Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 7 · Daniel · Chapter 6

Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4 · Biblical commentary 7 · Daniel · Chapter 6

p. 562CHAP. VI.

ANd in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood to confirme and strengthen him. Here the Angel, that talked with Daniel, to purchase the more credit to that which he said, and to make him and his people the more confident in his help, recounteth unto him, what he had already done in favour of them, viz. holpen the King of the Medes against the Babylonians, that by this means, the Medes and Persians prevailing, they might have liberty to returne, which they could not have had, if the King of Babylon had continued still.

There shall stand up yet three Kings in Persia, and the fourth shall be rich above V. 2.them all. From hence, the Rabbins gather, that after Cyrus, in whose third and last year of his Monarchy Daniel had this Vision, as we may see chap. 10. 1. p. 563there were but three kings more of Persia: but this is against all Historicall relations, whereby it is shewed, that after 3. Cambyses who reigned 7 yeares, Smerdes 6 moneths, Darius Histaspis 36 yeares, Xerxes, the sourth here spoken of, especially for his exceeding great wealth, 20 yeares, for his wealth was so great, that he was able to maintain an Army of 1000000 of men. After Xerxes Artabanus 7 moneths, Artaxerxes Longimanus 40 years, Xerxes 2 months, S…gdianus 7 months, Darius Nothus 19 years, Artaxerxes Mnemon 43 years, Artaxerxes Ochus 23, Arses 4, Darius Codomanus 6. For thus long the Persian Monarchy stood, but then came under the Grecian, Darius Codomanus being overcome by Alexander, the whole time of the Persian Monarchy, taking in the time of Cyrus after the Monarchy attained 203 years, whereas three onelyonly are spoken of in this place, and a fourth at the most stirring up of war against the Greeks, this is done, because the scope of the Angel was not to show how many kings in all should hold that Monarchy, but how many before the quarrell begun betwixt the Persians and Grecians, whereupon afterward the Grecians invaded and overcame the Persians, in the time of whose reign he intended in the revelation following, to shew what doings there should bee in the world, what contentions or concords betwixt the divided Kings, that sprang from the Grecians, & what the people of God should in those times suffer, and how long. For which purpose it is nothing availing to speak of any more kings of Persia, then he doth, he passing al those over after Xerxes in silence cometh immediately after his moving against the Greeks, to speak of them, and the first mighty Monarch Alexander, & then of the Ptolemees and Seleucid. betwixt whom after a few years the Grecian Monarchy was divided, or at the least so much of it, as whereunto the Jews had any relation in respect of subjection or prevailings, at any time, because the end of all this was to stay them from falling into desperation for the troubles to come upon them. Thus Ierome, and Lyra, Hieron. Lyra. Polanus.&c. Polanus not differing herefrom in the main, that there were divers other kings after Xerxes, the fourth here spoken of, for both of Darius, Artaxerxes, and Ahashuerosh we read in Ezra and Nehemiah, yet he giveth this as a reason, why they that reigned after Xerxes, are passed over unmentioned, the Monarchy was not thenceforth so entire, but much shaken by the falling away of some Nations from obedience to the Persian. But forsomuch as they continued still mighty Monarchs, I rather rest in the reason before yeelded. From this Angels saying, that he strengthened the Median king; Note, that even when Note. one heathen, king, that prevaileth against another, it is not by his own strength, but some Angel of God helpeth him, and hereupon inwardly moveth him to shew favour to Gods people, but if after this he doth not, but turneth persecuter of them through the suggestions of an evillangel, the time shall come, that as he by help from above overcame, so he shall be by another overcome and destroyed: And thus it is to be thought, that the fight and contention is betwixt the Angels good and evill, the good move the Monarchs of the World to favour the people of God, but the evill to persecute and vex them and to hinder them in any godly enterprise, which they take in hand.

He foretelleth of Alexander the Great, and of the dividing of his kingdom V. 3, 4.into four, of which see before chap. 7. 6. and chap. 8. 8.

And the King of the South shall be strong, and one of his Princes, and he shall be V. 5.strong above him, and he shall have Dominion, and it shall be a great Dominion. Having spoken of the division of Alexanders kingdome into four, here leaving two, he declareth onelyonly things to come concerning the other two, with whom the Jews had to doe. And it is to be noted, that the Angel in his predictions of things to be done many years after is so punctuall, as that an historian writing things done cannot more exactly set them forth, that the fourth king from Cyrus should be so rich, that he should go against the Grecians, that from amongst them a more mighty King should arise, that this kingdome should be divided into four, but not of his children, but strangers, and that of them four two should be most remarkable, and lastly, particular passages betwixt Note. these two, and those in a long processe of time one after another. For what p. 564doth this shew, but that there is an Omniscient and Omnipotent God, who ruleth over all the World, and decreeth long before, how all the weighty affaires of kingdomes shall be transacted from time to time, that we may beleeve in him and serve him, and fear him onelyonly, and if we doe so, be comforted in our greatest adversities, for they come not unto us at the will of men but of God, who is our God and Father.

For the Kings of the South here spoken of, hereby the king of Egypt Ptolemie the son of Lagus is meant, who attained a very large kingdome, but Lyra.yet one of his Princes, that is, a Prince descending from him, Ptolemie Philadelphus attained a larger, and was more famous for wisdome and the love of learning, for he gathered together all sorts of Bookes, and procured 70 of the Elders of the Jews to be sent unto him to translate the Old Testament into Greek, furnishing thus his library with that also. Thus Lyra, but Polanus saith, that by one of his Princes is meant one of Alexanders Princes, Seleucus, Pelanus.who gat the kingdome of Syria, and was a greater King▪ then Ptolemie. And of the Egyptian Kings he reckoneth up 6. Ptolemie Soter, the sonne of Pausanias l. 1.Lagus, whom the Macedonians yet held to be the son of Philip of Macedon, the son of Amyntas. He was a great King, and called Soter, a saviour, from the contrary, because that through the wars, that he made against Seleucus, the Syrians suffered much and many of them perished. For the Monarchy of Alexander being divided into four, each king sought to enlarge his kingdome what he could, by which means great wars were made, especially by Ptolemie against Seleucus and Antigonus, another of those kings, and he greatly inlarged his kingdome. After him was Ptolemie Philadelphus before spoken of. 3. Ptolemie Energetes. 4. Ptolemie Philopator. 5. Ptolemie Epiphanes. 6. Ptolemie Philometor. And the King of Egypt is called King of the South, because Egypt lay southward from Judea, and Syria North, for which the king of Syria is called king of the North, betwixt which two were the Jews, and therefore continually subject to be oppressed by them. Of the kings of Syria he reckoneth up eight. Seleucus Nicanor. 2. Antiochus Soter. 3. Antiochus Theos. 4. Antiochus Calinicus. 5. Seleucus Ceraunus. 6. Antiochus Magnus. 7. Seleucus Philopator. 8. Antiochus Epiphanes. For Seleucus Nicanor, or Nicator, he was at the first but a Prince of Babylon, then Antigonus the king falling out with him, he went to Ptolemee the king of Egypt, and having obtained of him 1000 Foot men and 300 Horsemen he returned to Babylon and recovered his principality there, growing after this very wealthy in a short time. Then hee was made king of Babylon, and Media, and inlarged his Empire beyond Euphrates. Hee also gat Mesopotamia, Armenia and Cappadocia. He had also the Persians, Parthians, Bactrians, Arabians, Tapyrians, Sogdians, Arachotes, Hireans, and other Nations even to the river Indus subject unto him, so that except Alexander himself, no man ever had so large an Empire in Asia, as he. Thus also Diodorus Siculus Di…dor. Sicul. … 12. 29 bibl. histor.Appianus, Alex. Mnemon and Livy. But of the history of this kings proceedings who became so great, and of Alexanders kingdome first divided amongst four, then coming into the hands of these two, the king of the South and North, see my Continuation after Fsther. pag. 101. 102.

And in the end of years they shall join themselves together, for the kings daughter of the South shall come to the king of the north, and make an agreement, but he shall not retain the V. 6.power of the arm, neither shal he stand, nor his arm, but shee shal be given up, and they that brought her and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times. Having before shewed, to what greatnesse two of Alexanders Princes should grow, and one greater then the other, that is, Seleucus Nicanor, & Ptolemeus Solter, now he proceedeth to shew further, how that after many battels fought formerly between them, when they were both dead and had ended their dayes which were many, for Ptolomie Soter, and Seleucus first dyed, and his son Antiochus Theos succeeded him, and Ptolemie Philadelphus after the death of his Father was king of the South, that is, of Egypt, after which this was done. According to this prophesie then, by the end of years, is meant the end of the yeares of Ptolemie Soter, when his son Ptolemie Philadelphus reigned after him. For then, p. 565as is here foretold, the King of Egypt to make peace with Antiochus Theos, gave him his daughter to Wife, Berenice by name: whereas he had another Wife or Concubine before called Laodice, but she was put down and Berenice taken for the effecting of peace.

Thus it was thought, that a sure foundation of Peace betwixt the Kingdoms Note. was laid, but God, who hateth such doings, turned it into an occasion of speedy destruction to Antiochus Calinicus; for Laodice, whom he had put away, but being won by the love of her look again, took occasion for his inconstancie to poison him, and he being dead, Antiochus Calinicus his son by Laodice, coming to the Crown, that he might reign the more securely, slew Berenice, his other Wise, the King of Egypts daughter, together with her son, being instigated thereunto by his mother Laodice.

