BECAVSE this pre­sent place doth seem to require that I speak somewhat of the end of the world (for such as haue written of the end of the World, doe make allegation euen of this Text) and this question hath and doth at this day put many to bus [...] ­ [...]s: therfore I will b [...]i [...]y make ma­nifest what my sentence is touching the same. And this question verily I [Page 2] will clearely discusse in sixe capitall [...] ▪ The first shall be, 1 Whe­ther this World finally shall come to an end. The next, 2 Whether wee may certainely know it. The third, 3 Whether a Christian man may law­fully search out when this end of the World, and the returne of the Lord Christ shal be▪ Fourthly, 4 what might be the reason, why the Lord nei­ther formerly would, nor yet will, haue vs know this time. Fiftly, 5 What be the signe precedent of the end of this World; and whether from them wee may designe the certaine time wherein the Lord will come. [...] si [...]t, 6 touching the duties of a Chri­stian in thi [...] controuersie, concerning the end of the World.

As touching the first [...] point▪ Three sorts of [...] haue d [...]nied that this world shall haue an end. The first were the Philosoph [...]rs▪ chie­fly the P [...]r [...]patecia [...]s; for these were of opinion, That thi [...] World neither eue [...] had beginning, nor euer should haue endi [...]g▪ and [Page 3] therefore Mankinde, as euen at this present, so in the same tenour and course, perpetually to liue in the World. But this crue therefore held this opinion, for that being destitute of the light of the word of God, in the inquisition of the truth they were led onely by the blinde wisedome of the flesh, for, the naturall man doth not perceiue the things that are of God: and to refute their reasons it is not worth the labour, for wee haue no­thing to doe with those Philoso­phers.

Others, who deny that this world shall once haue an end, are certaine Atheists, and mockers of things di­uine; of whom Peter, This know first, 2. Pet. 3. v. 3. that in the last dayes shall come mo [...] ­kers, which will walke after their owne lusts, and say, where is the promise of h [...] comming? For since the Fathers dy­ [...]d, all things continue alike from the beginning of the Creation. But th [...]se mens blindnes, or madnes rather, is refelled by the (euident) certaintie of the word of God.

[Page 4]S. Augustine t [...]m. 2. ep. 42. ad fra­tres Mandarenses doth thus dispute. Al other things which the Holy Spi­rit in th [...] Scriptures by praediction foretold, came to passe accordingly; as the first comming of Christ; the destruction of Hierusalem: And the same Spirit in like manner hath fore­told of the future end of this world, & of Christs second comming: Ther­fore certainely it shall come to passe. The argument indeed of these moc­kers doth Peter thus con [...]ute. ver. 5. For this they willingly know not, that 2. Pet. 3. the heauens were of old, and the earth that was of the water, and by the wa [...] ▪ by the word of God. ver. 6. Wherefore the world that then was, perished, [...]uer­flowed with the water. ver. 7. But the heau [...]ns and earth which are [...], a [...] kept by [...]he same word in store, and re­serued vnto [...]ire against the day of con­demnation, and of the destruction of vn­godly [...]en. Thus much Peter. The meaning of which words I wil make plaine, because those mocking spi­rits doe endeuour from the continu­ing [Page 5] state of the world, to proue the perpetuitie thereof, and doe deride the word of God; Peter doth ouer­throwe their argumentation by this reason. The world, as by the word of God it was of the waters, and by the waters; so also by the same word of God, when indeede it seemed so good vnto the Lord, being drowned with the same waters it perished and came to an end; and after by the same word of God it was restored a­gaine. This Historie was most appa­rent, and a thing most famous, and of most certaintie vnto the whole World. Therfore by the same Word of God, as in the first turne by wa­ter, so secondarily by fire, when it shall so please the Lord, it may bee dissolued, and haue an end. The Lord foretold the future end of the world, and that himselfe would come the second time: therefore this World must haue an end, and the Lord will come. For now are reserued these Heauens and Earth vnto fire for the day of iudgement and perdition of [Page 6] the vngodly: wherefore from the continuing state of the world the consequence holdeth not; That the world is vncorruptible and shall ne­uer haue end. For that also before the Flood it lasted long, and yet af­rer (for all that) perished, and euen by such things as from whom it had it originall, and was supported, (that is) by the waters; so by fire, an other Element of the World, the same world shall be destroyed.

