Hexapla in Danielem: that is, A six-fold commentarie vpon the most diuine prophesie of Daniel wherein according to the method propounded in Hexapla vpon Genesis and Exodus, sixe things are obserued in euery chapter. 1. The argument and method. 2. The diuers readings. 3. The questions discussed. 4. Doctrines noted. 5. Controversies handled. 6. Morall observations applyed. Wherein many obscure visions, and diuine prophesies are opened, and difficult questions handled with great breuitie, perspicuitie, and varietie ... and the best interpreters both old and new are therein abridged. Diuided into two bookes ... By Andrevv Willet Professour of Diuinitie. The first booke.

48. Quest. Who shall possesse the kingdome of the Saints.

v. 18. Some read, they shall take the kingdome of the Saints of the most high. 2. Some, the most high Saints shall take the kingdome, &c. and possesse the kingdome for euer, yea for e∣uer and euer. 3. Some referre the first clause to the beasts, that they shall take the king∣dome, the second to the Saints, who shall possesse it for euer.

1. They which so vnderstand these words, as though these foure kingdomes which should rise out of the earth, shall possesse the kingdome of the Saints. 1. Some. by the kingdome vnderstand the earth, which is due vnto the Saints, and in Abraham was pro∣mised to the faithfull, which these foure Monarchies shall possesse for euer: that is, till the world be restored by Christ. Genevens. Iun. 2. Or it is said for euer, in respect of the lon∣ging desire of the Saints that are afflicted, who shall thinke the time very long before they be deliuered, Calvin. 3. Some doe thus interpret it: for euer, yea for euer and euer, that is, for diuers ages, shall these Monarchies keepe the people of God in subiection: for the Chal∣deans held them and their countrey in bondage 70. yeares, the Persians 207. yeares, the Seleucians 148. yeares, which make aboue 400. yeares: foure complete generations, Polan. But all these expositions are confuted by these two arguments. 1. because it seemeth an hard speech, that the wicked should possesse the kingdome of the Saints for euer and euer: whereas the kingdome onely of the Messiah shall be euerlasting, v. 14. 2. the kingdome of the Saints is not here taken for any earthly inheritance, but for a celestiall and spirituall do∣minion, as is euident, v. 22. 27. And therefore the other kingdomes are said to rise out of the earth, to shew a difference betweene this kingdome, and theirs: as the ordin. gloss. well ob∣serueth, Whatsoeuer is earthly, shall returne to the earth: Sancti non accipient regnum terre∣num, sed coeleste, the Saints shall not receiue an earthly kingdome, but an heauenly.

2. They which follow the second reading, that the Saints shall take the kingdome. 1. Some referre it to the euerlasting kingdome of heauen onely, which they shall receiue at the comming of Christ: hoc erit in iudicio finali, this shall be in the finall iudgement, Lyran. post regna mundi finita, post mortem Antichristi, after all the kingdomes are at an ende, af∣ter the death of Antichrist, gloss. interlin. But this fift kingdome the Saints shall receiue pre∣sently after the dissolution of the foure former kingdomes, which were ended before the first comming of Christ. 2. Oecolampad. likewise vnderstandeth this fift to be the celesti∣all kingdome, where the faithfull shall raigne with Christ: But it is euident, v. 27. where it is said, the kingdomes vnder the whole heauen shall be giuen vnto the people of God, that this kingdome of the Saints shall begin in earth: for the heauenly kingdome can not be saide to be the kingdome vnder heauen. 3. Some thinke that this kingdome of the Saints shall take place, while the other Monarchies doe yet stand; as vnder the fourth Monarchie of the Romanes the Church of Christ was propagated ouer all the world, Pellican: So also Bullin∣ger, Ecclesiam per omnes istus Monarchias in mundo futuram, that the Church shall be in the world during all these Monarchies: which exposition in part is true, that the Church of God, the spirituall kingdome of Christ, can not be extinquished, or ouercome, but shall still continue in the world, the very gates of hell shall not preuaile against it: yet herein it fai∣leth, that they suppose these Monarchies shall still haue dominion, when this fift kingdome

taketh place: whereas the contrarie is euident, v. 11, 12. that the fourth beast shall be slaine, and the dominion taken from the other three beasts, before this kingdome should be giuen vnto the Saints.

4. It remaineth then, that the fift kingdome, beeing the spirituall dominion of the Church, shall then beginne when the other foure kingdomes are extinguished. And for the more certen and euident demonstration hereof, these positions shall be here affirmed. 1. that the kingdome here spoken of, though the foure beasts shall first take it, yet in the ende shall be possessed of the Saints, not that those Monarchies shall possesse the kingdome of the Saints: so is it interpreted, v. 22. The time approched, that the Saints possessed the king∣dome. 2. this kingdome of the Saints is begun here in this world, it is not deferred to the second comming of Christ, though then it shall be perfited: as Hugo well interpreteth, ab hoc seculo in quo regnant per gratiam, vsque in futurum seculum in quo regnabunt per glori∣am, their kingdome shall begin in this world, wherein they raigne by grace, and continue vnto the next world, wherein they shall raigne in glorie, &c. 3. this kingdome of the Saints in Christ shall beginne after the dissolution of the foure former Monarchies, as is before shewed.