Visions and Prophecies of Daniel Expounded, Prophecy 5 · Part 1 – Part 2
The deſcription of Chriſt or Michael, Verſ. 5, &c.
Firſt, he is called one man, in relation to the other that appeared after ward.
¶ Glothed in linen] To note his righteouſneſſe, wherewith he clotheth his Saints by imputation and ſanctiflcation.
¶ Whoſe loyns were girded with fine gold of Uphaz] Apo. 3.18.An embleme of the righteouſneſſe of his will and actions: For righteouſneſſe is the girdle of his loyns, Iſa. 11.5. It is reſembled by a girdle of fine gold, to note the purity and worth thereof. See the parallel, Apoc. 1.
¶ His body alſo was like the Cryſolite] To note his power to purge the Church by his Word, Spirit and Judgements, as by the water of the Sea. For the Cryſolite is of the colour of the Sea. See Ezek. 1.4. Apoc. 10.1. and 4.3. and 15.2.
¶ And his face as the appearance of lightning] To note his omnipreſence, terrible to ſinners, ſuddenly diſcovering all ſins, though never ſo remote, Pſal. 90.8. Ezek. 1.13.
¶ And his eyes as lamps of fire] To note his omniſcience, diſcovering all things, though never ſo dark and ſecret; and with wrath and intention of revenge, Jer. 32.19.
¶ And his arms and his feet like in colour to poliſhed Braſſe] Dan. 2.39. Zech. 6.1. & 14.3, 4. Iſai. 51.9.To note his omnipotency in the execution of his wrath. The Braſſe is fine or poliſhed, to note the purity and evidence of his Judgements, appearing coming before they come, or in coming, by glancing in the word and ſignes forerunning.
¶ And the voice of his words as the voice of a multitude] To note the threatnings and terrours appearing in the preparations and foreranners of the Judgements irreſiſtibly enſuing, Iſai. 30.27, 28.
Thus far of the deſcription of the Son of God, concerning which, ſee more fully in that parallel deſcription, Apoc. 1.
The deſcription of the Angel Gabriel, Verſ. 10, &c.
¶ And behold, an hand touched me] That is, the hand of another from the firſt, and of the Angel Gabriel, ſent by Michael, who was Chriſt the man clothed in linen, Chap. 12.1. Apoc. 12.7.
1. Becauſe the former ſeemeth to be called One in relation to this other following, Verſ. 5.
2. It is the uſe of Chriſt to ſignifie Prophecies by his Angel, Apoc. 1.1, 2; and this Angel is accordingly ſtrengthned by Michael, Chap. 10.21.
3. the former Angel is Chriſt or Michael, as appeareth by comparing the deſcription with that Apoc. 1: but this Angel is diſtinguiſhed from Michael, Verſe 13, 21. Chap. 12.5, 6.
4. The former Angel is conſtantly ſtyled by the man clothed in linen, Verſe 5. Chap. 12.5, 6, 7. This, by the title of one like the appearance of a man, Verſe 16, 18.
5. The former ſtood upon the waters of the River, Verſe 4. Chap. 12.6, 7. This, upon the land, coming neer and touching the Prophet with his hand, Verſe 10.
6. If this Angel were the ſame with the former, it would be ſaid his hand touched, not a hand.
7. I prove that the Angel here ſpoken of is not the ſame with him before, but another from the former; Chriſt the former, Gabriel the later. And this I prove by a parallel deſcription, Chap. 8. There, the voyce of a man is heard upon the River, ſaying, Gabriel, cauſe this man to underſtand, Chap. 1.16. So here, Chriſt, the man clothed in linen, ſtandeth on the waters of the River, as Governour of all Nations, Tongues and People, Apo. 17.2, 15, and from the water ſpeaketh, Dan. 12.6, 7, and uttereth the voice of his words, Chap. 10.9: what theſe words were, is not here expreſſed; but by comparing, they may be gathered to be the ſame with thoſe, Chap. 8.16, bidding Gabriel to draw neer and ſpeak unto the Prophet. Hereupon an hand did touch him, that is, the hand of Gabriel ſent unto him. And proportionately Gabriel being bidden, Chap. 8.16, 17, 18, 19, came neer, ſtood before him, in the form of a man, touched him, ſpake unto him, ſtrengthned him. So here, he ſtood before him, Verſe 16, and in the ſimilitude of a man, Verſe 16, 18; touched him, Verſe 10, 16, 18; ſpake unto him, and ſtrengthned him, and ſhewed him that he was ſtrengthned by Michael, for the revealing of the myſteries enſuing, Verſe 21. This Michael is Chriſt, as hath been ſaid, the ſame with the man clothed in linen, Verſe 5, as whoſe deſcription there argueth him to be by the parallel deſcription, Apoc. 1: he is Prince of the holy people, Chap. 12.1. and 8.11; one of the chief Princes, Chap. 10.13. foreign, of the highest ones, Chap. 7.22.