The third sort who vouch the per­petuity of the world, are some, who are neither absolute Philosophers which are destitute of the sacred writings, neither yet scoffers and contemners of celestiall things, but both men fearing God, and most ex­pert of holy writ; of which kind a­mongst others, was Philo Iudaeus. Hee left a boòke written with this Title▪ [...] [...] Of the corruptible state of the world: in which treatise he labou­reth to make good, by sundry argu­ments, that the world is incorrupti­ble, [Page 13] But if Philo had (in this sence) vnderstood the world to bee incor­ruptible, for that neither it should vtterly be dissolued into nothing, nor yet changed into a worse estate, we likewise would haue condiscen­ded vnto him. For we likewise ac­knowledge out of the word of God the renouation of the world, and in the future a new Heauen and a new Earth. And so certainely seemeth Philo to haue holden by his expla­nation, whereby he declareth what he meant by the name of corrupti­on: For thus he holdeth in the en­trance of his booke pag. 645. [...] &c. For cor­ruption is called an exchange in­to a better state. It is likewise called the totall extinguishing of a thing in being, which then necessarily is termed a thing without existence, For as of nothing nothing is made (that is naturally) so neither can no­thing be dissolued into nothing.

Philo had read the Psalmes and Prophets who writ of this matter: [Page 81] but if he followed any other [...]e [...]s [...], the godly Christians, doe not ac­cord with him. For the testi­monies of Scripture are most cleare touching the end of the world Psal. 102, In the beginning thou l [...]ds [...] the foundation of the Earth and the Hea­uens are the worke of thy handes: they shall peris [...], but thou endur [...]st, they [...] shall wax [...] old as doth a garment, and as a v [...]stimen▪ thou shalt charge th [...], and they shall be changed, but thou art the same and thy yeares shall not faile▪ Mat. 5. Til Heauen and Earth shall passe away, one iot or title shall not p [...] ­rish of thy la [...]. 2. Pet. 3. That day of the Lord shal come as a thi [...]fe in the night, wherein the Heauens shall passe away with a noyse, the Elements shal melt away with fire, and the Earth and all thinges therein shal be burned. A­gaine▪ the Heauens by burning shal be dissolued, and the Elements shal melt away with heat; but we looke for new Heauens and a new Earth, according to his promise. Thus Saint Peter. Therefore this first Capitall poynt is [Page 9] to be vouched, That this world (as in case now it is) shall finally come to an end, (that is) be changed into a better condition, and God only to be vtterly voyd of all variablenes or change.

To what purpose then tendeth this doctrine? S^•. Peter teacheth. 2. Eph. 3. Seeing (saith hee) all these things shal be dissolued, what manner of men ought we to be in holy conuersa­tion, and duty of piety, expecting and ha [...]ting vnto the comming of the day of the Lord. The Argument is this in effect. The Heauen and Earth shall bee renewed at the comming of Christ: How much more therefore ought we to be renewed, who presse on to meet Christ at his comming? Therefore we are to endeauour for a perpetuall renouation, and to ad­here in heart to God onely, who a­lone is vtterly vnchangeable: as for other thinges, they ought to be had in contempt, because they all shal bee changed, and shall all finally haue an end. For this purpose out [Page 10] Apostle made mention first of the vanity of this world; then he added, Now are the last times, that is, where in is instant the comming of the Lord Christ. And why these things that contemning the world, and then auoyding those Antichrists, we being fortified in the Apostles doc­trine, might watch and liue sobe [...]y and iustly, alwayes prepared to go meet Christ at his comming.