But such abominable wickednesses went not long unpunished, for Ptolemie Philadelphus being dead not long after his marrying his daughter Berenice to Antiochus Theos, his son Ptolemie Evergetes, that succeeded him, to be revenged for the murthering of his sister and her son, made war upon Calinicus of Syria, and many of his subjects out of a detestation of his cruelty, revolted from him to the King of Egypt: by which means he being greatly strengthened, subdued much of that Kingdom, took Laodice the mother and put her to death, and followed on his victories so, as that, had not newes come of troubles arising at home in his own kingdom, which caused him to return; it was thought, that he would have brought under all Syria, as I have shewed also in my foresaid Continuation, pag. 109. 110.

And thus all was fulfilled, that is here said so long a time before, she shall not retain the power of the arm, nei…er stand, which is so spoken, because a Queen, as Berenice was, after joining in marriage with the King of Syria, is of great power with the King to hold him, as it were, by a strong hand from doing hurt unto the family of which she cometh, but with her it fell out contrary; for her husband was poisoned, and a new King reigning, she was so far from having any power, that she was not able to save her own life, or her childs, as appeareth by the History before going.

And she was taken away by death, when murthered by Antiochus Calinicus, and he that begat her was taken away before that, Ptolemie Philadelphus, who with his Forces, if he had lived, would have been a strengthening unto her, and was as long as he lived; which is meant by saying, in those dayes; but when he was dead, her brother being too slow in his setting forth for her rescue, she perished before that he came.

From all which, note, that wicked means by unlawfull marriages, of making Note. peace are not available; but through Gods curse thereupon, shall produce cruell and bloudy warres: for Solomons peace was thus turned into trouble.

2. Murther and bloudshed shall undoubtedly be punished with bloudshed, how cunningly soever it be contrived: as it was in Laodice after the second murther by her instigation committed. Polanus following Appianus Alexandrinus, Polanus.saith, that Laodice was the daughter of Ptolemie Philadelphus also, and that here was the foul sin of incest committed: but this is not probable, because then Ptolemie Evergetes the brother of Berenice would not in way of revenge for the death of one sister have slain the other; and because, as I have shewed in my foresaid History; that Laodice was but the Concubine of Antiochus Theos.

But out of a branch of her roots one shall stand up in his estate, that shall come with an V. 7.army and enter into the fortresses of the King of the North, and shall deal against them and prevail: Having shewed v. 6. how Berenice the daughter of Ptolemie Philadelphus should be taken away, and her father also, who dyed before that Antiochus Calinicus had shewed that cruelty against her; now he proceedeth to shew the manner how this should be done.

By this branch understand Ptolemie Evergetes, who made warre, as was said before, against Antiochus Callinicus and mightily prevailed; and returning, p. 566as is said v. 8, 9. carryed away the Idols of Egypt, which Cambyses the Persian V. 8, 9.King had before taken in great numbers, and pretious vessels of silver and gold, viz. of silver 40000 talents, as Jerome saith; and he is said to be a branch Hieron.of his roots, because he sprang from the same parents, Ptolemie Philadelphus and her Wife, and returned again at the hearing of troubles arising in his own land, as hath been already said.

To this Josephus addeth, that Ptolemie Evergetes having obtained so great Joseph. lib. 2. contra Appion.victories, although he carryed away the Egyptian gods, yet he sacrificed not unto them, but going to Jerusalem, in his return he in way of thankfulnesse to the god of the Jewes offered his oblations at the Temple there.

But his sons shall be stirred up and shall assemble a multitude of great Forces, and one shall certainly come and overflow and passe through, then shall he return and be stirred up V. 10.even to his fortresse: Antiochus Calinicus being subdued, as is aforesaid, dyed, his Kingdom of Syria becoming a prey to Ptolemie: but now it is further shewed, and accordingly it came to passe, his two sons, Seleucus Ceraunus, and Antiochus Magnus went against Ptolemie Philopator, who now raigned after his father Evergetes in Egypt, but Ceraunus the elder brother dying whilest he was upon the way, Antiochus Magnus hearing of it, went forth in the same expedition, and of him it is singularly here said, one shal certainly come and overflow: But this was not immediately after the death of his brother, at what time he was very young, but having gone through many adventures before, and fought with those of his own subjects that rebelled against him: For after all this he went against Ptolemie Philopator, a sensuall man, with a very great army, and gat the victory at the first; but Ptolemie being hereby forced to leave his pleasure for a time gathered a great army and fought with Antiochus and overcame; and then Antiochus having also other enemies, made peace with Ptolemie, that he might goe against them.

And this was according to that which followeth, v. 11. and the King of the South shall be moved with choler, and shal come forth and fight with the King of the North, V. 11.and he shal set forth a great multitude, but they shal be given into his hand: that is, Antiochus the King of Syria, who brought into the field as great an army as Ptolemie, even seventy thousand, and yet the victory fel to Ptolemie, as hath been said, and he was forced to make peace with him; of all which see more at large in my foresaid Continuation p. 117.

And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up, and he shall cast down many ten thousands, but he shall not be strengthened by it: that is, Ptolemy V. 12.by his good successe before spoken of, shall be puffed up with pride, and go to the house of God at Jerusalem, and presume to enten thereinto, which was in any man a most high degree of pride, but the high Priest praying God to keep his house from being thus prophaned, he was immediately smitten, so as that they thought he would presently have dyed, wherefore his servants carryed him forth; but he tooke this repulse so indignly at the Jews hands, that he threatned to take revenge upon them. For this the Jewes being filled with feare, were cast down in prayer and fasting, which was his casting of many Myriads down; and God was by them intreated miraculously to save them and their City to the Kings great detriment, he being again smitten in his person, and his Elephants so scared, that they turned back upon the Kings Army and slew many of them, so that he was nothing strengthened, but rather weakned hereby. Lyra by his casting down of many 10000, understands Antiochus his army, but who doubteth but that he was strengthened hereby? this was after that.

For the King of the North shall come, and set forth a multitude greater then the former. This is said to have been done after many years, for it was not till after the death V. 13.of Ptolemie Philopator in the time of his son Ptolemie Epiphanes being but 4 years old. For Philopator having reigned 17 years, in which time he lived in all sensuall pleasure with Agathoclea and Agathocles, the sister and the brother, dyed; and his young son was under the tuition of these two. Hereupon Antiochus Epiphanes taking advantage of the evill condition wherein things were in p. 567Egypt, by means of these Usurpers and this Infant, came with a great Army, which he prepared against Philopator, and procured the King of Macedonia to joine with him, it being between them agreed, that the Cities which they should take in Egypt, should be shared between them, one part which lay neerest to the King of Macedon, going to him, and the rest to Antiochus. And this is that which is here said of many coming against the King of the South, and of V. 14.a greater multitude brought by the King of the North, then before. Also the Robbers of thy people, shall exalt themselves to establish the vision. This was done, when the Egyptians and Syrians being thus in war on both sides of Judea: Onias the high Priest went into Egypt, where he with his brethren had a place assigned unto him in Heliopolis, and there built a Temple, pretending the accomplishment of the prophesie of Esay ch. 19. where it is said, There shall be in that day an Altar in the midst of the Land of Egypt. And by this means many Jewes were drawn thither, and many tooke part with Antiochus.

Now because that vision was pretended, it is said, that they may fulfill the vision, Lyra.yet they that did this are called Robbers, Vulg. Lat. Praevaricatores, because it was a manifest transgression to sacrifice in any other place, then at Jerusalem; and they erred in making such application of the prophesie of Esay, and therefore it is further added, that they shall sall; and so they did indeed, for the Romans coming into Egypt and subduing it, burnt this Temple, and laid it even with the ground, destroying the Jewes there in great multitudes.

Note hence, that they are robbers of God and notorious transgressours, Note. that presume to serve God any otherwise then he hath in his word appointed. For to his word we must take heed in all things, and not goe therefrom so much as in any circumstance; for the Jews offending herein escaped not the vengeance of God.

Note also, that any part of the word being mis-understood, will not bear a man out, if he doth contrary to the meaning; so that we had need to confider and search diligently for the true meaning of every place, that we be not unawares intangled with errour, and consequently come into danger of destruction.

Lastly the pride of those, that goe upon false grounds of Scripture is so great, that when they doe abominably, they bear it out, as if they were the most pious of all others.

So the King of the North shall come and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities, V. 15.&c. How this was fulfilled, see in my foresaid Continuation p. 126. Antiochus Magnus having his Army ready to come against Egypt with the united forces of Macedonia, the Egyptians sent Embassadours to the Romans, desiring to take their young King into their protection, and to forbid the two Kings to go on in their war against their land; to this the Romans readily assented, and sent to forbid them; but Antiochus nothing moved hereat, went on and fought, and tooke divers Cities of Egypt, the Romans being in the mean time busied in their wars against Philip King of Macedonia. v. 16. And he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed: touching this, the Jewes V. 16.seeing the good successe of Antiochus, fell to him, so many as were about Jerusalem, and he being entered their City, they holpe him to drive out the Garrison of the Egyptians, which held a tower there; and this was his standing in the glorious land, and the consuming thereof by his hand, because he consumed the Egyptians there, and their adherents; there none left now but such as stood to him.

