The Work of the Age, Chapter 1
Dan. Chap. 7.
Verſ. 8. I was conſidering the horns, and behold, another little Horn came up among them, and three of the firſt Horns were plucked up by the roots by his prerogative: and lo eyes as the eyes of a man in this horn, and a mouth ſpeaking great things &c.
I have already writ an Explication and Application of this Chapter, and in particular of this Little Horn. But becauſe others apply it otherwiſe, I ſhall add a few words in this place, for further clearing of the ſame.
To which end I ſhall gather up what the Prophet ſpeaketh of this Little Horn, and give you the principall Characters, by which this Horn is deſcribed, and compare it with the providentiall accompliſhment thereof in the late King. And make ſome Queries upon the various interpretations, which I have found made by others, and ſo leave it to others, to conſider and judge, as God ſhall pleaſe to caſt in any Beam of Light.
Divers are the Interpretations which are made of this Little Horn. Some apply it to Antiochus Epiphanes; Others to Mahomet: Others to the Roman Civil Power, or to the Antichriſtian power, or both; Others to the Norman Race, or William the Conquerer; And laſtly I have made Application thereof to Charls Stuart, the late King that was beheaded. Some other Application I have met with, which I judge not worth the anſwering or inquiring into being inconſiſtent in it ſelf.
The little Horns Characters, as they are given us by Daniel, are theſe.
1 Hee is a Horn, Dan. 7. 8. which denotes Soveraignty, verſ. 24.
2 Hee is one of the ten horns, or amongſt the ten horns of the fourth great Beaſt, verſ. 7, 8, 24.
3 He is a little horn, verſ. 8. which muſt be underſtood to be little in ſome ſcripturall ſenſe.
4 Hee plucks up three of the ten horns, by his prerogative, verſ. 8.
5 Hee is deſcribed by his vigilancy, and carnall policy, hee hath eyes as the eyes of a man verſ. 8.
6 Hee is deſcribed by the Bent of his ſpirit againſt God, and againſt the waies of God, and againſt his Saints, expreſſed by his words, verſ. 8, 25. and by his actions, wearing out the Saints, verſ. 25.
7 Hee is deſcribed by the wilfulneſſe of his Spirit, expreſſed by his Countenance (for vultus eſt index animi) or if you will the Stoutneſs of his Spirit, and averſneſs to be counſelled by his Compeeres, verſ. 20. his viſage was more ſtout then his fellows.
8 Hee is deſcribed by his ingagement in warre againſt his beſt Subjects, namely the Saints, verſ. 21. and that in all the three Kingdoms. In reſpect whereof they are ſaid to fall by his prerogative, verſ. 20.
9 Hee is deſcribed by the advancement of his prerogative to the ruine of his Subjects. Wherefore it is ſaid, that hee plucked three of the Kingdoms up by the roots by his prerogative, but one of them more eſpecially, verſ. 8. and three of the ten Kingdomes of the fourth Monarchy fell by his prerogative, but one above the reſt, verſ. 20. That is, they were ſlain with the ſword, as that phraſe imports, Lam. 2. 21. Touching which ſee more in my Explication and Application of the 7▪ of Daniel, formerly put forth.
10 Hee is deſcribed by his oppreſſion of his beſt Subjects, (here called Saints) with taxes, and tribute, loans and Shipmonies, as the word may import, verſ. 25. hee ſhall wear out the Saints of the moſt high.
11 Hee carrieth on a ſecret deſign, to ſubvert the antient government of the nations, expreſſed in theſe words, hee ſhall think to change times and laws, verſ. 25.
12 He is judicially tryed and ſentenced, verſ. 26. the judgement ſhall ſit, and verſ. 10. the Judgement ſate, and the Books were opened.
13 He is diveſted of his Royalty in all the three Nations, The Thrones were caſt down, verſ. 9.
14 He is beheaded, verſ. 11. The Beaſt was ſlain by diſmembring, as the word imports.
15 After this proceeding with the Beaſt, or little Horn, there follows a total removal of Sovereign Power by a publick Act of the State. They ſhall take away his abſolute Soveraignty, v. 26. And they ſhall burn his carcaſe, ver. 11.