Daniel, in the repreſentation of this Viſion, ſeemeth to typifie the Waldenſian and Proteſtant Saints of the laſt time, the Witneſſes of Truth, to whom alone it was to be revealed in reſpect of meaning, as to Daniel in reſpect of ſignes and words, Chap. 12.4, and whom in ſpecial it concerned, as principally diſcovering the myſtery of Antichriſt.
1. Daniel, before the Viſion is revealed unto him, for the ſpace of three weeks of days, that is, One and twenty days, mourneth, and expreſſeth mourning by faring hardly and not anointing himſelf, Chap. 10.2, 3, 8. So the Witneſſes of Truth are deſcribed propheſying and clothed in ſackcloth, as mourning for the abominations of the Chriſtian Church degenerated, Apoc. 11.3. Ezek. 9.4. Obſerve that the three weeks of days are thoſe One and twenty days mentioned by the Angel, Verſe 13, during which time he was reſtrained from coming unto Daniel, as being employed about the Prince of Perſia; at the end of which days, Michael came and ſent him unto Daniel, to ſignifie this Viſion unto him.
2. Daniel ſeeth the Viſion alone, not the men with him, Verſe 7. Alſo the faithful Witneſſes of Truth onelyonly perceive the myſtery of Antichriſt; the reſt of the Chriſtian profeſſion are blinded, Iſa. 6.10.
3. Chriſt ſpeaking, a great fear falleth on his companions, and they fled to hide themſelves, Verſ. 7, which may ſignifie a ſpiritual bondage in the part unconverted, whoſe eye is not opened to ſee; which driveth them not to ſufficient Repentance, but to hide themſelves under the fig-leaves of ſuperſtitious and uneffectual remedies.
4. At the revealing of this Viſion, Daniel hath no ſtrength left in him, his vigour turned into corruption, retaineth no ſtrength, falleth into a deep ſleep, his face upon the ground, Verſ. 8.9, 10; which ſeemeth to prefigure the extreme and deadly condition, whereof the Church is ſenſible, upon the firſt diſcovery of Antichriſtianiſm, Gen. 15.12.
5. Daniel is raiſed, not at once, but by four degrees. 1. He is ſet up on his knees and palms of his hands, Verſ. 10, an embleme of prayer. 2. He is cauſed to ſtand upon his feet, though trembling and ſilent, Verſe 11, 15. 3. His mouth is opened to ſpeak, though not without much weakneſſe, fears and ſorrows, Verſe 17. 4. He is fully ſtrengthned, Verſ. 19. Accordingly the Witneſſes of Truth were raiſed. The firſt degree, in the Waldenſes, from after the yeer 1160. The ſecond degree, in Wickliff, John Hus and Ziſca, from about the yeer 1370 and 1400. The third degree, in Luther and Zuinglius and their followers, from after the yeer 1517. The fourth degree is to be expected after the three days and half, when the Witneſſes of Truth ſhall be fully ſtrengthned.
An Explication of Dan. 11. Verſ. 1.
¶ ALſo I] Gabriel the Angel ſpeaketh, ſent by the man clothed in linen, who is Chriſt, Chap. 10.9, 10.
¶ In the firſt yeer of Darius the Mede, even I ſtood to confirm him and to ſtrengthen him] Darius was the leſſer horn, that roſe firſt, at the fall of the Monarchy of Babylon, Chap. 8.2, 3.
Sect. 1. The Perſian Monarchy, Verſ. 2.