He shall also set his face to enter into his whole Kingdome, and his upright ones with V. 17.him, and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her, but she shall not stand on his side: the Vulg. for these words, and his upright ones with him, hath it, he shall do right things unto him, so likewise Hebr. the meaning is, Antiochus having taken divers Cities of Egypt, not being satisfied herewith, shall seek the overthrow and conquest of the whole Kingdome; and to this end shall politickly p. 568cast about to doe it, by giving to Ptolemie Epiphanes his daughter Cleopatra to Wife, for which, it is said, he shall do right things with him, that is, in appearance, because this seemed to tend to the settling of a peace, although he had another end in his mind, viz. by the means to take advantage. And thus it came to passe, for Antiochus, who before despised the Romans, and set light by their charge to desist from attempting any thing against Egypt, hearing that they were upon terms of Peace with Philip King of Macedonia, sent an Embassage to them, telling them, that he would make peace with Ptolemie and give him his daughter Cleopatra to Wife, and restore the Cities which he had taken; which he did, espousing her unto him at the 7 year of her age, and marrying her at the 13. But when as he thought by her meanes the more easily to obtain the kingdom of Egypt, she rather stood for her husband, and he was disappointed. And his daughter Cleopatra is called the daughter of women, because she was one most rare for her beauty, being also wise and understanding.

After this he shall turn his face to the Isles and take many, but a Prince for his own behalf V. 18.shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease, without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him. This was fulfilled when Antiochus falling upon the Islands of Asia, and making warre upon them, tooke many; but they being in league with the Romans, soone had aid against him. Scipio Africanus being sent, who is the Prince here spoken of, and the reproach caused by Antiochus ceased, and was turned upon him, when as Scipio overcame and chased him away, who before had overcome, and to their great reproach subdued those Islanders.

Thus Lyra, calling him Africanus, whereas in truth his brother for his victories in Africa had that surname, and he for his victories in Asia, of Scipio Asiaticus.

Then he shall turn his face to his own land, but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found: For Antiochus being beaten from the Isles of Asia, thought to returne V. 19.home into Syria his own country, but in the way he was slain and cut in pieces so as that his dead body being sought could not after this be found: Thus Lyra, alledging 2 Maccah. 1. 16. But because, as I have shewed in my foresaid continuation, that this Antiochus dyed in Syria 2 years after his war with the Romans ended; that spoken of Antiochus 2 Mac. 1. must be understood of another of that name, and not of him; for his falling and not being found, this was fulfilled by his death happening so soon after, viz. ann. 27. of his reign, it being a common phrase to expresse the state of the dead, he is gone and no more seen.

Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the Kingdom, but in V. 20.a few dayes he shall be destroyed neither in anger, nor battail; the Vulg. for a raiser of taxes in the glory of the Kingdome, hath it, vilissimus & indignus decore regio: but herein the sense, which he conceived that was the translatour, was rather respected then the words: Seleucus Philopator who was the King here prophefied of, (for he succeeded his father Antiochus Magnus) was a man so ignoble in his life, that in all his time he did nothing of note, although he reigned 12 years; and for this, the Vulg. reads it so, a most vile man, and unworthy of Kingly honour: whereas Hebr. it is, an exacter passing through the glory of the Kingdom: as if he had said, he should be King indeed; but of him nothing else should be memorable, then that he should be permitted to reign and wear the ornaments of a King, but all his glory should lye herein only, his imployment all the time being nothing else, but as of Tribute-gatherer of the Romans, to whom he was to pay according to his fathers agreement 1000 talents per annum For his destruction, it was by Heliodorus a man in high place about him, who ruled all as he pleased, but because the King had sent his son for an hostage to Rome, and called his brother Antiochus away, who lay as hostage there before; he now fearing at his return, that he should not bear any such sway any more, poisoned him, and thus he fell not in wrath, nor battle, but by treachery.

p. 569Yet if this were the Heliodorus sent to rob and bring away the spoiles of the Temple; of whom it is spoken 2 Mac. 3. that Seleucus sent him to Jerusalem to this end, when he heard of the great treasures there; but he returned well scourged and without the said Treasures, as there is shewed at large: It is worth the noting, that both the King that sent him, had him made by the Note. just judgment of God, the instrument of his destruction: and Heliodorus went not after that long unjudged; for after that treacherous fact done by him against the King, Eumenes the King of Pergamus came and slue him, and delivered the Kingdom to Antiochus the foresaid brother of Seleucus at his return from Rome, hoping by this means to have him ever after a sure friend: wherefore it is an evill covetousnesse in any, to covet treasures sanctified, and will undoubtedly bring destruction upon the covetors.

And forsomuch as Heliodorus being before punished for his sacrilegious attempt, was nothing amended, but by his ambition ran into another foul sin of murthering his King, and then was payed for al together by his own bloudshed: Note that when a mans sins come to the full, he shall escape Gods judgments no longer.

Lastly, because he is said to have done this in hope to reign, but was thus prevented: Note that murtherers of their Kings judgments sleep not, but are at the door and shall suddenly come upon them and they shall not escape; there being no example to be found of any that have committed this horrible sin, but vengeance hath been taken of them within lesse then a year; as upon all the murtherers of Julius Caesar, and of Kings commemorated in Scripture, that were murthered by such as reigned in their stead.

And in his estate shall stand up a vile person to whom they shall not give the honour of V. 21.the Kingdome, but he shall come in peaceably and obtain the Kingdome by flatteries: According to this prophesie, Seleucus being dead, Antiochus called Epiphanes succeeded in his Kingdome, although not his son and heir, but his brother. For his sons name that should have reigned in his stead, was Demetrius now a pledge at Rome in stead of this Antiochus, who was a pledge there before, and because he was young, being but 10 years old, his uncle Antiochus entered the Kingdome at the first but as a Protectour, but after he had entered, he soon took it upon him as King. And because he was Uncle to Ptolemie Philometor, who now reigned in Egypt, being very young also, he ambitiously sought to be Protectour of the Kingdome of Egypt, but being rejected by the Lords of that Country, he prepared to make warre against them; whereupon they sent to Rome and Popilius was soon sent, who came opportunely as he was marching towards Egypt; after speaking with whom, and seeing the Senates Letters, he durst not goe any further, but returned home.

Now he is said to be a vile person, because not the heir to the Crown, but of an inferiour condition, and that they gave not to him the honour of the Kingdome, because the father of Seleucus Philopator appointed him and not this Antiochus to be King after him, but he obtains the Kingdome by flattery, pretending nothing, but to be Protectour in his Nephews minority.

And with the arms of a floud they shall be over flown from before him, and shall be V. 22.broken; yea also the prince of the covenant, the Vulg. and the arms of the fighter shall be expugned from before him: but the New Testament agreeth best with the Hebrew, the word foreign signifying a floud, and it is word for word the arms of a floud shal overflow; the meaning is, that Antiochus being repelled by the Lords of Egypt in his sute to be Protector of the young King his Nephew; gathered Forces to fight against them, and they coming as a floud with Forces bearing downe all things, were overcome by him, and they being overcome, their King called the prince of the covenant was overcome also. And by this name he is called, because when Antiochus had beaten his Lords, he told him, that he did what he had done, not out of any ill will, but love towards him, and desire of his good; and to perswade him of this he made a covenant with him to be true to him, and so he became Protectour of the Kingdom, as he being thus drawn by him agreed with him, and made a covenant with him.

p. 570And after the league made with him, he shal deceitfully, &c. For when Antiochus had thus agreed with the young King, he came with small Forces and carryed V. 23.away out of the chief Cities of Egypt, of which he thus became Master, V. 24.so great riches, as none of his progenitours had …ver formerly done. This Ptolemie Philometor seeing into, sought to agree with his brother Physcon, who had before by his mothers instigation, contended with him about the kingdome: the kingdome of Egypt being thus divided between them both, Antiochus Epiphanes hearing this, gathered great Forces again to invade Egypt, but the States of Egypt sent Embassadours to him to know the cause, and what would satisfie him, that he might abstain from hostility: then he demanding certain Cities which had been taken before, the Egyptians who sent to the Romans for aid during this parle, having Embassadours sent from thence to prohibit Antiochus to goe against them, thought that they should have had peace; but he knowing that the Romans were busied in another War in Macedonia, went on, and at length, when they saw no remedy, they yeelded the demanded Cities unto him, and so had peace again.

Josephus relateth the history of Epiphanes thus, He coveting to get the kingdom Joseph. antiq. l. 12. c 4. 5.of Egypt, took the opportunity of Ptolemie Philometors childhood, to invade Egypt with a mighty army, but was encountred by Eulaeus and Lenaeus two mighty Princes of Egypt; who in times past, had used to invade and overflow Syria with great Forces; yet Antiochus prevailing, they were both slain and their Forces scattered: And therefore by these the arms of an overflowing floud, which were broken, may be understood.