The second Capitall poynt is; whe­ther we can attaine to know when the end of the world shall be? It is a case manifest whether wee be all led with a desire to know when the end of the world shall be. For this affection euen the Saintes were ta­ken withall, the Prophets and Apo­stles. Of Daniel it is manifest in Cap. 12. After that he heard of the An­gell, that is, of Christ, touching An­tichrist, and what thinges should be accomplished in the end of the World, hee asked the Lord, saying verse. 8. O Lord what shallbe the [...]d of these things? as for the Apostles, it [Page 11] apeareth Mat. 24. Act. [...]. Lord, when shal these thinges be? Therefore it is a naturall inclination in all to desire the knowledge of thinges to come; specially when the end of the world shall be: Now the question is whether this can be knowne of vs? The Lord Iesus taught that it no way can be knowne, when he said, Of that day & that houre no man Mat. 24 knoweth, no, not the Angels of Hea­uen, but the father onely knoweth; that is, the certaine time, wherein these thinges, by me foretold to you, shal come to passe, the father only know eth, yet in all ages there haue beene some, and that in the Church of Christ, who haue giuen out it might be knowne, some indeed certainely, and they haue presumed to deter­mine therevpon a certaine number of yeares, (such is mans presumpti­on) from the first vnto the second comming of Christ; others probably and in such sort, as that in searching this time they did contend, that no great error could follow, and there­fore [Page 12] they vsed sundry coniectures, whereby they assayed to determine, in some fort, how much time as yet remained vntill the next comming of Christ. Although verily there be great difference betweene the [...] ­merity of the one sort▪ and curiosity of the other; yet as the one is vtter­ly to be disprooued and condemned, so the other (for my part) I cannot giue approbation vnto. For true p [...] ­ety requireth that we bee certaine indeed that the end of the world shall bee, and that the Lord will come, but when that is, what either day, or moneth, or yeare, or age, both it shall be and hee shall come, we must of necessity confesse inge­nuously our ignorance, and that by no meanes it can be knowne accor­ding to the doctrine of Christ. And therefore according to the Com­mandement of Christ, let vs watch and pray, expecting daily and hour­ly our Lord Iesus Christ, being al­wayes prepared with our lampes burning with the light of faith, and [Page 13] filled with the oyle of good workes to goe out to meet him. But let vs now consider what haue beene the iudgements of men touching the time of the end of the world, and the comming of the Lord.

In the times of the Apostles, some there were who said; although the day and hower of the Lords com­ming could not be knowne, yet that the day of the Lord and end of the world could not at that time be far off; others, that this was newly re­uealed; others said, that this was the Apostles doctrine; others did en­deuour to perswade this by reasons and coniectures: but the Apostle did surprise such; saying, ‘I beseech you 2, Thes. 1. euen by the comming of our Lord Ie­sus Christ, and by our assembling to him that yee bee not suddenly mooued from your minde, nor troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter, as it were from vs, as though the day of Christ were at hand.’ The Apostle teacheth that these Impostors vsed three practises for perswasion, that [Page 14] the Lords day was hard at hand: First, Reuelations, for that they cer­tainely know this by the spirit of Re­uelation: Secondly, reasons and con­iectures; therfore he saith, or by w [...]: Thirdly, counterfet letters and resti­monies of the Apostle. But what saith the Apostle? that yee be not suddenly moued away, as though the day of the Lord were at hand, for that vnlesse [...] departure come first, &c. hee taught that first there must be a generall A­postasie, or (as others will haue it) a defection of the Roman Empire, and Antichrist to bee reuealed with [...] Kingdome, before the day of the Lord shall come. But how long af­ter the comming of Antichrist shall succeed the end of the world, and the day of the Lord, 100. 1000. or moe yeares, the Apostle hath not taught: but why? for that neither himselfe knew, according to that of that day and houre &c. BeholdeMa [...]. 24. what was bruited abroad in the A­postles ages, euen amongst the be­leeuers, touching the end of the [Page 15] world! And that these men were de­ceiued, the thing it selfe teacheth. After the Apostles times there were not wanting (euen) some, who did limit a certain number of yeares vn­till the second comming of Christ, and end of the world. Amongst the prophane Gentiles it was vulgarly bruited, as a Diuine Oracle, That the Christian Religion, after Christ be­gan to be honoured, should conti­nue only for the space of 365. yeeres, and then presently to haue an end. Saint Augustine relateth this. Tom. 5. de Ciuitate Dei. lib. 18, c. 53, and she­weth how false this was, cap. 54. And because after the end of Chri­stian Religion vpon the Earth, forth­with an end of the world shall be; therfore some Christians, perswaded by this Oracle, were of opinion, That after these 365. yeares were expired, presently the end of the world shold be. But it is apparant, how fouly these likewise were deceiued.