¶ ANd now I will ſhew thee the truth. Behold, there ſhall ſtand up three kings in Perſia] That is, after Darius the Mede, mentioned in the former Verſe: and theſe are Cyrus, Cambyſes, and Darius ſon of Hiſtaſpes.
¶ And the fourth] That is, Xerxes next following.
¶ Shall be far richer then they all] For Xerxes, beſides that which he gathered himſelf, received alſo thoſe unmeaſurable riches which by his father Darius had been gathered out of all the Eaſt, and prepared for the Grecian War.
¶ And when he ſhall be ſtrengthened by his riches, he ſhall ſtir up all againſt the realm of Grecia] For by the ſinews of his riches, he moved a great War againſt the Grecians; and thereunto ſtirred up all the men of the Eaſt, of whom he had about Four and twenty hundred thouſand, beſides the Attendants, that would duplicate the number. Theſe he ſtirred up himſelf and his ſucceſſors, to whom he left this War hereditary, until the ruine of the Perſian Kingdom. The other Perſian Kings after Xerxes, are not here expreſſed, a tranſition following to the Grecians, becauſe in Xerxes the Perſians fall began, and the riſing of the Grecians, toward the Monarchical ſucceſſion.
Sect. 2. The Grecian kingdom, Verſ. 3.
¶ BUt a mighty king ſhall ſtand up] This is Alexander the Great, the founder of the Grecian kingdom.
¶ That ſhall rule with great dominion] For having conquered the Perſians, he proceeded further, and ſubdued alſo the Hircanians, Mardians, Parthians, Indians, and ſo ſubjected to himſelf the whole Eaſt.
¶ And ſhall do according to his will] Whereby is noted continuation of Victories and power irreſiſtible, and ſo it is applied to the Perſian Monarchy, Chap. 8.4, to the Iron Romane Monarchy, Chap. 11.16, and to Antichriſt, Chap. 11.36.
Verſ. 4. ¶ And when he ſhall ſtand up] Whereby is noted the ſuddenneſſe of his fall. For aſſoon as ever he came to the higheſt, he died.
¶ His kingdom ſhall be broken] Broken, before divided into four. For at firſt twelve of Alexanders Princes promiſcuouſly brake his kingdom into many pieces, unill eleven yeers after his death, his kingdom became quadripartite.
¶ And ſhall be divided toward the four windes of heaven] For then, toward the South, Ptolomeus the ſon of Lagus reigned in Egypt. Toward the Weſt, Philippus Arideus brother to Alexander, in Macedonia. Toward the Eaſt, Seleucus Nicanor, in Syria, Babylon, and the upper places. Toward the North, Antigonus, in Aſia, Pontus, and the other Provinces in that coaſt.
¶ And not to his poſterity] For all Alexanders Family was ſlain.
¶ Nor according to his dominion which he ruled] For his ſucceſſors were inferiour in extent and power, Chap. 8.22.
for his kingdom ſhall be pluckt up] That is, diſſolved, divided, by Alexanders twelve Princes, at laſt to be ſetled upon four.
even for others alſo beſides thoſe] For others beſides his poſterity, the four Succeſſors, and for others alſo beſide the four, the Romans; as it is declared in the proceſſe of the Prophecy.
Sect. 3. The Expoſition of Verſ. 5, 6.
VErſ. 5. And the King of the South] That is, the whole family, line, and race, of the Lagidae in Egypt, whereof Ptolemaeus the ſon of Lagus was the firſt King.
ſhall be ſtrong] Among the four Succeſſours of Alexander ſhall be eminently ſtrong, as it appeareth by their power and victories deſcribed in the Chapter following.
and one of his Princes] That is, one of Alexanders Princes ſhall alſo be ſtrong among the four: And this was the houſe and line of the Seleucidae in Syria, of whom Seleucus Nicanor was the firſt.
and he ſhall be ſtrong above him] That is, the houſe of the Seleucidae in Syria ſhall be ſtronger then the houſe of the Lagidae in Egypt. Graſ. de Antic. p. 69.For the Lagidae were commonly more weak and ſlothful: and the dominion alſo of the Seleucidae was much larger, as it is in the words following.
and have dominion: his dominion ſhall be a great dominion.] For the Seleucidae did poſſeſſe Babylon, Syria, and part of Aſia.