The other Princes of Egypt seeing this, sought to have a covenant made with him about the Tuteleship of the young King his sisters son, amongst whom Tryphon was the chief, being therefore most probably here called the prince of the covenant, who is also said to be broken, because after this league made, Antiochus took order to take away Tryphon by cutting him off, that he might not be hindered in his designs; and then he entered Memphis not with many, as had been covenanted before, wherein the chiefe strength of Egypt lay; placing a Garrison of his own there, by which means he kept the countrey in awe, and carrying great treasures away, as was before said, domineered for a time, as here is further said, at his will. For it was but for a time, for Ptolemie Philometor being grown up to more years, took courage to him to drive the Garrisons of Antiochus out of his land, of which it is said, the King of the South shal be stirred up with a very great army, but he shal not stand, for V. 25.they shal forecast devices against him. Hereby the forecasters of devices against him are meant his own Lords, who should under hand take part with Antiochus against their own King, because they feared, that he being young and unexperienced, Antiochus would prevail, and then it would goe ill with them: and by this means Philometor was overthrown, as it is here said, but he shal not stand: of these wicked devices against their King, it is further said v. 26. Yea they that V. 26.feed of the portion of his meat, shal destroy him; to make it further plain that his own subjects and servants were meant, as is aforesaid, v. 27. And both these V. 27.Kings hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lyes at one table, but it shal not prosper, for yet the end shal be at the appointed time. Lyra taking the practising of Lyra.devices before spoken of to have been for the making of peace to the great disadvantage of the King of Egypt, whereby he afterwards fell; saith, that it being concluded, Ptolemie feasted Antiochus, but whilest they shewed mutuall love either to other in their speeches, and court complements, they neither of them intended what they said in their hearts, and this he calleth their lying one to another, one aiming at nothing else but the circumventing of the other; Antiochus aiming at the getting of all Ptolemies kingdoms, and Ptolemie at the getting of his, but it shal not prosper; neither of them shall have his desire this way, because the end of either of these kingdoms shall be at the appointed time, that is, the time set by God, and not before by any force or fraud of theirs against one another: the Vulg. rendereth it, yet the end shal be at another time: or rather this appointed time is that spoken of vers. 29. when by the p. 571Romans an end was put to the stirrings of Antiochus against Egypt any more.

Then shall he return into his Land with great riches, &c. that is, Antiochus with V. 28.much wealth by his foresaid expedition gotten in Egypt, and his heart shall be against the holy Covenant, and shall doe exploits; this is put here in brief to be further dilated upon vers. 30.

At the time appointed hee shall return and come towards the south, but it shall not be, V. 29.as the former or as the latter. From whence we may gather, that he went out against Egypt twice before, and that this was the third time, once vers. 23, 24. when he returned with so great riches out of Egypt, as never any king of Syria did before him, the second, vers. 25. 28. when he carryed away great riches also. But now the third time he goeth out, but not with the like successe, and V. 30. The vulgar reads it Romans, and of the reason why they are so called, see Numb. 24. 24. in my Exposition thereupon.Num 24:24hereof the reason is shewed, vers. 30. For the ships of Chittim shall come against him, therefore he shall be grieved and return, that is, the Romans being sought unto by the Egyptians, sent Popilius a Senator unto him with letters from the Senate, forbidding him to meddle with the Egyptians their confederates, and requiring him to rest content with his own kingdome. And when he desired time to consider what to answer, he having made a circle with his staffe round about Antiochus charged him not to depart out of it, till he had given that his answer to the Senates letters. At this he was much troubled, yet durst doe no otherwise but depart with his army homeward again. But now the wicked plot which he had before in his head against the Temple at Jerusalem called the holy covenant, because the Ark of the Covenant or testimony stood there in the most holy place, he most barbarously put in practice. He shall return and have V. 30.indignation against the Holy Covenant, and have intelligence with them, that forsake the Holy Covenant, &c. Of this see my Continuation often spoken before, pag. 131. 132. how Menelaus the High Priest at that time consented with him, and went into the Sanctuary before him, which he robbed of 180 talents of gold and silver, and having slain of men, women and children 80000 and sold for slaves 40000 he returned home into his own country.

And armes shall stand on his side, and they shall pollute the Sanctuary and take away the dayly Sacrifice, and shall place the abomination making desolate. This was fulfilled V. 31.when Epiphanes had a garrison of Macedonians in Jerusalem to keep all in awe, that none might dare to stir against him whatsoever he did, and when within two yeares he sent to prohibit sacrificing to God, or keep his laws, punishing all such as obeyed him not in most cruell manner, and to set up in the Temple the image of Iupiter here called the abomination making desolate, because that for Manasseh his doing the like, and setting up idols altars to pollute the Temple the land was made desolate by the Caldees for 70 yeares, and so was in danger to be again for this. Whence note, that abominations in a land bring desolation Note. to it, the one being as inseparable from another, as the effect from the cause, burning from fire, darknesse from night, or the destruction of the bodily life from poison being drunk. And although idolatries of all sorts are Ezek. 8.Ezek 8most commonly set forth by the name of abominations, yet it is certain, that there are other grosse sins, which are abominations also, because Dan. 9. 27. it is said, for the overspreading of abominations he will make it desolate, when as the Jews had left all their idolatries after their return out of captivity. Wherefore there be other abominations working to desolation as well as idolatry, yea to a greater and longer lasting, and what these principally be, read Mat. 23. 23. O Jerusalem that killest the Prophets, &c. Behold thy habitation shall be left desolate, which intimateth, that bloudshed, and specially of Prophets and men sent of God, but above all of Shiloh, that sent one, bringeth the greatest and most dreadfull desolation of all other sins.

And such as doe wickedly against the Covenant shall be corrupt by flatteries, but the V. 32.people that know their God, shall be strong and doe exploits. This was fulfilled in Alcimus a Priest of the seed of Aaron, as is shewed 1 Mac. 7. who was a vile instrument, to promote heathenism amongst the Jews, and corrupted many, and in Eleazarus, and the mother with her seven children constantly suffering torments p. 572in extremity for the Law of God, and in Mattathias and Judos Maccabeus 2 Mac. 7.2 Macc 7and his brethren, who valiantly fought against the heathen and expelled them from Ierusalem; and cleansed the Sanctuary, and set up the worship of God there again that had long ceased.

And they that understand among thy people shall instruct many, yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, and by captivity many dayes. This was also fulfilled in Mattathias V. 33.the High Priest, by whose instructions and exhortations many were moved to join with him in a resolution to vindicate the Laws and Temple of God from violation, but at the first their enemies coming upon them on the Sabbath day, when they made scruple of fighting to defend themselves, many hundreths perished by the sword of the enemy, and many were carried away into miserable exile, as in the books of the Maccab. is shewed at large, and many suffered by fire at other times.

Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help, but many shall cleave to V. 34. 1 Mac. 7.1 Macc 7them by flatteries. This help they had by Iudas Maecabeus and his brethren, and Alcimus was the man that flattered with them, and Nicanor, who pretending to make friendship with Iudas Maccabeus would have circumvented and V. 35.taken him, vers. 35. And some of them of understanding shall fall to try them, to purge and to make them white even unto the end, for it is for an appointed time: this was fulfilled in Iudas Maccabeus and other Priests of understanding his brethren, when they were slain one at one time, and another at another, but they were by this means onelyonly tryed and purged, and made white to walk with Christ in white in another world, as it is said to those in Sardis, that kept their garments Revel. 3. 3. Revel. 4. 9.Rev 3:3Rev 4:9and defiled them not, and of those that came out of great tribulation being clad with white robes. Even to the time of the end, this is added to shew the sufferings of the faithfull in this world to be, not for a short time onelyonly, Note. and then to be free, but when persecution ariseth, continual, yet for their comfort it is said, for an appointed time, it shall be no longer so then God hath appointed, who determineth the time of his peoples sufferings; neither can they exceed the time that he hath set.

