The Name Mark and Number of the Beast, Chapter 5 · Part 1
CHAP. V. That the Roman is the Fourth and Last Metal-Kingdom in Daniels Image; and the truth of this is proved against the Positions of Junius, Broughton, Piscator, Dr. Willet, and others.
FOr the carrying on of our matter, we need not imbark in that great Question, Whether the Roman be the Fourth Metal-Kingdom? Or, Whether the Opinion of Junius and his followers be received? We are sure both wayes to make the Accompt good, That the Name, or Universal Headship of the Bishop of Rome, is 666. The matter is so firmly grounded upon the event.
Let us then proceed according to Iunius his Method: let us say, that the Babylonian is the first Metal-Kingdom, that the Mede-Persian is the second, that the Macedonian in Alexander is the third, that the Seleucian is the fourth. Here according to this Analogie there must be an end of all the four Metal-Kingdoms at the destruction of the Seleucian; when Syria, Iudaea, and all that Oriental tract came under the Obedience of the People of Rome. Now then, if you reckon from the final Conclusion of all the four persecuting Empires, and from the beginning of the Roman, as that Nation did succeed in the Rule over the Church, there will be an exact period of 666 years to the setting up of the Name or Universal Headship of the Bishop of Rome: And so we do concord with the Principles of Iunius.
But we do not say, That there was a dissolution of all four Metal-Kingdoms, but only a dissolution of the third, and a beginning of the fourth. Now, from the beginning of the Roman, or the fourth Kingdom, we make the accompt.
And for the clearer manifestation of the truth, we will Debate this Point more fully: for it is a ruled case in Daniel and the Revelation, That one and the same thing is variously repeated, for clearer explication. As for ensample: The Antichristian Kingdom is more obscurely delivered, Revel. 11. Now, if we compare it with the description chap. 13, and chap. 17. all three Scriptures will exceedingly illustrate one and the same truth. And so in the present case, if it can be solidly proved that the fourth Beast in Daniel is the Roman Kingdom, we may safely conclude that the same matter is repeated more largely in the Book of the Revelation. Mr Med… speaketh to very good purpose concerning the description of the ten-horn'd Beast, Rev. 13. These are his words; To…a autem haec descriptio petita est ex Prophe…iâ Danielis, cap. 7. ubi de eâdem agitur quâ hic, Bestiâ Romanâ status novissimi: sed quae ibi Danieli ab Angelo succinctius narrantur, ea hîc Iohanni, (interjectâ quasi explicatione) fusius deducuntur. Comment. Apocal. pag. 190. From which words of his it is clear, that one and the same Roman Dominion, in the last and Antichristian State thereof, is the subject matter of both Scriptures. And so we have a certain and a demonstrative Principle to build upon. For, not only the Book of the Revelation it self will be cleared by comparing one part with another, that which is more dark with that which is more clear; but the times in the 7 of Daniel also will be much illustrated, if we parallel them with the times of the Revelation. Only here will lie the weight of the business, Whether the matter is one and the same in both Prophecies? And it must necessarily be one and the same, if we can solidly prove the ten-horned Beast in Daniel to be the Roman Kingdom. All do agree that the ten-horned Beast in the Revelation is the Roman Kingdom; and if we can make it appear that one and the same Kingdom is described in the seventh of Daniel, this will be as it were a band, or ligament, to couple both Prophecies together, and a mean to expound the one by that conformity which it hath to the other.
But because Iunius, and his followers, and by Name Dr Willet do so strongly insist upon the Point, That the ten-horned Beast in both Prophecies is not one and the same Roman Kingdom, but one and the same only in Analogie, and similitude of expression: If they can make their words good, I confess that we shall be liable to a great mistake, when we shall take that for really the same, which is only the same in some similitude. Interpreters have gone too far this way, as it is clear by experience. For Parae…, in the beginning of his Commentary, treating of the Method of the Revelation, doth draw three Observations out of Augustine's 20 Book of the City of God, cap. 17. First, saith he, There are many things darkly delivered in the Prophecie, to exercise the mind of the Reader. Secondly, There are some things delivered more clearly, by the understanding of which, we may discover the other that are more dark, if diligence be used. Thirdly, It doth exceedingly conduce to the unfolding of the Mysteries of this Book, that the same things are repeated in a different way of expression. We do acknowledge that these Observations are of good use; but that some Interpreters, as Paraeus himself in his Commentary, and Lampadius in his … upon Sle…d in de 4 Imperiis, and some others, have gone too far this way. There is some similitude between the seven Trumpets, and the seven Vials; but the Authors aforenamed have much disturbed the true course of the Apocalyptical times, when they take the Trumpets and the Seals for the same in matter, though they differ in manner. To avoid th… Rock, we will first prove the Identity of two Scriptures, and then expound them by way of Parallel.
Upon this Consideration we do now fall upon the Work, to prove the Roman to be the Fourth Kingdom: And if this can be made good, then it will be one and the same Kingdom with that which is mentioned in the Revelation. And so we shall parallel the one by the times of the other Prophecie.
Now let us hear what Iunius, Broughton, Piscator, and other Learned men can alledge to the contrary.
Junius.
There is none that is ignorant how variously the Fourth Kingdom is interpreted: For some think this place to appertain to the four Monarchies, to continue to the consummation of the world. Others will have the Monarchies here meant to continue to the Kingdom of Christ only; in which Number they have placed the Roman, their Free-state and their Empire being united in one. And truly the former Opinion all the Fathers have followed, being moved, as it is probable, with this expression, There is a God in Heaven that maketh known to the King what shall be in the latter daies, chap. 2. 28. But they have not well observed the meaning of the text: for the Hebrew word doth not signifie that which is last, but that which is latter; or that which cometh after, though it be not simply the last of all.