Verſ. 6. And in the end of the yeers they ſhall be joyned together] For after long wars Ptolemaeus King of Egypt being weary, endeavoured reconciliation.
for the Kings daughter of the South] Berenice the daughter of Ptolemaeus Philadelphus.
ſhall come to the King of the North to make an agreement] That is, ſhall come to Antiochus Theos King of Syria, to make agreement by marriage.
but ſhe ſhall not retain the power of the arm] For quickly was Berenice deprived of the ſtate of a Queen, and of her life.
neither ſhall he continue] To wit, Antiochus Theos the husband of Berenice, being cut off by the acts of Laodice.
nor his arm] Which may be the Prince, as yet a Boy, which he had by Berenice. For after the death of Antiochus Theos, Seleucus Callinicus being Succeſſour, killed both Berenice and her ſon alſo.
and ſhe ſhall be given up] To wit, Berenice.
and they that brought her] For Seleucus Callinicus ſlew Berenice together with the company that was with her.
and he that begat her] For her father Ptolemaeus Philadelphus alſo died.
and he that ſtrengthned her] Her husband Antiochus. Or happily it is an adjunct of her father.
in theſe times.] So the reconciliation was diſſolved.
Verſ. 7. But out of a branch of her root ſhall one ſtand up in his estate] That is, one of the ſtock of Berenice, which ſucceeded into the Kingdom of Egypt after the death of Ptelomaus Philadelphus; to wit, Ptolemaeus Euergetes, the third King of the family of the Lagidae.
which ſhall come with an army, and ſhall enter into the fortreſſe of the King of the North] For Ptolemaus Euergetes came with a great army into Syria againſt Seleucus Callinicus then King of the North, to avenge the death of his ſiſter Berenice.
and ſhall deal againſt them, and prevail.] For he ſubdued Syria, took Cilicia, and the upper parts beyond Euphrates, and almoſt all Aſia. Jerom.
Verſ. 8. And ſhall alſo carry captive into Egypt, their gods with their Princes] foreign ſignifieth their Princes, but according to another reading, as if it were foreign, it is tranſlated, their molten Images.
with their precious veſsels of ſilver and of gold] For Euergetes underſtanding that ſedition was moved in Egypt, ſpoiling the Kingdom of Seleucus, carried away fourty thouſand Talents of ſilver and precious veſſels, and two thouſand and five hundred Images of their gods.
and he ſhall continue more yeers then the King of the North] For the Kingdom of the Seleucidae was ſubdued to the Romans, about thirty five yeers before the Lagidae of the South did fall in Cleapatra.
Verſ. 9. So the King of the South ſhall come into his kingdom, and ſhall return into his own land.] That is, into Egypt, he himſelf obtaining Syria, and delivering Cilicia to be governed by his friend Antiochus, and the Provinces beyond Euphrates to Xantippus another Captain.
Verſ. 10. But his ſons] That is, the ſons of Seleucus Callinicus, the King of the North, which were Seleucus Cetaunus, and Antiochus Magnus.
ſhall be ſtirred up] By reaſon of Syria taken from their father.
and ſhall aſſemble a multitude of great forces] That is, ſeventy thouſand footmen and fifty thouſand horſemen, Polyb. lib. 5.
and one ſhall certainly come] He ſaith in the ſingular number, one ſhall come, and not they, becauſe in the very expedition, Ceraunus was ſlain by Nicanor: So that Antiochus Magnus came alone with his army into Syria.
and ſhall overflow and paſſe thorow] By coming he ſhall come, overflow, paſſe thorow, are phraſes noting his celerity, diligence, induſtry, multitude, and ſtrength of forces, in his expedition. He came thus againſt Philopator the King of the South, Son and Succeſſour to Euergetes. He oppreſſed (ſaith Juſtine) many of Philopators Citles with a ſudden war, ſo that he ſubdued Syria.
and he ſhall return] That is, into the Countreys taken from his father.
and he ſhall be ſtirred up even to his fortreſſe] That is, even to the fortreſſe of Philopator; for Antiochus came down with his army, even to the moſt fortified City Raphia, which lieth (as Jerome ſaith) in the entrances of Egypt, and there encamped.
