DISSERTATION XVII. More obfcurity in the remaining part of the prophecy; p. 376. Polluting the fanctuary, taking away the daily facrifice, and placing the abomination of defolation, more properly applicable to the Romans than to Antio- chus Epiphanes, with the reafons for paffing from An- tiochus to the Romans; p. 377-380. What follows more truly applicable to the afflicted ftate of the primi- tive Chriftians after the deftruction of Jerufalem than to the times of Antiochus; p. 380-382. The little help and the perfecutions afterwards cannot be applied to the times of the Maccabees, but to the emperor's becoming Chriftian, and the fucceeding perfecutions; p. 382- 385. The Antichriftian power, the principal fource of these perfecutions, defcribed; p. 385, &c. How long to profper; p. 385. Described here as exerted princi- pally in the eastern empire; p. 387. His not regarding the god of his fathers, nor the defire of women, falfly affirmed of Antiochus, but truly of this Antichriftian power; p. 387-390. His honoring Mahuzzim with precious gifts, and who they are; p. 391-394. Other inftances of his regard to Mahuzzim, in glorifying their priefts and minifters; p. 394-397. The remaining parts more applicable to other events than to the tranf actions of Antiochus; p. 397. After the account of the degeneracy of the church follows a prediction of its pu- nifhment, efpecially in the eastern part of it by the Sa- bouring countries to be fubdued, but the Arabians to escape, not verified by Antiochus but by the Turks; p. 399, 400. The Turks could never fubdue the Ara- bians, but on the contrary pay them an annual pen- fion; p. 401, 402. The total fubjection of Egypt to- gether with Libya and Ethiopia, not accomplithed by Antiochus, but by the Turks; p. 403-405. The rest of the prophecy yet to be fulfilled; p. 405. Cannot be applied to Antiochus, but belongs to the Othman empire; p. 405-407. What the tiding from the east and north; p. 407. What meant by going forth to deftroy and utterly to make away many; p. 408. What by planting his camp between the feas in the glorious holy mountain; p. 408. The fame things foretold by Ezekiel in his prophecy concerning Gog of the land of Magog; p. 409. The great tribulation and the fubfequent refurrection cannot be applied to the times of the Maccabees; p. 409. An inquiry into the time of these events; p. 410. A conjecture about the different periods of 1260 years, 1290 years, and 1335 years; p. 411-413. Conclufion to show the vaft variety and extent of this prophecy, and from Secunda Secunda pars (hiftoriæ ecclefiaftice) que eft hiftoria ad prophetias, ex duobus relativis conftat, prophetia ipfa et ejus adimpletione. Quapropter tale effe debet hujus operis inftitutum, ut cum fingulis ex fcripturis prophetiis eventuum veritas conjungatur; idque per omnes mundi etates, tum ad confirmationem fidei, tum ad inftituendam difciplinam quandum et peritiam in interpretatione prophetiarum, quæ adhuc reftant complenda. Attamen in hac re, admittenda eft illa latitudo, quæ divinis vaticiniis propria eft et familiaris; ut adimpletiones eorum non fiant et continenter et punctualiter: referunt enim authoris fui naturam; cui unus dies tanquam mille anni, et mille anni tanquam unus dies: Atque licet plenitudo et faftigium complementi eorum, plerunque alicui certæ ætati, vel etiam certo momento deftinetur; attamen habent interim gradus nonnullos et fcalas complementi, per diverfas mundi ætates. Hoc opus defiderari ftatuo, verum tale eft, ut magna cum fapientia, fobrietate, et reverentia tractandum fit, aut omnino dimittendum. Bacon de Augmentis Scientiarum. Lib. 2. Cap. 11. WHICH HAVE REMARKABLY BEEN FULFILLED, AND AT THIS TIME ARÉ FULFILLING IN THE WORLD Of INTRODUCTION. ONE of the strongest evidences, for the truth of res vealed religion is that feries of prophecies which is preferved in the Old and New Teftament; and a greater fervice perhaps could not be done to Chriftianity than to lay together the feveral predictions of fcripture with their completions, to fhow how particularly things have been foretold, and how exactly fulfilled. A work of this kind was defired by the Lord Bacon in his (1) Advancement of Learning: and he intitleth it the hiftory of prophecy, and therein would have "every prophecy of the fcripture be forted with the event fulfilling the "fame throughout the ages of the world, both for the "better confirmation of faith," as he faith," and for σε the better illumination of the church, touching thofe "parts of prophecies which are yet unfulfilled: allowing "nevertheless that latitude which is agreeable and fa"miliar unto divine prophecies, being of the nature of "the author with whom a thousand years are but as one day, and therefore they are not fulfilled punctually at once, but have fpringing and germinant accomplishment throughout many ages, though the highth or fulness of them may refer to fome one age." Such a work would indeed be a wonderful confirmation of our faith, it being the prerogative of God alone, or of those who are commiffioned by him, certainly to foretel future events; and the confequence is fo plain and neceffary, from the believing of prophecies to the (1) Book the 2d. in English. B VOL. I. believing |