16 All this muſt be done before the change of Government in the other ſeven Kingdoms of the Empire, verſ. 12. As concerning the reſt of the Beaſts, they removed away their abſolute Soveraignty: yet a prolonging in life was given them for a ſeaſon and time.
17 You may adde to all theſe, the ſeaſon in which all theſe things ſhall be acted; To wit, at or nigh, the expiration of a time, times, and half a time, as the word foreign doth import, verſ. 25. Touching which you may read more in my Explication of this Chapter at large.
Theſe are the principal Characters, which the text gives us of the Little Horn, whereby to diſtinguiſh it from all other. Now let it be conſidered, to what King under the Fourth Monarchy (or great Beaſt) theſe may moſt fitly be applied.
Firſt therefore to ſpeak of Antiochus Epiphanes, he was one of the ſucceſſors of Alexander the Great, and a member of the Third Monarchy, not of the Fourth, as Mr. Tillinghaſt rightly obſerves, in his knowledge of times, pag. 102, 103. Neither did he pluck up the other three parts of the Grecian Monarchy by the roots; nor was he judicially tried, ſentenced, and beheaded, as it is ſaid of this Little Horn. Neither did his Actions fall out, within the compaſs of a time, times, and half a time, ſpoken of by Daniel: but many hundred years before. In all which reſpects, it may be juſtly Queried, how theſe Characters of the Little Horn can ſuit unto Antiochus.
Secondly, as touching Mahomet, I ſhall need ſay no more but this: That Mahomet was never (that I remember) accounted by any, to be one of the Kingdoms of the Fourth Monarchy, and therefore cannot be intended by the Little Horn. But if it be ſaid, that the Little Horn is diſtinct from the ten, and therefore may be underſtood of Mahomet well enough. Let it then bee conſidered in what ſence Mahomet can be ſaid to riſe up among the ten Horns of the Fourth great Beaſt? and what thoſe three former Horns were, which are ſaid to be plucked up by the roots, and to fall before him, or by his Prerogative? Moreover, ſome of the Characters of the Little Horn are not yet accompliſhed in Mahomet. He hath not been judicially tried, ſentenced, and beheaded. He hath not been diveſted of his Sultanſhip, but retains it ſtill. Nor can it be averred definitively, that the reſt of the Beaſts ſhall have a prolonging in life granted them, after he is ſlain. Wherefore it cannot be concluded poſitively, that Mahomet is the Little Horn, till all be accompliſhed.
Thirdly, as touching William the Conqueror, or the Norman Race, let it be inquired, how it can bee ſaid of him, that three of the ten Horns or Kingdoms, belonging to the Fourth great Beaſt, were pluckt up by the roots, and ſlain with the ſword, before him, or by his Prerogative? He did indeed invade England and ſubdued it, but whether he left Religion (the ch…efeſt Root of a Nation) better or worſe than hee found it, is hard to ſay. Yet ſuppoſe he had inverted the Government, and rooted up Religion in England, what is that to three Nations? Neither was William, that Conqueror judicially tried, and beheaded, as it is ſaid of the Little Horn. Neither was his abſolute Soveraignty utterly aboliſhed, but hath continued ever ſince, until the time of Charls Stuarts beheading, during the ſpace of many hundred years.
Fourthly, If it be apprehended to be ſpoken of the Roman Civil power, or of Antichriſt, or both: (as I know it is by ſome of late) Then let it be conſidered, how it is poſſible that the Roman Civil-power, conſiſting of ten Horns, as the conſtituting parts thereof, can be ſaid to be one of them, or to riſe up amongſt them? Can the whole be one of the parts? or riſe upQuae. 1. amongſt the parts? It might rather have been ſaid that the Horns ſpring out of the Beaſt, than that the Beaſt ſhould ſpring up among the Horns.
Quaer. 2. Seeing the Ten Horns (or conſtituting parts of the great Beaſts power) did but begin to be divided, Anno 456 (as bIn his Knowledge of the times, p. 57.Mr Tillinghaſt doth obſerve out of Mr. Mede) which was ſome years after the firſt riſe of Antichriſt, and many hundreds of years after the riſe of the Roman Civil-power; How can either the one, or the other (which had their riſe and exiſtence before the Horns) be ſaid to riſe up amongſt them? And if amongſt them, will it not infer that the Horns were Horns, ere the Beaſt, (whoſe Horns they be) was a Beaſt? which ſeems to bee inconſiſtent. See Maſter Tillinghaſt in his Knowledge of the times; p. 61.
