Hē apostasīa, ho antichristos, or, A scriptural discourse of the apostasie and the Antichrist, by way of comment, upon the twelve first verses of 2 Thess. 2 under which are opened many of the dark prophecies of the Old Testament, which relate to the calling of the Jews, and the glorious things to be affected at the seventh trumpet through the world : together with a discourse of slaying the witnesses, and the immediate effects thereof : written for the consolation of the Catholike Church, especially the churches of England, Scotland, and Ireland / by E.H.

About this Item

Title
Hē apostasīa, ho antichristos, or, A scriptural discourse of the apostasie and the Antichrist, by way of comment, upon the twelve first verses of 2 Thess. 2 under which are opened many of the dark prophecies of the Old Testament, which relate to the calling of the Jews, and the glorious things to be affected at the seventh trumpet through the world : together with a discourse of slaying the witnesses, and the immediate effects thereof : written for the consolation of the Catholike Church, especially the churches of England, Scotland, and Ireland / by E.H.
Author
Hall, Edmund, 1619 or 20-1687.
Publication
[London :: s.n.],
1653.
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Subject terms
Bible. -- O.T. -- Prophecies.
Bible. -- N.T. -- Thessalonians, 2nd, II, 1-12 -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.
Apostasy.
Antichrist.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A44854.0001.001
Cite this Item
"Hē apostasīa, ho antichristos, or, A scriptural discourse of the apostasie and the Antichrist, by way of comment, upon the twelve first verses of 2 Thess. 2 under which are opened many of the dark prophecies of the Old Testament, which relate to the calling of the Jews, and the glorious things to be affected at the seventh trumpet through the world : together with a discourse of slaying the witnesses, and the immediate effects thereof : written for the consolation of the Catholike Church, especially the churches of England, Scotland, and Ireland / by E.H." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A44854.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed October 31, 2024.

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CHAP. III.

WHo opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sus in the Temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

This verse gives us a description of those actions which give the esse formale to the Antichrist; for 'tis not the person, but the sinne makes the Antichrist formally so to be. This text is Anti∣christ's looking-glasse, wherein he may see himself face to face.

His prodigious sin is the slaying of the Witnesses, and this is the sin which the text sets forth.

In the words there are three generall parts. 1 Antichrist's acts. 2 The object of these actions. 3 The end of his acts.

1 His acts are set forth under two names or titles given to him. 1 He opposeth. 2 He exalteth himself.

2 The objects of these actions are, 1 All that is called god. 2 Or that is worshipped.

3 In the end of his actions we have, 1 The ambitious aimes of the Antichrist laid open, 'tis to make himself supream. [So that he as God] there's his Supremacy. 2 We have the place where Antichrist makes himselfe King and Supream, and that is in the Temple of God, in the true Church of God [Sits in the Tem∣ple of God.]

3 We have also his kinde of title to all this greatness, described [shewing himself that he is God] 'tis a self-created title that he hath to his Supremacy: he shewes himselfe, he displayes his own colours: the meaning is, he is an Usurper, he hath no title, but what he gives himself.

[Who opposeth and exalteth himselfe,] so our Translation renders it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Beza translates it [sese opponens] the Vulgar, [qui adversatur] the Syriack, [qui adversarius] the particle [•…•…]* 1.1 is restrictive in this place; and therefore the expression is to be considered absolutely, [that person opposing, or the adverse per∣son.] The word comes from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, contra jaceo; it

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alludes to souldiers lying in siege against a Castle, who lie close in their trenches against it; so doth the Antichrist lay a siege against the Witnesses, watching for an opportunity, to surprize them, and bereave them of their power and glory. The word answers (saith Grotius, Zanchie, and Beza) to the word Satan in Hebrew, which signifies an adversary, as they prove. This turns us to a text which gives us a view of the Antichrist, (Zach. 3 3, 4) and the Witnes∣ses in filthy garments, and the Lord rebuking Antichrist, who is there twice called the adversary▪ in the rebuking of whom there is a fair Miter put upon Ioshua the high Priests head, that is, the Witnesses are called up to the Throne; but this text will require much time to clear, and therefore at this time I passe it by.

We will take it as 'tis byassed the other way by Commentators, and so the expression, (as that next before it) alludes to Iudas: saith Chist, Have not I chosen twelve, and one of you is a Devil? and why a Devil? but because he proved a traitor to his own Master, and an hypocriticall cunning traitor against him; so doth Anti∣christ against his Liege Sovereign.

To conclude, he is most probably called the adversary, because he is the opposer of the Lords anointed ones; hence the learned call him the Antichrist, because Christo ex diametro oppositus.

[And exalteth himselfe,] these two expressions turn us to two texts, which two texts describe the Antichrist (say the most of the most learned) Commentators) in Dan. 11. 35. Revel. 11. 7.

