subject of them is the history of Antichrist, and the Waldensian saints and their successors restored and reduced out of antichristian captivity. See chap. vii, ii, vill, x.—xii.”
Ans. (1.) This is “petitio principii,’ and hath no foundation but the arbitrary hypothesis of our atfthor: and it seems strange that there should be so many prophecies of the churches of Christ, and none amongst them of Christ himself; for this is far from the genius and strain of the Old Testament, all the principal prophecies whereof firstly and directly intend him, and the church only as built on him. (2.) Grant, therefore (for we will not needlessly contend), that some of those prophecies may concern these latter times, it doth not at all follow that this also must so do, considering the great variety of Daniel’s visions; and there are arguments unanswerable that it doth not do so, as will afterwards appear.
14, It is added, fourthly, “That the parallel proportion of phrase argueth ‘The anointed prince, verse 25, to be ‘The prince of the covenant,’ chap. xi. 22, which there doth signify the princes of the Waldenses.”
314 DANIEL’S PROPHECY VINDICATED. [EXERC. XIV.
Ans. (1.) That expression, 722 MW, verse 25, is not well rendered “The anointed prince.” It is “ Messiah the Prince,” King, or Leader, as all translations whatever agree. And indeed thisis, if not the only, yet far the most signal, place in the whole Old Testament wherein the promised Redeemer is directly called the Mrsstan, whence his usual appellation in both churches, Judaical and Christian, is taken; for there is not above one place more where he is immediately and directly so called, and not in his types; neither is that place without controversy. To interpret this expression, therefore, in this place otherwise, is to take away the foundation of that name of our Re- deemer by which the Holy Ghost in the New Testament doth prin- cipally propose him unto our faith and obedience; which certainly would be “in prejudicium fidei Christiane.” (2.) The “ prince of the covenant,” chap. xi. 22, in those wars of Antiochus Epiphanes, or per- secutions of Antichrist (I determine not whether), may be another from “ Messiah the Prince” here promised.
15. He says, fifthly, “The straits of times, verse 25, and the de- struction of the city, verse 26, do fitly agree to the antichristian persecution. See chap. vii 24, xi. 23.”
Ans. They do more fitly agree to the times of the building of Jerusalem and last destruction thereof, concerning which they are spoken. All straits and destructions have somewhat alike in them wherein they may seem to agree; but it doth not thence follow that one is intended in the prediction of another.
16. It is further urged, “ The effects of the last week are parallel with the antichristian persecution described, Apoc. xi. For as the Christian church is in both places signified by the ‘holy city,’ Apoe. xi. 2, with Dan. ix. 26; and straits of time said in both places to go before the last afflictions, Apoc. xi. 5-7, with Dan. ix. 25; so the last afflictions are also proposed with marvellous agreement; there, three years and an half of tyranny over the conquered saints in the end of the persecution; here, half a wéek of years,—that is, precisely three years and an half,—cut out for the same end; the war imme- _ diately preceding the foresaid triumph, Apoc. xi. 7, here in like manner.”
Ans. (1.) The lukeness of phrases and expressions in setting out. different events agreeing only in some generals, especially in the predictions that concern Christ and his church, which is predestinated to be conformed unto him, is so frequent in the prophecies of the Old Testament that nothing unto the purpose of this learned author can be concluded from such an observation concerning these places. (2.) The Christian church is not intended by the “ city,” Dan. ix. 26, but expressly that city which was to be built upon the decree of the king of Persia, whose condition was revealed unto Daniel upon his prayer for it and about it. (3.) It is no wonder that there should
SECT. 15-19.] DANIEL’S PROPHECY VINDICATED. 315
be straits before desolations, at all seasons of them whatever. (4.) The half week cut off from the rest of the week is not to be three years and an half of persecution, tyranny, and triumph, but, on the contrary, it is designed for the confirmation of the covenant by the preaching of the gospel; so that here is nothing of the parallelism pretended in the places compared.
17. He proceeds: “ From the beginning of the second half of the last week, or of the three years and an half, a prince is said to ‘ cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease,’ verse 27; a phrase ascribed unto Antichrist, chap. vii. 11, xi. 31.”
Ans. (1.) I have showed before that the similitude of phrases in different places is no ground to conclude a coincidence of the same things intended. (2.) The phrases are not the same, nor alike, in the places compared. Concerning him who is spoken of, chap. viii. 11, it is said, 1/27 ON; and of them, chap. xi. 31, TAT WD} — “They shall take” (or “remove”) “away the continual offering ;” thatis, hinder the observation of it and attendance unto it, when it ought to be observed. Of the prince, chap. ix. 27, it is said, Mat* nz) N3t—“ He shall cause to cease sacrifice and offering,” so that, de jure, they ought no more to be observed.