In Cyprians time, who flourished after Christ, about the yeare 250. it [Page 16] was credibly held, that the end of the world was at hand: this is cle [...]e out of Cyprians Epistles. And, which is more, in a little Treatise (ad For [...] ­natum) in an exhortation to Marty [...] ­dome, (if it bee Cyprians) in the be­ginning pag. 244. these words are read: Six thousand yeares are [...] compleat since the Diuell did im­pugne man. Although the book be not Cyprians, yet is it plaine, what was the opinion held in the Church, with many, touching the end of the World, at what time this booke was published; that is to say, That then were 6000. yeares begun to bee ac­complished, and so consequently, the end of the world instantly to draw neere. But how fouly they also erred, the thing it selfe decla­reth.

In Lactantius his time, who was famous about the yeere after the birth of Christ, 317. what opinion was maintained in the Church, [...] euident by his Institutions lib. 7. cap. 25. The whole expectation (saith [Page 17] he) s [...]l. of the end of the World, see­meth not aboue the space of 200. yeares.

In the time of Augustine, Hierome, and such others; that many were of opinion the end to be hard at hand, appeareth by Aug. his bookes. To. 5. de ciuit. D [...]. lib. 18. c. 53. he report­eth some to haue determined from the Ascension of the Lord vnto the end of the world 400. yeares; others 500. others 1000. But Augustine doth de [...]ide them all, and refutes them by the saying of the Lord Christ, Act. [...]. It is not yours to know the seasons, which the Father hath re­serued in his owne power. Mat. 24. Of that day and hower &c. A certain Bi­shop also in Augustins time, by name H [...]sychius, did seeme to hold; That although none could know of the day and hower of the Lords com­ming, as the Lord had [...]a [...]d, yet a set time and space of yeares might bee limited, from the comming of Christ in the [...], [...]ntill his second comming: and therefore [...] [Page 18] Christians to finde out this time. And of this point he writ to Augu­stine, To. 2. Ep. 79. Besides other places of Scripture which he abused for this opinion, that place of Da­niel, cap. 9. of 70. weekes, was one. For that place might be vnderstood of the time intermediate betweene the comming of Christ in the flesh, and his second comming: or at least by proportion it might be collected, That as from the time of the formes prophecy of Daniel vntill the first comming of Christ, there went be­tweene 70. weekes of yeares, so like­wise from the time of the first com­ming vnto the second, there should interpasse 70. weekes of yeeres. From thence therefore there might be ga­thered the certaine time vntill the end. But Augustine teacheth, that the place of Daniel can in no wise be vnderstood of the second comming of Christ. Hee that listeth, let him reade the other Testimonies of scrip­ture which Hesychius abused for the [...] of his opinion: and [Page 19] then let him reade Augustines an­sweres to the seuerall places, Epist, ad Hesychium 80.

To that which the Lord spake to his Apostles, Act. 1. It is not for you to know the times and seasons, &c. this answere Hesychius returned; That only was spoken to the Apostles: for hee would not haue them to know, for that hee would not haue them witnesses of the consummation of the World, but onely of his Passion and Resurrection; but yet his will was, that else wee should acknow­ledge the time of the end of the world. And to this effect he wre­sted euen that answere of Christ to the Pharisees, wherein hee repre­hended them, saying; You know how to discorne the outward appearance of the skie▪ but you know not the time of your visitation. This Bishop did in­terpret this sentence of the time of the second comming of CHRIST whereas Christ spake of his first com­ming. Summarily, Augustine conclu­deth▪ That by no place of Scripture [Page 20] it can bee gathered, when the time of the end of the world shall be, or that Christians may make inquirie, seeing it is written and spoken to all, It is not for you to know the times, or that it can be knowne of any mortall man, seeing it is written, Of that day and houre, that is, of the Lord re­turne, no man [...]noweth.

