old Testament might periodically come to the times of the Messiah, and so might discover his coming in the flesh à priori. Our Saviour therefore doth blame them, that by the changes of State in Iudea, First, From the Babylonians to the Persians; Secondly, From the Persians to the Graecians; Thirdly, From the Graecians to the Romans; that by these several Alterations of time they did not discern the signs of his coming, nor the beginning of his Kingdom, which should be set up when the Image should come to the last and lowest Region, to the Fourth and the last Metal-Kingdom. In the times of this Kingdom, the God of Heaven shall set up a Kingdom that never shall be destroyed, Dan. 2. 44. Therefore when the times of the Romans were come, (the Fourth and the last Monarchical People) the Jews, by the course of Daniel's periods, might easily understand that they were not far from the times of the Messiah. And to put all out of doubt, if they had Numbred 490 years, or 70 weeks of years, from the building of the City and Temple in the dayes of Ezra and Nehemiah, by this period also they might have come to the time of the cutting off of the Messiah, and to the preaching of the Gospel among all Nations. By the Collation and Parallel of these two periods, the Saints in the Jewish Church might have found out in what Article or what period of time the Son of man should come in the flesh. And shall we then say, That the Four periods of time in Daniel's Image, is a Scholastical and nice speculation?

Thus I have largely insisted upon the Point; where Two things are made good: First, That the Roman doth begin as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom, when the Church and the Continent of the Church, came under the Dominion of that People. Secondly, That the Number of years are 666 to the setting up of the Universal Headship of the Bishop of Rome under the Emperor Phocas, if the account be made from the beginning of the Roman as the Fourth Metal-Kingdom. p. 158I have proved also, That this Method of Account is no nice speculation, but a true Scripture-way to calculate and Number the Prophetical times.

Let us now proceed to the next Chapter, to shew the issue of the Discourse.