And the King shal doe according to his wil, and he shal exalt himself above every V. 36.god, and he shal speak marvellous things against the God of gods and shal prosper, til the indignation be accomplished, for that which is determined shal be done. This saith Polanus is interpreted by some of the Roman Monarchy, by some of some particular Polanus.Emperours of Rome, but it is manifestly spoken of the same Antiochus Epiphanes, and his intolerable presumptions against the most High. For hee according to this prophesie spake against God and magnified himself, when he wrote to Ierusalem that they should depart from the rites by God ordained of circumcising, sacrificing unto him, and abstaining from swines 1 Mac. 1. 4. &c.1 Macc 1:4flesh as unclean. Neither did he thus onelyonly against the true God, here called the God of gods, against whom he herein spake, but he exalted himselfe above every God, because at the same time hee writ, that every one should leave his laws, and be all one in religion, who were under his Dominion. V. 41. 42And in all this he prospered till the accomplishment of the indignation, that is, till as an instrument of Gods wrath against the Jews, for their wickednesse he had done all things against them, which God had determined, for neither could he, nor can any wicked tyrant in the world doe more, or prevail longer. Note. Vers. 37. Neither shall he regard the God of his Fathers, nor the desire of women. V. 37. V. 38.Vers. 38. But in his estate he shall honour the God of Forces, a god, whom his Fathers knew not he shall honour with gold and silver, Here the true God is called the God of his Fathers, because they, although heathens, honoured him with their gifts, as Antiochus Magnus, his father, who maintained the Sacrifices at his owne charge, giving for the buying thereof and of wine and oyle 20000 pieces of silver yeerly, and for fine floure 1470 measures of wheat, and 375 measures Joseph. Antiq. l. 12. c. 3.of salt, &c. as Iosephus saith, and Seleucus his Father and others before him, of whose honoring God thus with their gifts see 2 Mac. 3. 2. But this God he regarded not, for he made his dayly Sacrifices to cease, as hath been already said; nor the desire of women, for as Polan us saith, having one wife, that laboured p. 573with him what shee could to hold him from those attempts against the God of Israel, he yet hardened his heart and would not be moved by her to forbear. For the next words, vers. 38. But in his estate he shal honour the God of forces, Heb. mauzzim, which signifieth forces, and to render it word for word, it is, for the God of strengths or forces, in his seat shal he honour, and a god whom his fathers knew not he shal honour, &c. By the God of forces the true God, who is Almighty, being meant, it is here prophesied, that in the Temple at Ierusalem his proper seat upon earth hee should honour Iupiter Olympius, as indeed Antiochus Epiphanes did, sending an old man thither to dedicate 2 Mac. 6.2 Macc 6the Temple to this idol, and to set it up therein. And thus he is said to Stralo Geograp. l. 16.have honoured with his pretious gifts a god, that his fathers knew not, because this Idol Iupiter was none of their countrey god, but Apollo and Diana, and Atargatis a goddesse of the Syrians, as Strabo saith. The vulgar translation then, and the New Translation rendring it, he shal honour the God Mauzzim, or of Forces, is farre from the true sense, and right grammaticall construction of the words, by joining those things together, which are to be disjoined, as hath been already shewed, and this hath caused great errour in some, taking Mauzzim for devill, some for Mahomet, or some other, all which are absurd. And now it is time to make application of all that hath been said of this Antiochus to Antichrist, the Pope of Rome. That Antichrist is here set forth is the tenet of Jerome and of all antiquity, yea some expound it altogether Hieron.of Antichrist, or at the least as fulfilled in him, being but in part fulfilled in Antiochus. For these words, saith Lyra, he shal not regard the God Lyra.of his fathers, or any God, cannot agree to Antiochus, sith that hee was an idolater as well as his Fathers, and now, when hee put downe all other rites about other gods, yet hee was a worshipper of Jupiter. But by that which hath been already said we may see, that it is not unaptly applyed to Antiochus, because that howsoever it be said, he shal not regard any God, yet it is added for further explication, hee shal honour a god with gold and pretious stones, &c. whereby we are given to understand, that by any god is not meant any god at all, but any god used to be worshipped and honoured by his fathers or countrey men. Wherefore it is to be held, that the things here prophesied were all fulfilled in Antiochus, but in speaking thus of him the spirit of God had a further aime, in him and the abominations committed by him, to set forth the Antichrist, and that not one yet to come, being one particular person, who should reign 3 yeares and an half 1260 dayes, as hath been generally held of old, but the Pope of Rome being, as it were, one continued Antichrist in each Pope succeeding his predecessour for so many yeares, as the dayes before spoken of. And this may well be made undeniably to appear, if we begin with Antiochus his beginning, and from thence proceed throughout all that which is prophesied of him; and lay the Popes beginning and proceedings hereunto in his horrible pride and ambition, and conculcating the Laws and Ordinances of God under his feet, and setting up his own upon pain of death to be obeyed and followed by all men. For his beginning, as he was at the first base in respect of that which he afterwards came unto, so was the Pope of Rome a poore man, as Peter, whom they reckon for the first that sate in that seat, Act. 3.Acts 3who said to the Creeple that expected an almes from him, silver and gold have I none, but if after the example of Peter, he had contained in this poor and humble estate, he should never have so farre degenerated, as of a Minister of Christ to have become Antichrist. 2. As Antiochus, so the Pope usurped a kingdom, that belonged not unto him, and whereunto he had no right, for to be chief Bishop and above all others is peculiar to Christ and not communicable 1 Pet. 2. 25.1 Pet 2:25to any other, as one of the Bishops of Rome himselfe, even Gregory the first, taught in his Epistle to Johannes Nestentes Bishop of Constantinople, averring, that hee who should take upon him to be Universall Bishop, or Bishop of Bishops, was either Antichrist, or the forerunner of Antichrist, for not a temporall Crown, but crosses belong to every one of Christs p. 574Disciples according to that, he that wil be my Disciple, let him take up his crosse and follow me. 3. As Antiochus, so the Pope by flattery in a peaceable manner gat his kingdome by insinuating into Phocas, that murtherer of his master Mauritius and reigned in his stead: for till Pope Hildebrand otherwise called Gregory the seventh after an. Domini 600. none of the Bishops of Rome ever attained unto it, although divers ambitiously sought it, as Silvester, Beniface and Sozimus, who sent their Legats to the sixth Affrican Councell impudently to require to have it confirmed by the authority of that Councell, but had a most shamefull repulse, as being detected of forgery about the Decrees of the Councell of Nice, which they said, had long before given the supremacy to the Pope of Rome, but the true copy thereof being sent for to Alexandria, therein their fraud appeared, for there was nothing else there decreed touching the Bishop of Rome, but that he should be Episcopus primae sedis Constantinopolitanus Episcopus secundae, &c.

Again as Antiochus being grown rich and mighty, his heart was against the holy 2Covenant, ver. 28. and he had indignation against it, and had intelligence with those that for sook it, v. 30. so as the Pope of Rome hath his heart gone from the sincerity of the truth of the New Testament or Covenant, for he hath made a great defection herefrom, as it was foretold, 2 Thes. 2. 3. There shal be a falling away first, and the man of sin shal be revealed, and he hath judgment at it, but is all one with those that taking part with him forsake it. For what is the new Covenant, but a Covenant of Grace, not of works? and against this both he is and all his adherents, in that he decreeth justification and salvation to be of works, and not of faith without works of the Law coming in as meritorious before God, and this he grew to after that hee was greatly inriched by Constantine the Great, abundance of worldly wealth breeding in him a thirst after more, and this thirst a device of the merit of good works done for the benefit of the Priest, as well as of the poor, yea rather for the Priests, as the Pharisees Matth. 15.Matt 15of old taught the people to say Corban, and so not to relieve their very parents being poor, because the Priest can offer the sacrifice of the masse for the benefit and good of his benefactours being dead.

As armes stood for Antiochus, that is warriours to destroy the poore Jews 3to wonderfull great numbers, as hath been before shewed, through an hatred in him conceived against them, so infinite numbers of poore Christians have been slain in all parts by secular Princes taking part with the Pope, and here Polanus reckoneth up as partakers with the Pope, Phocas before mentioned, Pelanus;and Pipin a murtherer of the French King Chilperick, Rudolphus Suevus a perjured person and rebel against his Lord, Henry the fourth, Henry the fifth, the murtherer of his Father Henry the fourth. Duke Albanus in Belgia, Henry the second, Francis the second, Charles the ninth, Henry the third, Kings of France, all abbettors of the Pope, in favour of him murthering many. In the tumults stirred up in Italy by Gregory the seventh, Paschalis the second, Innocent the third, and Gregory the ninth, and in Germany & France they were almost innumerable that perished, and by the instigation of Nicolas the third in great secrecie, all the French in Sicily were cut off in one day. And as Antiochus prophaned the Temple setting up the abomination making desolate, and causing the dayly sacrifice to cease, which God had ordained, and the Jews to transgress Gods Laws. So the Pope hath overthrown the true worship and service of God, and in stead thereof hath brought in abominable idolatry and superstition, turning the very hoast or offering of Christs body upon the Lords Table to be eaten to everlasting life, into an idol to be kneeled unto and adored, as the Son of God, vers. 31.

As Antiochus taught such as brake the Covenant to deal deceitfully, so the Pope V. 32.hath his agents, who are themselves corrupted with the poison of his doctrine, 4that are most cunning and subtle to draw others from the truth, and to propagate his superstition; of this sort there have been many in former times and ages, but of later dayes the Jesuites have been most notoriously pragmaticall. So that herein he appeareth to be the Antichrist, as Gregory p. 575the first noteth, because as Christ chose and sent out simple fishermen to propagate Gregor. Sicut Christus simplices & idiotas, elegit, sic antichristus astutos & duplices in fine mundi elig…. Greg. moral. l. 33 c. 23. Job 41. 14.Job 41:14his Gospell, so he sendeth out persons full of craft and subtlety to deceive. And both Antichrists working by the armes before spoken of, and the subtlety here spoken is further notably set forth by the same Gregory in his Morals upon Job, saying touching Leviathan, whom he makes a figure of Antichrist, in the circuit of his teeth there is feare, when the perverse powers of this world protect his preachers: For many of the mighty seek by raging to terrifie such as they seek by speaking to seduce what manner of time of persecution shall appeare then, when to pervert the piety of the faithful some shall rage with words and some with swords: For who although weak would not despise the teeth of Leviathan if the terrour of secular powers did not fence them about? But they are doubly assaulted, when that which is by some spoken with flattering words, is by others commanded with striking swords. Of this double way of Antichrists dealing Iohn Revel. 9. 19.Rev 9:19speaketh, saying, that the Locusts power was in their mouths and their tailes, their mouths setting forth his preachers, and their tailes with stings in them his secular powers. But whilest other by these two means are seduced, there are some that know God, who are strong and doe exploits; that is, both wi…e and made intelligent by the Word of God, and of such a strong Faith in Christ, that they most valiantly withstand Antichrist and his proceedings, wherein they also have successe by their christian courage and fortitude winning many more unto them, and discovering the Antichristian fallacies, a Catalogue of whom see in my English Catechism upon that Article of the Catholick Church.