Verſ. 11. And the King of the South ſhall be moved with choler] That is, Philopator King of Egypt ſhall be incenſed for the loſſe of Syria, and for the preſent danger of loſing Egypt.
and ſhall come forth and fight with him, even with the King of the North] That is, with Antiochus Magnus at the City Raphia.
and he ſhall ſet forth a great multitude] For Philopator ſet forth ſixty and two thouſand footmen and ſix thouſand horſemen, Pauſ. l. 5.
and the multitude ſhall be given into his hand] That is, Antiochus his multitude ſhall be given into the hands of Philopator; which being overthrown and put to flight, Antiochus flying by the deſerts, ſearce eſcaped with life.
Verſ. 12. And the multitude ſhall be lifted up, and their heart exalted] So I tranſlate, ſee Verſ. 12. Iſai. 2.14. and 6.1. and 2.13, 14. foreign and foreign are Synonyma. The ſenſe is, that Philopator and his army ſhould be proud of the victory over Antiochus.
and he ſhall caſt down thouſands] That is, the great multitude of Antiochus.
but he ſhall not be ſtrengthned thereby] For the King of Egypt did not make uſe of this victory, to ſtrengthen himſelf thereby. For Philopator (ſaith Juſtine) making peace greedily, took up the occaſion of eaſe, falling back into his luxury.
Verſ. 13. And the King of the North ſhall return] For Antiochus after Philopators death, reſtored wars againſt his Son, and Succeſſour, Ptolemaeus Epiphaues.
and ſhall ſet forth a multitude greater then the former] For he gathered an uncredible army out of the upper parts of Babylon. Jerome. And not onelyonly ſo, but in ſundry expeditions.
and in the end of times and the yeers] A fatal period of yeers, as Verſ. 6. The times of the inundation of the Romans over Macedonia, and Aſia, to the mountain Taurus, and fatal declining of the Seleucidae.
by coming he ſhall come] That is, ſwiftly, ſuddenly, with hopes of overflowing.
with a great army, and with much riches] Firſt, Antiochus overflowed into Syria and Judea, then againſt the Romans alſo, with three hundred thouſand footmen, and ſo many more of horſemen. An army moſt rich in Gold, Silver, Purple, Silkes, Ivory, as Florus and Gellius do teſtifie. Flor. lib cap. 8. Gollius At. l. 5. c.See a great army and much riches. It is onelyonly ſaid, by coming he ſhall come with theſe armies, no victory expreſſed: to note rather a threatning of inundation, then ſucceſſe. His crackling fire of Thorns was ſoon extinguiſhed. The Macedonian Horn was cut off, and Aſia by the Romans, even unto Taurus, in this fatal end or period of times and yeers, as it is before expreſſed. And now the Romans having ſubdued the North of the Greek Empire, muſt be the King of the North in the Verſes following.
And it is proprotionately convenient, that as the Perſian Kings are not mentioned after Xerxes, Verſ. 2, 3. Becauſe under him the Greek Empire began to riſe; ſo after Antiochus Magnus the Seleucidae ſhould nor be deſcribed, becauſe under him the Roman power began to riſe upon this Kingdom.
Sect. 4. Of the Roman Kingdom. The firſt and Heathen State thereof. From Verſe 14. to the 20.
The controverſal part.
THe common and received opinion is, That the Grecian Kings are not broken off at the 14. Verſe, but their Hiſtory continued in the Verſes following. And that they are continued to Verſe 36. all Authours that ever I ſaw, do with one conſent, without ſcruple affirm. And from the 36. Verſe alſo to the end, ſome extend their deſcription: Others ſay, the Roman Emperours do there ſucceed; others, the Pope of Rome. For the honour of Chriſt and of this Prophecy; for the farther revelation of Antichriſt, and confirmation of the Saints, I am forced here to leave the common opinion: From which I have not wilfully and raſhly and unreaſonably departed, but upon much ſtudy and weighing of Arguments.
And firſt I think, that the deſcription of the Emperours of Rome begins at the 14. Verſe, reaching to the 20. which I prove by theſe Arguments.