In Revel. 11. 7. he makes war with the Witnesses, & overcomes them; here in opposing them, he makes war with them; & in over∣coming them he exalts himself above them; and in Dan. 11 35. you have Pauls words, He shall exalt himself above every god, (i e▪ saith Brightman) above every Magistrate; in Rom. 13. 2. he resisteth God, that rebels against Magistracie: Oh this is Antichrist, 1 Ioh. 2. 19. 22.

Thus you have the Antichrist's actions described, he opposeth and exalteth, that is, he maketh war and overcometh.

Now you have in the next place the objects of his actions, or the parties whom he doth oppose and exalt himself above.

Above every one that is called God. Some Greek copies have it, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] supra omnem, above every man that is called god: other copies read it [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] supra omne, above every thing that is

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called god; the Syriack Interpreter reads [supra omnem] Beza* 1.2 saith, utrovis modo legas, you may read it either way.

Grotius reads 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Here the Papists and the Protestants fall foul upon each other; the Protestants say, this is meant of the Popes usurpation in his trampling upon Kings and Emperours, and trampling upon Gods Law, and usurping a power even above Christ in his indulgencies and pardons.

On the contrary, say the Papists this cannot be; for (say they) Antichrist must deny Christ: oppose God and Christ, and be ac∣counted and worshipped as God and Christ: But the Pope will not be worshipped as Christ, for he believes in Christ and worships Christ: so farre is he from denying Christ: Therefore he is not the Antichrist. But if this were all the defence the Papists could make, for ought I know the Pope will still remain Antichrist. For there was never any professor of Christ ever lifted up his head so high against the Lord and his Christ as the Popes have done, except the Antichrist. But to answer their Argument, we utterly deny that the Scripture holds out any such thing, as that Antichrist in open words denies the Deity, or that he requires di∣vine worship as a god, or that the Iews shall worship him as their Messias. There is no such thing as they affirme of Antichrist to be found in Scripture: the two main Scriptures which are brought to prove it, are the Text we are upon, and that of 1 Iohn 2. •…•…2. The last we have already opened; this Text in hand we shall open by Scripture, and cleer its sense from all those aspersions call upon it.

[Against every one who is called god.] Grotius well observes on this Text, that Paul would not have us believe that those* 1.3 a•…•… gods of whom he speaks; therefore he adds (saith he) the word [called]

That it cannot be meant of the Deity in the letter, is past question; for who can exalt himself above him? nor can it be meant of his endevours to exalt himself above God, so as to assume the worship of a god; for it is contrary to that Text (which many learned Divines hold is literally meant of Antichrist) Dan 11. 38. (and the most understand it of Antichrist in the Type) where the Antichrist is said to worship the god of forces, or the god Mauzzim. Now how can this agree together, that he should exalt himself above eve∣ry

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god, assume divine worship as a god, and yet in this state wor∣ship* 1.4 a god? A quick-fighted Father of the Roman Church, seeing into what absurdities this foolish opinion would bring him, endea∣vours to salve it thus; saith he, Antichrist although he would be worshipped as a god publikely yet privately he worships the De∣vil his god Mauzzim, because by his help and strength he ob∣teined all his victories. It may be that this answer may satisfie those of the Roman Church, which live by an implicit faith; but it can never satisfie any rational Protestant, for these two reasons. 1 Be∣cause he hath not an iota of Scripture for his opinion. 2 He hath not so much as probability in his assertion; therefore I leave him, & passe to the other extream of the Protestants, who make this one of their arguments to prove the Pope the Antichrist. But that this cannot be meant of the Popedome, or Pope wil be sufficiently cleer to every unbiassed Reader, as I doubt not, but in part already it is, by what hath been writ to this effect in this Treatise.

He against whom the Antichrist opposeth himself, and exalts himself above, is the Supream Magistrate, Supremacie in the State, or the Monarch, and those authorized by him; in the Govern∣ment these he opposeth.

These are (Psal 82. 1, 6) called gods, and in Exod. 4. 16. and 7. 1. Moses the first Monarch of the Common-wealth of the Hebrews is called a god▪ See I have ma•…•…e thee a god unto Pharaoh, and unto Aaron thou shalt be a god. This is spoken of Moses; and here the title God is given to those whom the Antichrist opposeth; what doth this tell us but that it is one of the sons of Oile, one of the Witnesses, which Revel 11. 6. have power like Moses to turn wa∣ter into bloud I need say no more in confirmation of it, it is the sense of several Learned Expositors.

[Or that is worshipped] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Erasmus, Beza and Vata∣blus translate it [numen] divine power, others [cultum.]

The Sy•…•…tack, Ierome, and Tertullian, read [religio.]

The Vulgar (which our Translators follow) renders it [quod colitur.]

