Visions and Prophecies of Daniel Expounded, Prophecy 5 · Part 2 · Section 8
Sect. 8. The Popes two wars in general. Verſe 22, 23, 24.
ANtichriſt coming to the mature ſtate of his Kingdom in Hildebrand, his ſpeciall wars began about 20 years after. The firſt againſt the Turks and Saraſins on this fide Euphrates: The ſecond, againſt the Waldenſian Proteſtants: Both properly the wars of Antichriſt, the one in the Eaſt, the other in the Weſt; both very great as ever any were; both like and equal in quality and quantity, as Thuanus ſheweth; both about the ſame time ſucceeding one another, and preſently following the maturity of Antichriſt in Hildebrand, propoſed in the words immediately prefixed.
Verſe 22. And the arms of inundation] That is, the Sultans of the Turks and Saraſins, which about the time of Hildebrand had made an inundation over Aſia, Syria, Judea, moſt cruelly perſecuting the Chriſtians there inhabiting.
ſhall be overflown from before him] That is, by the Chriſtian Princes and People of the Weſt at his decree, and in ſubjection to him.
and ſhall be broken down] For by theſe Weſtern expeditions of the Chriſtians, a great part of the Turkiſh Kingdom on this ſide Euphrates was broken down, many thouſands of them ſlain, and Aſia, part of Syria, and Judea recovered.
and alſo the Prince of the Covenant.] The Covenant is the the Holy Covenant of the Goſpel, Verſe 28, 30, 32. This Prince of this Covenant, by an Enallage of the number, are the Princes of the Waldenſes, the defenders thereof. Antichriſts firſt war againſt the Turks and Saraſins began An. 1096. The ſecond, againſt the Princes of the Holy Covenant 1209. the former war yet laſting: Wherein thoſe alſo were overflown and broken down, but in manner as followeth. Firſt, Antichriſt prevailed againſt them by force and ſtrength, from An. 1209 to 1218. afterward perceiving, that he prevailed not thereby, he turned to deceit, as in the next Verſe.
Verſe 23. And by reaſon of the joyning of themſelves unto him] That is, neerly and ſtrictly, and faithfully, as his Abbots, Legats, Biſhops, depending on him as their head.
he ſhall work deceit] To wit, by them. Or rather thus, By reaſon of the joyning of themſelves unto him, that is, By reaſon that the Waldenſian Princes ſhould put themſelves into the company of Antichriſt as his Inſtruments, upon promiſe of fair treaty: Antichriſt ſhall take advantage through deceit, and put them under hatches, and ſo ſubdue them and their Countreys. So it came to paſſe as the Hiſtory doth ſhew.
and ſhall come up and prevail by a ſmall people] For a ſmall people was ſufficient to take in the Waldenſian Countries, by peaceable compoſition. See Hiſt. Albin. pag. 2. b. 2. c. 7, 8. But when by deceit he had once brought them under hatches, he perſecuted them to utter deſtruction. I uſe not many words in accommodation of the event, becauſe of the admirable concordance of the Hiſtory. See Dan. 8.25.
Verſe 24. He ſhall enter by peace] That is, by pretence of peaceable compoſition as before. See Ch. 8.25. Pſal. 55.20.
both upon the fatteſt places of the Province,] Obſerve, the Waldenſian Countries are ſtiled Provinces, not Kingdoms; and their Governours Princes, not Kings, Verſe 22. and ſo it was. The Province of Tolouze was theirs, and a few others; and the Earl of Tolouze, the Earl of Beziers, the Earl of Foix, the Earl of Comming and Prince of Berne were their Governours. Upon their Countreys Antichriſt is ſaid to enter; firſt the fat places, ſecondly the ſtrong holds. The fat places, to note his deſire of ſpoil and prey.
and he ſhall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers fathers] For the like havock of lives and goods even in continuance, and time of peace and cold blood, and in ſo narrow a circuit of place, was never known or heard off in any age before.
he ſhall ſcatter among them] That is, among the Biſhops and cruel Harpyes, the Monks Inquiſitours.
the prey, and ſpoil, and riches] For this end was ſo palpable in the managing of this perſecution, that for a man to have been rich, was enough to accuſe him for an Heretique.Hiſt. Wald. p. 1. b. 2. e. 1. & 2. p. 7, 8, 9.
and he ſhall alſo forecaſt his devices againſt the ſtrong holds,] For he took the ſtrong holds, Caſtles, and fenced Towns, by deceit and pretence of peace, Aiſt. Al…ing. c. 2. …. 2. p. 120, …30.as alſo the Hiſtory doth expreſſely manifeſt.
even for a time] For the time of his power and indignation is ſet and determined Verſe 36. over a time, two times, and half, he ſhall not paſſe. See Chap. 12.7. and before this, the guſts of his rage are limited, and there is a time of reſpiration to the Church, and of ſtaying the Oppreſſour, Chap. 11.32, 33, 34. and 9.25, 26.
And thus much of the Deſcription of Antichriſt and his wars in general; now followeth a more ſpecial and particular Deſcription. See the like form of proceeding Chap. 9.24.