But fiftly, as they that opposed Epiphanes were slain with the sword and flame vers. 33. so the opposers of Antichrist, as is notoriously known, especially in 5England in Q. Maries dayes suffered in the flames of fire, and by the sword and massacring sundry times in France, and noble exploits were done by the Bohemians under their Captain Zizka, as by the Jews under Judas Maccabeus and his brethren. But before I leave this of the Popes bloudy practises against men of understanding, who knew God, I think it not a misse to shew against what Emperours and Princes, who opposed his superstition, he hath raged at sundry times. Philip Bardanus Emperour, commanded all Images to be taken away out of Churches every where, and that by the consent of John, Patriarch Polanus.of Constantinople: But Constantine the Bishop of Rome for this excommunicated him for an heretick, and would not suffer any image of him to stand in any place, nor mention to be made of him in the masse, as was used formerly to be done. Leo the third going into Italy the tenth yeare of his reign, and finding images in Churches there and in Sicily caused them to be cast out and burnt: but Gregory the second being hereby inraged absolved his subjects from their obedience unto him, whereupon great troubles arose in Italy, wherein the Exarch of Ravenna was slain, and men denyed to the Emperour tributes and customes, and by Gregory the third he was deprived of his imperiall dignity. Constantine Copronymus his son persisting in his Fathers steps called a Councell at Constantinople of 330 Bishops, wherein Images were also condemned, and the calling upon the Virgin Mary and other like superstieions. But Steven the second Pope of Rome so raged against him for this, that he removed the Empire from Constantinople to France, and Hadrian the Pope wrought so with Irene the Empresse afterwards, who was a great patronesse of Images, that shee caused the body of Constantine to be taken up 23 yeares after his decease, and burnt openly, and the ashes thereof to be cast into the Sea in detestation of his fact.

Constantine the sixth, the son of the said Irene, put down Images again, which his mother had set up, but she therefore deprived him both of his sight and life. Henry the fourth of France, whilest he was a protestant, was opposed by six Popes one after another, Gregory the thirteenth, Ʋrbanus the seventh, Sixtus the fifth, Gregory the fourteenth, Innocent the ninth, Clement the eighth, til that he shamefully fell away to popery, whereof Clement the eighth triumphed. p. 576Queen Elizabeth was for the same excommunicated, but preserved either from falling or suffering. And James 6. King of Scotland had treasons for this wrought against him.

The Medicean Princes, as Volateranus saith, were assaulted, and one slain in the time of the Mass, by the instigation of the Pope. The Count of Thol…use had a great war made against him, by the Popes instigation, for detending the Albingenses, who stood against the doctrine of transubstantiation. John Frederick Duke of Saxony, and other Princes of Germany suffered by warre also of the Popes stirring up for religion, working in them an hatred of his evill wayes. Count Egmond, and Count Hornius of Belgia were hanged at the command of Duke Albanus for none other cause. These with divers others are brought by Polanus as examples of the destructions made by the Pope of Rome, who addeth also a Catalogue of learned men, who from time to time have opposed him in his superstitions, but many of them have suffered therefore, and herein lyeth the comfort of all such sufferers, they are thus only tryed and made white and shining in everlasting glory.

6. As they that were persecuted by Antiochus had a little help, yet many were destroyed, v. 34. so the persecuted by the Pope had some help by the Princes of Germany, who cleaved to Luther, by Bohemians, who stood to the doctrine of John Husse and Jerome of Prague, and fought in the defence thereof sometimes with good successe; and Edward 6. of England, although he continued but a short time; and the States of Holland by Queen Elizabeth against the persecuting Spaniard.

As Antiochus exalted himself above every god, and spake wonderfully above the god of gods, so the Pope takes upon him to command the Angels, who are oft called Gods, and preferreth himself above Emperours and Kings, who are also called Gods; as Innocent 3. who writing to the Emperour, said, as Gold excelleth Lead, so doth the Papal dignity the Imperiall; and as the Sun is the father and lord of all the planets, so the Pope of all worldly dignities; and as the Moone receiveth light from the Sun, so the Emperour his dignity from the Pope.

For his exalting himself above the God of gods, in Jure Canonico Pope Nicholas Jun. canon. dist. 96. c.writeth to Michael the Emperour thus, the most godly Emperour Constantine the great, called the Pope God, and if he be a God, surely no man or men can judge him. August. Steuchus the Popes Library keeper. Constantine adored the Steuchus de donatione Constantini.Pope as a god, when he set forth that famous decree of Donation, as the successour of Christ and Peter, and as much as in him lay, he gave him divine honour, and reverenced him as the lively Image of Christ. The Ordin. Gloss. of the Canon law, saith, Let it be thought hereticall to beleeve that our Lord God the Pope was not the Author of that Decretall, and that he could not determine as he did. And that this is not displeasing to the Pope, appears, because the same book being since printed again hath still the same passage, being reprinted under Gregory 13. who gave some authority to expunge, correct or alter what they thought fit. Baldus also calleth the Pope God in Lege ultima in Cod. and Decius in c. 1. de constitut. and Felinus Ludovicus Gomesius, said that he was quoddam numen visibilem deum prae se ferens, and he was the Master of his Chancery. When Sixtus 4. was to enter into Rome, there was arcus quidam triumphalis, a triumphant Arch set up, having this distich written upon it,

Oraclo vocis mundi moderaris habenas,

Et merito in terris diceris esse deus:

Thou rulest the reins of the world with the oracle of thy voice, and art worthily called a god upon earth. Frederick the second in his Epistle to Otto the Duke o… Ba…a…ia, saith, that man who is called the Pope, being increased in riches, thinketh, that it is lawfull for him to do what he lusteth, after the manner of Tyrants, to the great detriment of Christian piety, and as if he were God, he will give account of his actions to no man; he usurpeth that, which agreeth only to p. 577God, that he cannot erre, and most impudently and imperiously requireth to to be beleeved in all things.

Of his wonderfull speeches take also some examples: Boniface 8. said, we are not willing to neglect our own righteousnesse, or that of our spouse the Church, for the Church is the spouse of Christ alone, and he only is righteousnesse and no man. The same Boniface in a year of Jubilee anno 1300, having shewed himself one day in his Pontificall robes, the next day put on Imperiall, and so going out with a naked sword born before him, said, I am both the high Priest and the Emperour, and have both an earthly and heavenly Empire. Sixtus 5. upon Mat. 28. 18.Matt 28:18Christs Nativity day takes a sword, and to shew that he hath all power, begirteth some Prince therewith, abusing that saying of Christ, All power is given to me both in heaven and earth.

8. As Antiochus notwithstanding all his wickednesse prospered, untill the time of the indignation accomplished. v. 36. And the king of the South coming with a great Army against him, yet he shall prevail over Egypt, Ethiopia, and Lybia, and be more yet inriched by the spoils thereof, and of the glorious land, into which he shall come again, v. 40, 41, 42, 43. so the Pope of Rome prospered and increased in wealth wonderfully, obtaining by his agents, many famous victories. As over the Albingenses being 100000, being set upon and destroyed by no more then 8000 Catholicks, as Bellarmine relateth out of Bellarm. l. 4. de Eccl. c. 18.Sir 18Em. lius lib. 6. histor. Francorum. And in Helvetia anno 1531. five battles being tought b…twixt the Catholicks and the Evangelicks; the Catholicks, although fewer in number, every time prevailed, as Cochleus relateth touching the acts of Luther. Also Charls 5. obtained a great victory miraculously over the Lutherans in Germany, anno 1547. taking John Frederick Duke of Saxony prisoner, and the other Lutheran Princes that joined together against the Imperialists. In France also and Belgia they had the like successe at sundry times. For the wealth of the Pope, he hath so many wayes to rake money together by selling Bishopricks, and Benefices, pardons, toleration of Stews in Rome, Peter-pence out of England, felling Archbishops palls, &c. as that his Revenues are wonderfull great. And much more cometh in fines and mulcts, which he layeth upon offenders, as upon Henry 2. of England he laid a great mulct of money, for murthering Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury: Gregory 9. exacted of Frederick the Emperour, whom he had excommunicated, 100000 ounces of gold for his absolution. Alexander 7. suborned some to Onuphrius Guic…iard.poison the richest of his Clergy, amongst whom were some Cardinals, and then seised upon their goods, so saith Onuphrius. Alexander the 6. gathered great tributes of the Jews. John 22. dying, left in his treasury 25 millions of French golden duckets. Nicholas 9. gathered together out of the Province of one kingdom for indulgencies, in a short time, 100000 florens. The Senate of Paris in their demands made to Lodowick 11. certified him, that out of the whole kingdome of France there went yearly to the Pope, above 946 millions of pieces of gold. Alexander 4. saith Mat. Paris. rak't together at one pension 950000 marks, whereupon Abbas Ʋspergens. saith, Rejoice O our Abbas Ʋspergens.mother Rome, for the cataracts of Treasures are opened, and whole rivers of moneys runne …own to thee; rejoice for the iniquities of the sons of men, because that for them thou receivest a price.