So Grogorius Papa, from the cor­rupt conditions of his time, and the strange wonders seen in his age, was often accustomed to say; That his Age was not farre distant from the end of the world. But hee likewise was much deceiued.

Now I proceed to the men of our owne Age. Many, and those learned and religious men haue thought, [...] ­though no [...]t time can be appointed betweene the first and second time of Christ, yet by probable co [...] ­ctures it may (howsoeuer) be known and discerned. The thing itself hath not yet declared, whether their opi­nion be [...] or [...], but such, as long after succeed vs, shall vnder­stand [Page 21] whether these deuout & lear­ned men were erroneously led, yea or no. For my part I doe onely en­deauour to prooue, that these conie­ctures alledged by them were very weake: and so by them that no proofe or determination can bee made of the end of the world. We will produce the principall and exa­mine them.

The first coniecture of these men is taken from 6000. yeares, wherein they say the world shall endure. For the Hebrewes haue left written in their bookes (specially in the [...]) that this was the praediction of Elias the Prophet, The world to continue 6000. yeares: 2000. vaine: 2000. the Lawe: 2000. the Messiah: and if any time came short of them, it was wanting for our sinnes.

Irenaeus likewise lib. 5. cap. vi [...]. concludeth, That the world shall continue onely 6000. yeares: and hee collected this his commentati­on, not from the Hebrewes, but from the proportion of sixe daies, wherein [Page 22] the world was created, after which six daies was the Sabboth, that is, the day of rest. This indeed (saith he) is both a narration of things past, and a prophesie of things to come: For one day signifieth a thousand yeeres, as the Scriptures doe testifie; and 2. Pet. 3. One thousand yeeres before the Lord are as one day. Therefore as the World was consummate in the Creation thereof, within the com­passe of six daies, and then Rest; so in the end thereof it shall bee con­summate within the space of six [...] yeeres: then shall follow true and perpetuall rest▪

Also Lactant, Firmianus. it. 7. c. 14. saith, That the World shall bee con­summated in the compasse of 6000. yeeres: and he borrowed this opini­on, together with Irenaeus, euen from one and the same fountaine. Which said opinion touching the durance of the World for 6000. yeeres▪ many (likewise) entertained of many. wherevpon also Gregorius Papa. to▪ [...]. in c. 9. [...]. 1. Reg. col [...]. 1415. The [Page 23] world (saith hee) was created in six daies, and shall be determined in six Ages. They adde further, That the 6000. yeeres shall not be fully com­plete: and that (partly) they confirme by the prophecie of Elias: partly by the speach of Christ, Mat. 24. Ʋn­lesse those da [...]es should be shortened &c. For although he there speake of the ruine of Hierusalem, yet likewise they contend that it may be vnder­stood of the time of the consumma­tion of the world. Seeing these things stand so (say they) 2000. were before the Law: 2000. after the law: (and that according to the computa­tion of the Hebrewes) and of 2000. vnder the Messiah, are now run ouer 1560. and there is in remainder 440. and of them also some shall bee sub­stracted, therefore that the world cannot endure longer, at the furthest then about 400, yeeres. This is their first coniecture.

But who may not see how infirme it is? First, Elias hi [...] prophecie, wher­vpon they relye▪ [...] not authenticall. [Page 24] Indeede it is auaileable against the Iewes, who doe admit that predicti­on, to proue that the Messiah is come, seeing there bee now run out 5560. yeares, but for demonstration of the end of the world, it auailet [...] nothing at all. Likewise, the ratioci­nation of Irenaeus, and Lactantius is too-too infirme, and feeble: there­fore iustly doth Augustine confute it. Besides, I say, it is against the worde of God. For the Lord saith▪ That none can (surely) know when the end of the world shall be: As for that day, &c. If then this their sentence touching 6000. yeares were true, we might easily know when the end of the world would be: but this were against the word of Christ. Therefore this opinion of 6000. yeares for the world to endure, is vntrue.