Quae. 3. Seeing the tenne Hornes are conſtituting, or integral parts of the Fourth great Beaſts power; How can it bee ſaid, either of the Roman Civil-power, or of Antichriſt, that three of the ten Horns, or integral parts of their power, were plucked up by the roots, and ſlain with the ſword, either by the one or by the otber, before that either of them had a being? Is it poſſible that the parts can have exiſtence (as ſuch) before the whole? Or in what ſence can the whole be ſaid to pluck up any of its integral parts by the roots, ere it ſelf have exiſtence?
Quae. 4. How can it in reaſon be imagined, that the reſt of the Beaſts, Horns, or Kingdoms (viz. the ſeven that remained) being conſtituting parts of the Fourth great Beaſts power, I ſay, how can they retain life for a ſeaſon, after the Beaſt whoſe Horns they are, is ſlain?
Quae. 5. Seeing that three of the ten Horns of the Beaſt, are ſaid to fall before the Little Horn, or by his Prerogative: Let it be conſidered and well weighed, whether the cforeignword there uſed, be ever uſed (in Scripture) for a peoples revolting from their Prince? Or whether it ought not here to bee underſtood rather of a falling by the ſword, as Jeremiah uſeth the ſame word, Lam. 2. 21. But yet if it might be underſtood of a falling off or revolting, let it be conſidered notwithſtanding, how ſuitably this can be applied to the Goths and Vandals, who ſacked Rome, and took it, under the conduct of Genſericus? Might it not rather be ſaid, that the Roman▪ Civil, or Antichriſtian Power fell before them, then they before it? And how can this ſuit unto the Little Horns Character, verſ. 20? where it is ſaid, before whom, or by whoſe Prerogative, three fell.
Quae. 6. If Antichriſts riſe added dMr. Tilling. Knowledge of the times, p. 61, 62.Crowns unto the ten Horns Rev. 12. 3. and 13. 1.) to wit, Soveraignty and juriſdiction: How can it be ſaid of theſe three Horns, that they were plucked up by the roots, and fell before the little Horn, or by his prerogative? Is adding of Crowns, a pluking up by the roots? Or which three of the ten Horns are they, of whom it is here meant? If it be ſaid, that wee are not to underſtand three as a definite number, but as a number of perfection, denoting divers and many of the Horns; I wiſh it may be wel weighed, how unſafe ſuch an interpretation may be. For if it be granted that three in this Prophecy is not a definite but an indefinite and uncertain number, put for Many: will it not open a door to ſome, to queſtion the Trinity of Perſons in the God-head? and to ſay, there are many perſons, becauſe three is counted a number of perfection, and doth not denote a certain but an uncertain number, which, would be of dangerous conſequence? Beſides, it may juſtly be inquired, where the Scripture accounts the number three, a number of perfection? Often wee read of ſeven ſo uſed, as the Seven Spirits of God, the Seven Golden Candleſticks, the Seven Churches of Aſia, the Seven Starres, the Seven Angells, the Seven Seals. And it is uſuall in Scripture to reckon by Sevens. But I do not remember the like rotundity in the number three. And if wee ſhould make ſuch an interpretation of the number three, as if it were put for an indefinite number, it would render the Accounts of Scripture very uncertain, which is not ſafe to be admitted.
In the Fifth and laſt place, let it be conſidered, how the Characters of the Little Horn afore mentioned, will ſuit unto Charls Stuart the late King, in every particular.
For Firſt, He was a King.
Secondly, Hee was one of the ten Horns, or amongſt the ten Horns or Kings, appertaining to the Fourth Monarchy or great Beaſt.
Thirdly, Hee was by originall a Scot, and by conſequence a little Horn, for as much as Scotland is one of the leaſt Kingdoms of the ten. And as hee was the leaſt in reſpect of his originall Nation, ſo alſo hee was leaſt or youngeſt by birth. He was not the oldeſt but the youngeſt ſonne of James. And hee did ſpring up (as Daniel ſaith) from being a King of the leaſt of the Kingdoms, to be a King of three Kingdoms.