The word comes from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which signifies to reverence religiously; the word is a comprehensive word▪

'Tis by very learned men conceived to come from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which comprehends those things in Religion, to whom reverence & worship is due, so that it not only comprehends 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, (Acts 17. 23.) the forms of Worship in the Church, which e∣very

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devout Christian reverenceth; but the Administrators and Dispensers of those formes which are the Ministers of Christ:* 1.5 which the Apostle enjoyns, 1 Thess. 5. 13. To have in double honour for their works sake, for Religions sake, for the Gospels sake; so that the object of Antichrists actions are not onely Magistracy in the State, but Ministery in the Church. He not onely opposeth and exalteth himselfe above and against the Civil, but the Ecclesiastick Power and Government; he not onely changeth the times and lawes of the one, but of the other also; and what is this but the slaying of the Witnesses? the two Witnesses: this makes him the man of the sin, the son of the p•…•…rdition.

Next we have the end of his acts.* 1.6

[So that he, as god, sits in the Temple of God, here is also the place where he acts these things, 'tis in the Temple of God, that is, the Church of God, the true Church of God, where the Go∣spel-Ordinances and Gospel-Officers are of Christs ordeining, there doth this Antichrist (when he hath pulled down the supream Monarch, & all those Magistrates that depended upon his Supre∣macie, and where he hath opposed and exalted himself above and against all formes of worship, and right Dispensers of those formes) seat himself as god, that is, as supream Head and Mo∣narch* 1.7 over all those Countreys and places where he hath thus made war, and overcome; and this the Holy Ghost tells us is in the Church of God, which he calls the Temple of God: so that the Reader, if he will, may easily finde in what place of the world the Antichrist is to arise that slayes the Witnesses.

[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 so far forth] This adve•…•…b is very Emphaticall, implying that the drift of his prodigious acts in slaying the Witnesses, is that he may make himself the Lord possessour of their power and greatnesse, of their estates and revenues.

[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in the Temple of God] 'tis very absurd, to say that this Tempse (as the Papists affirm) is the Temple of Ieru∣salem, for the Temple is destroyed at Ierusalem, never to be builded again; and the Papists confesse that the time of this Antichrists appearing in the world, and sitting in the Temple of Ierusalem must be in the end of the Roman Monarchy

We must therefore expound [Temple of God] as the Apo∣state expounds it in other places, the Church of God; and s•…•… the most judicious of the Papists expound it: and generally all the Protestants so expound it, fetching their warrant not onely from the Fathers, but from the Scriptures.

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〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 comes from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because this is Gods habitation, he* 1.8 dwels there, so that the Antichrists seat cannot be Rome, that apo∣state Church, but that Church where God in an especiall manner dwels in the purity of his Gospel-Ordinances.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sits as God: here [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] is very Emphaticall, implying thus much, that he is but an usurper, he is not really nor rightfully the supream head, he is but a would-be-King, and an insolent usurper of what he possesseth: he sits as God, God is here to be expounded as before, he opposeth and exalteth himselfe above every god, that is, Magistrate, and here he sits as God, that is, as supream Head, Governour, or Monarch in the room of them he threw down: and all this in the midst of the Church, the truest and purest Church.

Augustine hath a prophetick glosse upon this text, he conceives by sitting in the Temple of God, is meant, his domineering and insulting in a Church-way, as if he and his followers were the on∣ly true Church, the only Saints, and all others but in the dark, foolish professours, and far short of him and his followers in point of Saint-ship.

Some Books for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, they read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the people of God; so that he, as God, sits upon the people of God; for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to a word▪ is in populum; this reading doth neither con∣tradict the precedent, nor the following sense, but rather confirms it, shewing that the Antichrist shall sit as Monarch over and a∣gainst the people of God: therefore Dan. 7. 25. he is said to weare out the Saints of the most High, and to change their times and lawes; and they are said to be given into his hands: i. e. to be delivered up to his Tyranny for three years, and the half of three, in which time he shews himself, as if he were the sole Monarch of those Kingdomes, which the true Professours of the Gospel do pos∣sesse.

[Shewing himself that he is God] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; the vulgar ren∣ders it ostendens, so our Translators render it in English; Erasmus reads it ost•…•…ntans, boasting or bragging. Beza reads prae se ferens, pretending, (I may so translate it.) The Greek word answering to 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Mor•…•…h, which in English is, making himself to appear [that he is God] that is, that he is in the power and authority of them whom he did subdue, which are called gods▪ the supream Governours; he sets himself out to be the Supream: 'tis a sel•…•…∣created title and power that he hath; none in lawfull authority

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gave him any such great authority, but he takes it to himselfe; so in Dan. 11. 36▪ he exalts himself and magnifies himself; 'tis the Kingdome that he seeks for himself; self-promotion is his end, that he may be mighty in the eyes of the world; he makes him∣selfe god, i. e Monarch.

Some read▪ [tanquam sit deus] as if he were god, that is, de∣monstrating to the world by his imperious acts, that he is no lesse then an absolute Monarch, he is no whit inferiour to a King in power, therefore he is as a King; and this he makes the World to know by his actions; therefore (saith 〈◊〉〈◊〉) Paul doth* 1.9 not say, saying, but endeavouring to make it app•…•…ar that he is su∣pream; his actions shall tell the World what he is, n•…•…t his words, for his words are smoother then oil, therein he is like the Pope, the first beast before him, Revel 13. 12.

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