The second coniecture is collected from the foure Monarchies of the world. Daniel 2. & 7. The case thus standeth. The foure Monarchies are described, so that one doth succeed another. The first is the Monarchy [Page 25] of the Chal [...]eans and Assyrians; the second of the Persians; the third of the Graecians; the fourth of the Ro­mans. Those foure Monarchies bee­ing ruinated, that is, three of them vtterly desolate, and the fourth, as into seuerall parts, diuided into seue­rall Kingdomes: Dan. cap. 7. prophe­cieth, That a little hor [...]e shall arise a­mongst those ten other former hornes. that is, one Kingdome more potent and strong then the rest, which shall vtter great things &c. And when that Kingdome signified by one horne, shall come to a consummate power, so that it will thinke it selfe to alter times and lawes, then presently shall bee the iudgement, and Christ to raigne for euer. And this horne which shall arise out of the Roman Empire, they interpret to be the Turks King­dome. Thus therefore they gather: Three Monarchies are vtterly extir­pate▪ the fourth Monarchie also is extinct, because it is diuided into di­uers parts: Now the horne (that is) the Turkish Empire, began to break [Page 26] out about the time of Hera [...]lius. [...]or at that time Mahome [...] began to raigne; And this Kingdom of Turkes is now welnigh growne to the grea­test height, he preuailleth against the Saints, and in a maner he doth make account, that he hath power to change lawes and times: When this shal come to passe, then shall come the Ancient of daies. Therefore the time is but short vntill the second comming of Christ shall be.

My answere is this. If they vnder­stand, that lesse time now remaineth then before, that is most true: If also that which is remaining, they shall affirme to be very little, in compari­son of the eternitie of the Kingdome of Christ, this like wise wee will assen [...] vnto as most certainely true. But if they should vnderstand a little re­mainder of time to be behinde, that is, that there is yet behinde, either a hundred, two hundred, or three hun­dred yeares, &c. I say that nothing can be concluded from these places of Daniel, which are diuersly ex­pounded [Page 27] by interpreters. For, that I may follow the vsuall interpretati­on; first he describeth in the second chapter the foure Monarchies; and concerning the Empire of the Ro­mans he prophecieth fiue things, first hee setteth out the power thereof, That verily, as iron, it should surprise all other Kingdomes: then, the di­ [...]ision thereof, that is to say, it should be diuided in it self: thirdly, the cru­eltie and fiercenesse thereof, that without regard of consanguinitie or alliance it should not respect the bands thereof, by reason of crueltie; fourthly, the variable calamities and ruines, that is, that it should bee affli­cted with sundry Massacres, and spe­cially intestine (or homebred) dissen­sions and warres: Fiftly, the conti­nuance thereof, that although being diuided into many parts, as it were [...]wo feete into ten fingers, it should be broken in peeces, in respect the [...]eere w [...]re of clay: yet because the plants thereof were of iron, it should endure euen to the second comming [Page 28] of the King of Heauen. But after that Daniel had thus disputed of the Ro­mane Empire, presently he adioineth a prophecle of the Kingdome of Christ, I say, That Christ should so, dai [...]ely ruinate all those Kingdomes, and he alone should raigne for all e­ternitie. And he prophecieth of the double comming of Christ; of [...] which was in the flesh, with the preaching of the Gospell; and of that which shall be in glorie. And of the first he saith: And in the daies of those Kings the God of Heauen shall set vp a Kingdome which shall [...] be demolished: He doth not say, Af­ter the daies of those Kings, but in the daies of those Kings &c. For the Kingdome of Christ was raised [...] vp, on the Earth, when as yet the Ro­manes reigned and did gouerne the world, and endured almost six hun­dred yeares: (the Romanes [...]a [...]ing rule euen vnto the times of [...] us) and doth still and shall continue euen to the end of the world. After­ward hee saith of the second com­ming [Page 29] of Christ, when hee shal deli­uer vp the Kingdome to God his fa­ther all enemies being put vnder his feet: finally whereas thou [...]dst see that the stone cut out of the moun­taine without handes, doth breake in peeces Iron, Brasse, Clay, Siluer, Gold; the great God did intimate to the King what should follow af­ter these thinges. Thus the Pro­phet. And thus readeth and expoun­deth that most learned man Oeco­lampadius, citing withall Saint Hip­politus, who saith, [...], The stone which shall quell and crush the Image in peeces is Christ, who filleth the Earth, comming frō Heauen and bringing iudgement to the world.