Fourthly, Hee did in a great meaſure pluck up by the roots all the three Nations or Kingdoms, by his prerogative; If you underſtand by that Metaphor, religion and the civil rights of the Nations. Which are to the Nations, as roots be to the tree. And hee made uſe of his prerogative to that end. For hee ſaid, hee would not leave a Puritan in all his Dominions. And it is well known, how farre hee proceeded to root up religion and the Nations Civil Rights, and to introduce an arbitrary government, and Popery, into all the three Nations.
Fifthly, Hee was a vigilant Prince and politick, and had the eyes of a man, as Daniel ſpeaketh.
Sixtly, His Spirit was bent againſt God, and againſt his people, and againſt the waies of God, as might be inſtanced at large.
Seventhly, Hee was a Prince of a wilfull reſolute ſpirit, inſomuch as King James (his Father) ſometimes would ſay of him, that through his wilfullneſſe, hee would loſe the three Nations.
Eightly, Hee made warre againſt the Saints (the better part giving denomination to the whole) throughout the three nations. Witneſſe, the diſplaying of his Banners firſt againſt the Parliament, not they firſt againſt him. And witneſſe, the Commiſſions hee granted to the Popiſh-Rebells in Ireland, againſt the Godly party there.
Ninthly, Hee made uſe of his prerogative, to the extirpation of religion, and the Nations Civil Rights, as farre as lay in his power, infeſting all the three Nations with inteſtine and bloody warres.
Tenthly, Who is it that knows not, how hee oppreſſed his Subjects with Taxes, Loans, Ship-monys, &c? according as it is ſaid of the Little Horn, that he did wear out the Saints, the whole taking denomination from the better part.
Eleventhly, It is a thing well known, that hee had a ſecret deſign to change the antient Government of the Nations, and inſtead thereof to have ruled by his Proclamations. And what elſe did his billetting of forrain Souldiers up and down the Country import, before the begining of theſe late warres?
Twelfthly, It is apparently known not only to theſe Nations but throughout the world, that hee was brought to a Judicial tryal, and received his ſentence before the High Court of Juſtice.
Thirteenthly, Hee was unkinged, as I may ſay, and diveſted of his royalty, when the Court proceeded againſt him as Charls Stuart a delinquent, without any Kingly title.
Fourteenthly, All theſe Nations, yea the whole World, can witneſſe, that hee was beheaded and ſlain by diſmembring, as Daniel fore-told.
Fifteenthly, It is well known and ſtill remains upon record, that after his beheading, the State removed away all ſoveraignty out of the Nations by a publick Act of State.
Sixteenthly, We know it to be a truth, that though Charls be beheaded and Soveraignty aboliſhed, yet the reſt of the Horns or Beaſts appertaining to the Empire, ſtill retain their power and Soveraignty, and ſo are like to do for a ſhort ſeaſon.
Seventeenthly, It needs no proof that all theſe things have been thus acted as upon a Stage, in the latter end of a time, times, and half a time. Our times drawing nigh to the expiration of the Fourth great Beaſt or Monarchy, as it is acknowledged by moſt.
Now let every judicious and unbyaſſed Reader conſider, and laying all that hath been ſpoken, by mee or others, in the ballance of the Sanctuary, looking up to Heaven for direction, and then comparing the word of God & the diſpenſations of his providence together, let them judge (as God ſhall caſt in any light) who it is that is meant by this little Horn. And if any doubt ſhould ariſe about the Characters I have collected out of the Text, whether they be the proper Characters of this little Horn, becauſe ſome good men expreſs them otherwiſe, let the Reader himſelf be judge, wch of the Characters have beſt footing in that Scripture that deſcribeth this little Horn. For to fetch Characters from the ſecond, Eighth, or Eleventh chapters of this Book, wilbe altogether improper, and raiſe a miſt before the Readers eye, unleſſe it could be manifeſted that thoſe Chapters ſpeak of the ſame thing, which with ſubmiſſion to better judgements, I may be bold to ſay hath not yet been done, nor can be. For as much as the matter of thoſe Viſions doth apparently differ from this of the little horn, as in part I have ſhewed upon the ſecond Chapter, and am now about to ſhew further in the opening of the eighth Chapter.