Bellarmine from that which is said v. 36. and 37. beginneth arguments to prove, that the Pope was not prefigured by Antiochus, and therefore is not Antichrist, Bellarm. l. 3. de Pontific. Rom. c. 21.for he is well known to be a worshipper of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, here called the God of Gods, and the God of his Fathers. Answ. He doth indeed in shew, but in truth he denyeth him, and exalts himself above him, because he takes upon him above the holy word of God, that being thus preferred which cometh from him. For the Archbishop of Magunts having thus flattered the Pope; saying, All men do so reverence the Pope, the height of the Apostolicall seat, that they desire rather some Discipline of the holy canons and institution of the Christian Religion from his mouth then from the holy Jun. canon. cap. 40. distinct.pages and the Traditions of the Fathers; the Pope caused it to be inserted into the p. 578canon law. Moreover, what was by him said is put in practice, the Pope being bold to dispense with Gods laws, as with that against incestuous marriages; for Martin 5. allowed a mans marrying with his own sister, so saith Antoninus Florentinus in Sam. 3. and Nicholaus Boerius, and wherein he pleaseth he makes more laws then God hath made; as against the marriage of Priests, against eating some meats upon some dayes, &c.

Touching the Popes not caring for the God of his Fathers, such Fathers to him and to all Christian pastours were the Apostles and Apostolicall men, that lived nearest to their time; and for their God he careth not, that holdeth not to the same tenets which they received from the word of God. Now their tenets were, that the written Word is the only rule upon which to found our faith: so Irenaeus saith, we know by none other the disposition of Iren. l. 3. c. 1.our salvation, but by those, by whom we have received the Gospel, who wrote that which they first preached, and then delivered it in writing to be August. ad literas Petil. l. 3. c. 6.the foundation and pillar of our faith. Augustine, that which pertaineth to Christ, to his Church, or any other thing concerning our faith, or life; he that is to be preferred far before us, hath said, and so must we say, If an Angell from heaven preach any other things then that which ye have received out of the Gal. 1. 8.Gal 1:8Scriptures, Legall or Evangelicall, let him be accursed. Yea, Popes themselves in times past, have spoken also to the same effect; as Marcellinus, who saith, nothing else is to be delivered or taught, but what the Apostles have taught and delivered. Clemens saith, that a full and perfect rule is to be taken from the holy Scriptures, Distinct. c. 37. But now Apocryphals are by the Pope taken into the canon of faith, and the Scriptures are denied to be perfect. 2. That Scripture is best understood by Scripture, Clement also said, Distinct. 37. c. but now the Pope will have the sense taken from his mouth. 3. That to know the true sense of the Scripture we have recourse to the Hebrew for the Old Testament, and to the Greek for the New, Jur. canon. c. 6. Distinct. 9. But now by the Councel of Trent it is determined, that the Vulg. Lat. shall be held authenticall, and that none should either in teaching or disputing reject, but hold unto that. 4. That a man is justified by faith only, so Basil, that is a Bafil. de humilitate.full and perfect glorying in God, when no man boasteth of his own righteousnesse, but knows himself to want true righteousnesse, and that he is justified only by faith in Christ. Ambrose, a wicked man is justified by faith only; Jerome, God justifieth a man converted only by faith, not by works, which he hath Ambros. in Rom. 4.Rom 4not. But the Pope opposeth this and maintaineth, that justification is also by works, and by his indulgencies. 5. That the Sacraments of the New Testament are two only: so Justin Martyr, apol. 2. Tertull. l. 1. adversus Marcionem. Ambros. de Sacram. August. de doct. Christ. l. 3. c. 9. Bessarion a Cardinall, in lib. de sacram. Eucharistiae, but the Pope now holdeth 7 Sacraments, &c.

Touching the desire of women, which Antiochus is said not to have cared, herein the Pope is notorious, if by this desire we understand the desire of conjunction in marriage, for to this he is a great enemie both in Priests and religious persons, whom he maketh to vow a single life, and yet for the desire of women an other way, both he and his Clergy and Votaries are cryed out upon every where, as being for incontinencie most abominable.

9. As Antiochus set up another god in the place of the god of strengths, so the Pope the Virgin Mary and other Saints departed, to be prayed unto, dedicating the Temple of Pantheon in Rome unto them at the request of Phocas the Emperour, and appointing aday to be kept yearly in the honour of them all, called All Saints. For this was not done, till ann. 600. after Christ, but being done, all worship of the true God was turned into Superstition, for that internall of the heart to a spirit, an externall being set up of bowing the body to Images, calling with the mouth upon Saints departed, who know nothing of the heart, and outward pomp, and cost of gold, and silver bestowed upon Saints, Images, Churches, and Chappels, and histrionical gestures at severall festivals, and at masses, whereby in stead of Almighty God, another or many other gods and goddesses are set up, and abominable Idolatrie committed p. 579with them. Bellarmine excepteth against this, and saith, that by Mauzzim Antichrist himself is meant, for he maketh all men to worship him.

Sol. If so, hereby it is proved then that the Pope is Antichrist, because he maketh all men to worship and bow to him 3 times and then to kisse his toe, see Cerem. pontif. l 1. c. 3. Sect. 3.

Thus shal he doe in the most strong holds with a strange God, whom he shal acknowledge and increase with glory, and he shal cause them to rule over many and divide the Land for V. 39.gain: Vulg. Faciet ut muniat Maozim cum deo alieno, &c. & dividet terram gratuito. Expounded by Lyra of some secret place which Antichrist had, wherein he worshiped, and had conference and familiarity with the Devill, by whom Lyra.he sought to be defended. And he is said to be one, whom he knew, because he conversed so much with him. For those to whom he divided the land gratis, and to whom he gave dominion in many things, he understandeth by them such as were active for him, whom he preferred, and for this reason he denyeth Antiochus to be meant at all here, but only Antichrist, because he was cast out again from Egypt and other places, which he had subdued, and so had no land to divide unto them, that stood for his wayes, Hebr. He shal make in the strong holds of Mauzzim with a strange god: that is, he shall in the strong holds of the Almighty, comply with Jupiter Olympius, that is, in the house of God, which was as a strong hold for all those, that fled thither in time of danger to pray, as was shewed in the example of Hezekiah. Or he shall do sacrifice there according to the common use of the word foreign, and because that sacrificing was not to God, but to an Idol: he shall with that Idol there set up commit abomination, and this strange God is said to be a God, whom he acknowledgeth; and hath a mind to preferre alone in all his dominions. And this is spoken not without an elegant paranomasie, Hebr. foreign: And the word foreign doth most properly signifie in strong holds: So that these words are nothing else but an amplification of that, which was said, v. 38. being not to be rendred thus shall he doe, &c. but, And he shall do or sacrifice in the strong holds of Mauzzim, or the Almighty, with or by the strange god, before spoken of: of whom it was said before, that he should bestow gold and silver upon it to adorn and beautifie it; now having made it a compleat god, he should sacrifice unto it in the place where the true God only ought to be thus honoured. For the next words, he shall make them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain, Hebr. in many, or many things, and the last word is foreign signifying, not gratuito, but pretio, the meaning being them, of whom it is said, v. 32. that many should cleave to him by flattery: that is, in way of flattering him, seeking to promote his abominations, as the High-priest of the Jews and many other priests did for their own worldly gain and honour; he shall make Rulers in Judea dividing the dominion thereof amongst them, as a reward of their indeavours, as Antiochus Epiphanes did indeed.

10. And herein tenthly, the Pope of Rome was also figured out by him, for he likewise preferreth to Cardinalships, Archbishopricks, Bishopricks, and fat benefices, those that are most eminent for promoting the Catholick Cause, as it is called; as Bellarmine, who for this was made a Cardinal, and Campeius, and Baronius, and many more; whereas Bellarmine would from hence prove, Bellarm. l. 3. de Rom. Pontific. c. 21.that the Pope is not Antichrist, because many that do him greatest service, have gone all their life time unrewarded; as Ecchius, Goelaeus, Roffensis, Driedo, Tapperus, Petrus a Soto, &c.

I answer, from some particulars, no argument cannot be drawn, he preferred very many, some he passed over, therefore he is not the man here pointed at, for what is said more of him, but that he shall make them, not all and every of them, that flatter him, to rule. It may be these men, although they laboured greatly in promoting his superstition, would not come off, and give liberally for preferments, and therefore lay neglected, for it was an old saying, Romae omnia voenalia.

And at the end of the time the King of the South shall push at him, &c. This was p. 580V. 40.fulfilled thus. There were in Egypt two brothers, Ptolemie Philometor and Ptolemie Physcon, who contended about the kingdom; the younger brother Physcon with the elder, both Epiphanes his sisters children, but as she loved the one, that is, the younger, and hated the elder, from whence he had his name per antiphrasin Philometor, so did their uncle Epiphanes, and came with an army into 1 Mac. 5. Joseph. antiq. l. 12. c. 11.1 Macc 5Egypt to help Physcon against Philometor; at this, Philometer being exasperated, gathereth great Forces, and hastneth to goe against him, but is by Epiphanes overcome and expelled, and Physcon established, by which means he returned laden with great riches, not only gotten out of Egypt, but also out of Ethiopia and Lybia; and then he entered in his return into the glorious land, that is, into V. 41.Judea, taking spoils, wherein he had the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites assistant to him, and therefore it is said that they were spared. And this was the cause, why Judas Maccabaeus fought against these peoples, and subdued and destroyed many of them.