Firſt, becauſe Amiochus Magnus was immediately ſpoken of before, and his Hiſtory deſcribed: in whoſe time the Roman Kingdom overflowed to the Mountain Taurus. Hence I frame an Argument by congruous proportion. For if Xerxes is the laſt Perſian King mentioned, Verſe 3. becauſe he occaſioned the firſt entrance to the riſing of the next Monarchy, although ſundry other Perſian Kings came after him. Why may not Antiochus Magnus be the laſt montioned of the Grecian Kings of the North, becauſe he occaſioned the riſing of the next Monarchy, even to the overflowing of the Northern parts of the Kingdom of Graecia? And now the Roman Captain having overflowed the North, and being now made by Conqueſts King of the North, who but he in the next Verſes following ſhould be King of the North? Beſides there is no cauſe to pretend an abrupt introduction of a new King of the North; for he is brought in with a fair tranſition thus: At that time many ſhall ſtand up againſt the K. of the South, a time deſcribed to be foreign the end of times, yeers: A phraſe arguing a fatal time of change and alteration, Verſe 13.
Secondly, Becauſe the paſſages in the Verſes following, will not in any propriety agree to the Lagidae and Seleucidae. And in particular it cannot be ſhewed according to Verſe 14. how many ſtood up againſt the King of the South in Antiochus the Great, otherwiſe then before. Some affirm it is ſo ſaid, becauſe Philip King of Macedon made a Covenant with Antiochus: But he was not able to defend himſelf againſt the Romans: And moreover the Prophet ſpeaketh of ſuch a ſtanding up of many, as was ſucceſſeful to the overthrowing of the South, Judea firſt, and afterwards of Egypt. Others affirm it is ſo ſaid, becauſe the Jews did joyn themſelves to the ſuccour of Antiochus, Joſeph. Anti. lib. 12. cap. 3. But Joſephus there affirmeth, that Judea was variouſly caught up, ſometimes for the one ſide ſometimes for the other. Beſides it is againſt Judea, and againſt the Jews, and the Egyptians, againſt whom many are affirmed to ſtand up, Verſe 15, 16, 17.
Thirdly, How ſhall that be verified of the time of Antiochus the Great, that the robbers of the Jews did ſtand up to eſtabliſh the Viſion, but fell? What were theſe robbers? What is the Viſion which they did eſtabliſh? How did they fall in the time of Antiochus? Some ſay, they were thoſe that followed Onias into Egypt to build a Temple there, Joſ. Ant. l. 13. c. 6. de bello. Jud. l. 7. c. 30.to eſtabliſh that Prophecy which is written, Iſai. 19.19. But how were theſe robbers? How was this done in the dayes of Antiochus Magnus, which Joſephus affirmeth to have been done in the dayes of Ptolemaeus Philometer after him … And how did they fall in the time of Antiochus; foraſmuch as this wickedneſſe of the Jews was not puniſhed until two hundred and fifty yeers after? Bulling. in Dan. 11.14.Others ſay, that theſe robbers are thoſe Jews which Antiochus took off. I finde no Hiſtory ſhewing ſuch a kinde of ſuch Jews, as is here ſpoken off, and at this time. Junius. Rolloc. Piſcator.But how to eſtabliſh the Viſion? That is, they ſay to verifie this preſent Viſion, that prophecieth thereof. But ſo theſe words might have equally been affixed to any other part of this or other Prophecies. For all are indifferently written to be verified. Beſides an end ſo common and general, ſeemeth not needful to have been mentioned, eſpecially in ſuch a Prophecy ſo admirably compacted of the chief heads of ſubſtantial events. Junius turneth the word foreign to another and ſtrange ſenſe: as if it ſhould ſignifie to make the Viſion to ſtand, that is, to hinder it. For which Interpretation of the Hebrew phraſe, I ſee no probability in reſpect of the circumſtances of this place.
Fourthly, I finde not in Hiſtory ſuch a deſtruction of the Jews to have been made by Antiochus Magnus, as is here imported in theſe words, but they ſhall fall, Verſe 14, and Verſe 16. he ſhall ſtand in the pleaſant land, which by his hand ſhall be conſumed. For this is the proper and ordinary ſenſe of foreign as appeareth Dan. 9.27. and 11.36. Beſides, the Jews voluntarily yeilded themſelves unto Antiochus, and therefore he proſecuted them with great favours and liberty of Religion: Joſ. Ant. fid. l. 12. c. 3.So far was he from cauſing them to fall by utter ruine, as the word doth ſignifie, Iſai. 8.15. or from conſuming them by utter deſtruction. Concerning this Antiochus, Perer. in Dan. 8.obſerve the words of Pererius, utterly overthrowing the foreſaid Expoſition. Antiochus Magnus (ſaith he) never hated or perſecuted the Jews, never uſed them uncourteouſly, afflicted them not with any deſtruction or calamity.