But in this place is put downe no praescription of time, from the first vntil the second comming of Christ: wherefore out of this prophesie which is in the second Chapter of Daniell, nothing can bee concluded concerning the end of the world, whether it shall bee from that time [Page 30] within a hundred. or two hundred or more yeares. Although (as others would haue it) the more sincere ex­planation of that place would bee if it should bee vnderstood not so much of the vprising of the person of Christ, as of his Kingdome and the progresse thereof, throughout the whole world vnto the end ther­of, and of the endlesse continuance of the same: for so it is interpreted of Daniel himself in the same Chap­ter. But by this tenor, what can then be collected touching the definite time of the end of the world? the Kingdome of Christ, as it was pro­pagated by the preaching of the Gospel throughout the whole earth so likewise withall did it ouerturne the Empire of Rome, that is, the fourth Monarchy, with the Idola­tries thereof, as also now the Image of that Monarchy the Kingdome of Autichrist, it doth and shall conti­nue to ouerthrow to the end of the world, vntill it be totally abolished. For it is infallible that the end of [Page 31] the world shall not be, before the whole Kingdome of Antichrist be abolished, as the Apostle teacheth, Thes. 2. 2.

But who is able to determine of the time, when the Kingdome of Antichrist shall totally come to an end? Hee that can effect the one, may likewise performe the other.

Besides, some there bee who would haue the prophesie of Daniel in no case to bee vnderstood of the second, but onely of the first com­ming of Christ; and so also that which in the 7. chapter; and there­fore this to haue beene the counsell (or purpose) of God, to giue signi­fication to Nabuchadnezar what Kingdomes should succeed, and which should be the last of all, that is the Kingdome of Christ and that to continue perpetually, all others being ruinated. But how long it should endure vpon the face of the Earth, is not heere debated; neither that God intended by Daniel to giue notice vnto vs thereof, seeing [Page 32] it was not his pleasure, no not by his sonne, to reueale it. According to this interpretatiō, nothing can be dē uised more fondly, then out of this praediction of Daniel to goe about [...]o conclude any determination, touching the finall end of this world.

Finally some there be who would so expound the chapters of Daniel, as that in no respect they wil haue him speake of the Romane Monar­chy: but what all others haue inter­preted thereof, they will haue vn­derstood of the Kingdome of the Selucians; specially for this reason, because the Church of the Iewes was neuermore hardly and extream­ly intreated by any other then by that Kingdome before the com­ming of Christ, and most of all by Anti [...]chus Epipha [...]es, whom they vnderstand by the last horne. Dan. 7. And these expositors haue reasons of no small consideration for this their interpretation. Read the An­notations of Tre [...]elli [...]s, and [...]. [Page 33] And if we approue this exposition, what need haue we to borrow any coniecture from Daniel, of the time of the end of the world, whereas he had not the least thought of this matter? And out of this, an answer to the 7. of Daniel is apparant, where they would, vnder the name of the last horne that the Turkes Empire must be vnderstood.