11. And herein he was eleventhly, a type of the Pope; for he likewise takes upon him to dispose of the kingdoms of the earth, giving them to whom he will, and disposing and putting down such as he pleased. He also cometh into the glorious land, that is, the Church of Christ by his Forces doing much mischief therein, and such as adhere to him, as the Emperour of Germany and the Spaniard escape his hands.

But tidings out of the East and North shall trouble him, therefore he shall go forth with V. 44.great fury to destroy: Hitherto the successe of Antiochus Epiphanes and his prevailings, now the time being come, which God had set to put an end to his rage, and to destroy him that destroyed so many, it is shewed, how this was brought about, first he suffered in his Dominions and Forces, the Persians and Parthians in the North fell from him and invaded some parts of his kingdom; and Judas Maccabaeus and his brethren in the East fought and prevailed against his Captains, which were sent to subdue them. The rumour of these things coming to his ears inraged him against the Jews especially, so that in his rage he uttered most cruel threatnings, and hastened to be revenged, as is shewed, 1 Macc. 3. c. 6. 2 Macc. 9. and by Josephus. But God immediately took revenge upon him, smiting him with an incureable disease in his body, and with Joseph. antiq. l. 12. c. 121.intolerable torments, so that he came to a sight and sense of the abominations which he had done, and of his blasphemies and murthers, of which he repented, as Judas, but could find no mercy, and so he miserably dyed, even when he was hastening to Jerusalem to make it as he said, a common burying place, according to which it is said, v. 45. He shall plant the Tabernacles of his palace V. 45.between the Seas, and the glorious holy Mountain, yet he shall come to his end and none shal help him: the Vulg. retaineth the Hebrew word Apadno, for in stead of these words, of his palace, taking it for a proper name, which Cornelius a Lapide saith, is not now so called, but shall be in the dayes of the Antichrist, from that which shall then be done; as also a place of fighting a great battell in Revel. 16. called Harmageddon: But forsomuch as this is but conjecturall, and to hold the Antichrist yet to come is a mistake, there is no reason to take Apadno for any other, then as the word signifieth, his palace: He shal place the tabernacles of his palace between the Seas in the glorious holy mountain, and go even to his end; for so it is word for word Hebr. and the meaning is, that he shall be warring against Judea and Jerusalem, even to the end of his life, as the History sheweth, that he was; for tabernacles or tents are used in warre, and Kings tabernacles were more stately made then others, like palaces: wherefore this is a periphrasis of his preparation for war, hearing what Judas Maccabaeus had done against his command and captains, he prepared to goe in person, against whose coming without doubt these palace-like tents were made, although he lived not to come unto them, but fell sick by the way and dyed, which is intimated in saying, and go even to his end; for he intended to go to destroy the Jewes, but he went indeed to his end, his death, as God had decreed, and therefore vow and promise now to god what he could, he could obtain no help at his hands, but was suffered to lye in his torments and so to expire in p. 581extream misery. And for the describing of the holy Mountain as lying between the Seas, it is so said to do, because betwixt the dead Sea of Sodom, and the Mediterranean. Some there are, that by reason of this circumstance, say that not Judea, but Persia is here meant between Euphrates and Tygris, but he saith not Rivers but Seas, and in the glorious holy Mountain, so as no country in the world is called, but in Judea and Jerusalem alone.

12. Now to apply this also as a twelfth and last thing to the Pope; he hearing of the overthrow of his Forces in Bohemia and in Belgia, and other places long agoe, was wonderfull stricken, and at the news of England, Scotland, Denmark, Suevia, &c. falling from him, and expelling his creatures the Monks and Fryers.

2. He not only was stricken at this newes, but sends out his thunderbolts of excommunication against all the Princes that favoured the reformation, adjudging them therefore to cruell destruction, as against Queen Elizabeth of England in particular, and the Duke of Saxony, to whom he threatned both the Apostolicall and the Caesarean sword.

3. He fixeth the tents of his palace betwixt two Seas the Tyrrhene and … driaticall, and that in the glorious holy Mountain, that is, the Church of Christ, as S. Paul prophesied, that Antichrist should sit in the Temple or 2 Thess. 2.2 Thess 2Church of God.

Lastly, many Popes have come to miserable ends already, and it is not to be doubted, but that the last shall dye likewise at the time by God appointed, and then there shall been end put to his antichristian tyranny, as there was to that of Antiochus, after he had reigned 12 years, as I have shewed in my Continuation of the History before mentioned, in three and an half of which, he raged most against the Jews and their religion, but destroyed thousands of them two years before that.

For the Popes that dyed miserably, Polanus makes a catalogue of them thus, Polanus. Fasciculus temporum.Sabinianus had a vision of Gregory 1. appearing to him, and threatning him with death, because he decreed to burn his books; with this he being terrified, soon after dyed. Boniface 3. who obtained with great cost and infamy of Phocas the principality of the Church of Rome, lived solitarily and pensively after this, and before the end of one year dyed miserably. Leo 3. being taken and beaten by the people of Rome rising against him, stole away into France, but through vexation of his disgrace and wearinesse of his long travell, coming thither he soon dyed, when he had setten but 20 months. Lande was strangled by him, that was afterwards John 11. Silvester 13. a Necromancer, was torn in pieces and carryed Naucler.away by the Devill, when he was saying Masse. John 13. was thrust through being taken in adultery. John 15. had his eyes put out by Boniface 7. and after this was famished to death in the Castle of S. Angelo. Boniface 7. dyed suddenly after he had a little while been in his pontificality, then he was drawn about the streets of Rome by horses, and pierced with spears by the Citizens. Fasciculus temporum.Benedict 5. and Benedict 6. were both strangled. Sixe Popes were by Hildebrand taken away by poison to make way for himself to the Popedome. Gregory 7. who was against Henry 4. was by him taken and deposed, and banished into a barren part of Apulia, dyed there in great disgrace and hatred of all men. Victor 3. was poisoned by a sub-deacon in taking the Masse. Paschalis 2 also, Adrian 4. Gregory 9. Boniface 8. Paul 2. Clement 5. Alexander 6. Leo 10. Paul 3. Julius 3. Pius 5. Ʋrbanus 7. Gregory 14. and Innocent 9. came to evil ends.

Now having seen the Image of Antiochus in the Pope, in all his lineaments and parts, who can doubt, but that he is the Antichrist whom the Lord figured out by him, and therefore so punctually and fully setteth him forth more then any other Syrian King? If it be objected, Antiochus was a King and therefore no fit type of the Pope no King, but a Bishop. Sol. The Pope wants nothing but the name of a King, being indeed greater and of more power then any King, and the Antichrist by the consent of all men is set forth by a woman, a whore Revel. 17. although he be a man. Object. 2. Antiochus was but p. 582one man, and his time of raging against the Church but short, only a certain number of days. Sol. It is Daniels manner, or the angels rather, that talked with Daniel, by dayes to set forth years, as chap. 9. by 70 weekes so many times 7 yeares, and therefore the dayes of Antiochus Epiphanes▪ his rage may well set forth in his antitype Antichrist so many years. Now one question onelyonly remaineth which may be moved about subjects rising in armes against their Soveraign being a tyrant, because Mattathias and his sons did thus, and this was one of the rumours, that troubled Antiochus the King, and these are numbred amongst the faithfull and their exploits, commended Heb. 11. and therefore their taking of armes to deliver themselves and the house of God from tyranny justified. Ans. Although Antiochus were their king, yet he did clean contrary to the office of a King, at his first coming amongst the Jewes without any cause murthering so many thousands, then taking upon him above God, and altering his Laws, and prophaning his Temple. And this is seldome the case of any people in respect of their King, and therefore this can be no ground for subjects to arm against their king, unlesse their case be in every respect like this of the Jews in the time of this tyrant. Polanus Polanus.holdeth, that if the King be a tyrant they may by inferiour Magistrates bearmed to defend themselves against him, but neither he nor Pareus, that held the same, nor any other of the reformed Religion ever held it justifiable to proceed so farre in opposing the Kings tyranny, as for this condemne and cut him off, as another man, a murtherer, or otherwise guilty of capitall offences.

Lastly, in this whole prophesie touching Antiochus men like unto him are pointed at, and their destiny is read, if any man by flattery and deceitfull Note. means cometh to power, or having attained power is unsatiable through the ambitiousnesse of his minde, or abuseth his power against the servants of God, the worship or house of God, to cruelty or rapine, or to the altering of good laws grounded upon the Law of God, or to be lifted up in pride, let him think, that he is in Antiochus threatned with a miserable end. His rise out of the dust to sit with Princes, his good successe in all his undertakings, and the increase of his wealth and Dominion, if he bee such an one, are no arguments of Gods favour towards him, but a lifting of him up as it were, for a time on high, that he might take the greater fall, the fatting of him up, that his body being filled with ill humours may break out into diseases most tormenting and incureable, and the using of him but as a rod in his indignation to chastise his people provoking him to anger, being afterwards to be cast into the fire. The time shall certainly come when the good successe of such shall be turned into evill, and joy for overcoming into sorrow for being overcome, and his greater forces being shamefully beaten and put to flight before lesser. He that is wise will consider this, and not argue from his successe in an unwarranted way time after time, that his cause is good, and it shall never happen otherwise unto him, but measure the goodnesse of his cause by the true rule of the Word, which only can justifie their actions, and not either their good intentions or successe in their undertakings.