Fifthly, So great a preparation, ſuch ſieges, ſuch hoſtile wars againſt the Jews and Judea, as are deſcribed, Verſ. 15, 16. are not appliable to Antiochus Magnus, to whom the Jews did voluntarily yeeld themſelves, as to a kinde and courteous Governour and Protectour of them. Neither ſuch a power is competible unto him, as is altogether irreſiſtible, propoſed in ſuch phraſes, Verſe 15, 16. as are given to irreſiſtible Conquerours: As to Cyrus, Chap. 8.4. to Alexander, Chap. 11.4. to Antichriſt, Chap. 11.36. For Antiochus got and loſt, got and loſt, by courſe: Neither like a floud did he over-run the Dominions of the King of the South, but ſome parts onelyonly. The phraſes here propoſed, ſeem greater and of an higher ſtrain, then any formerly given to the greateſt Conquerours.
Sixthly, It is not ſufficiently declared, how upright, or juſt, or favourable men were with Antiochus, and for what end, and how he gave his daughter, to deſtroy or corrupt her; how ſhe was the daughter of women; how he took many in the Iſles of the Sea; how he ſo fell, that he was found no more; how the remover of the oppreſſour came into his place. Verſ. 17, 18, 19, 20. The application of theſe paſſages to Antiochus, cannot but ſeem ſtrained and forced, to a tender, impartial, and adviſed judgement.
Seventhly, The paſſages here attributed to the King of the North, cannot poſſibly but be directed to the Roman Empire. As that the Jews exalted or lifted up themſelves in Rebellion againſt it, thinking thereby to eſtabliſh and bring to effect the Viſion of the Prophets: That they fell in utter and conſuming deſtruction, as the phraſes do import. No other King of the North beſides the Romans, did after the time of Daniel, bring an utter deſolation on the Jews, and on their Land. All the other paſſages alſo in the Verſes following, will moſt congruouſly agree to the Roman Empire, as may be ſeen in the Explication.
Eightly, Antichriſt or the Pope of Rome, is ſo plainly and ſo punctually deſcribed from the 21 Verſe downward, that it cannot be called into queſtion by him, that ſeriouſly and judiciouſly conſidereth it. Now the courſe, order, and ſucceſſion of the changes of the world being ſhewed here to Daniel, from the Perſian Monarchy to the laſt time: It was meet, and congruous, that before the deſcription of Antichriſt, the Roman Empire ſhould be deſcribed, as which brought in the greateſt and moſt famous changes that ever were before: And if it be prefixed before Antichriſt, then muſt it here begin at the 14. Verſe, or elſe I ſee not what place can poſſibly be found for it.
Ninthly, In the other Prophecies and Viſions of Daniel, the Empire of Rome is deſcribed, repreſented by the Iron legs, Chap. 2.40. And by the fourth Beaſt with Iron teeth, Chap. 7.7, 8. As Iron breaking all in pieces, and devouring the whole Earth. Now if in theſe Viſions it is deſcribed, and as a moſt notable part therein: How much more in this Viſion, the greateſt, largeſt, nobleſt of all the reſt? Beſides in thoſe other Prophecies, the Roman Empire is deſcribed, immediately before Antichriſt: And why not proportionably here alſo? Nay much rather, as hath been ſhewed.
The ſecond part, containing the Explication: From Verſe 14. to 20.
VErſe 14. And in thoſe times] That is, the times following Antiochus.
many ſhall ſtand up againſt the King of the South] That is, many by ſucceſſion, Antiochus Epiphanes and his Succeſſors: Then of the Romans, Pompey, Gabinius, Craſſus, Soſius, Herod, Aug. Caeſar, Veſpaſian, Titus, Hadrian. By the South is meant Judea and Egypt: as it is declared in the Verſes following.