For first of all it may be denyed, and that not without cause, that by that last horne is not signified the Empire of the Turkes. For the anti­ent Fathers, both Greeke and La­tine by that horne vnderstand Anti­christ with his Kingdome: and (here I report the iudgement of the Fa­thers) that he indeed shall come to­wards the end of the world, and that sodainely he shal rise vp among the ten hornes, that is, ten Kinges; but when he shal come, that it can not be known of vs: therefore that we ought not to preu [...]t Gods coun­selin searching out whē thesethings shall come to passe. Let vs h [...]re S^t. [Page 34] Hippolitus expounding this place of Daniel, [...] Wher­fore touching the Leopard the prophet foretold how there should be 4. heads to him that had the dominiō, & so it came to passe, & the Kingdome of Alexander was deuided, into foure principallities: so euen now we must expect how the ten hornes shall come out euen of this same (that is the Kingdome 1. Empire of Rome) when the time of the beast shall be accomplished. And alittle horne which is that Antichrist, Shal out of them sodainly appeare, and Iustice shal be taken from off the Earth, and the whole world shal melt into a consump­tion. VVherefore we must not anti­cipate the will of God, but patient­ly perseuere and pray, that we fall not into those times, neither be vn­beleeuing but that these future thinges shall be fulfilled. For if those first thinges, according to the prae­dictions of the Prophets, were not effected, then wee cannot expect these: but if they were fulfilled in [Page 35] their due times, accoiding to the prophesies; accordingly also these thinges shal plenarily come to passe. Hierome also doth expound this place, of Daniel, of Antichrist, and he manifesteth what hee meaneth, by Antichrist; and this saith he is the iudgement of al writers Ecclesiasti­call: his wordes are these. Ergo di­camus &c. Therefore let vs affirme that which all Ecclesiastical w [...]ers haue deliuered in the consummation of the world, when the Romane Empire is to bee destroyed, that there shall bee ten Kinges who shall deuide the Roman world betweene themselues; and the eleuenth a little King to arise, who shall conquer three Kinges of the ten, that is the Kinges of Egipt, Africa, and Aethiopia, as by the processe we will more manifest: which being slaine euen seauen other Kinges shal submit their necks vnder this Con­queror: And behold saith hee the eyes were as the eyes of a man in the horne, least, according to the [Page 36] opinion of some, wee should repute him either to bee the diuell or some Ghost, or els a singular man whomDiabolum vel Doemo­nem. the deuill should possesse bodi­ly; and a mouth speaking proud things. For he is the man of sinne, the sonne of perdition, so that hee dare sit in the temple of God making himselfe as God. Maister Bullinger, a most graue writer, doth accord in iudge­ment with the Fathers, touching this interpretation of this horne: but yet out of histories demonstra­ting that Antichrist is come alrea­dy, that the three other hornes are broken downe, and that he is in­creased by the subiection of those others, and his kingdome to be in­larged, and to haue his seate at Rome.

But what if we should with M^r. Caluin, a most acute and learned in­terpreter, by the name of this horne vnderstand (as many indeed of his followers doe) Iulius Casar him­selfe, and others his successors Au­gustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudi [...], [Page 37] Ner [...], and other Casars, and the ve­ry Empire of these Caesars? what if we shall vouch with others, by that horne to be signified Antiochus E­piphanes; for he did most cruelly of all others aflict the polliticall state of the Iewes, and subuert the religi­on, and erect idolatry, as is plainely made manifest in the first booke of Macchabees, as that wee stand in need of no other interpreter, where­in was a true type of Antichrist? But what from thence can be gathered touching the end of the world? Da­niel as yet hath treated nothing of that other comming of Christ, see­ing he is wholly employed in ex­planing those Monarchies which are to preuent his first comming.

The third coniecture is drawne from the time that Anrichrist, being reuealed, should raigne, The Scrip­tures seeme to deliuer (say some) that Antichrist shall raigne three yeares and a halfe. To this purpose is referred, that formerly mentio­ned time of Daniel (a time, two times, [Page 38] and halfe a time) But the place is more perspicuous in Apoc. 11. It is giuen to the nations (that is Antichrist and his members) and they shalt read downe the Citty 42. Months; and 42. Monthes do amount to three yeares, and an halfe. After this time gran­ted to Antichrist ouer the Saints be run out, Iohn teacheth, Apoc. 17. that a Lambe shall come who shall kill Antichrist. Thus therefore they reason, Antichrist being ma­nifested shall practise his tyran­ny ouer the Saintes three yeares and a halfe, and after shall Christ come; Those years as (they expound) are the yeares of Iubelee; So that one yeare shall signifie fifty naturall yeares: and so three yeares and an halfe shall amount to 175 yeares. The Pope is Antichrist, and hath hi [...] now reuealed already about 45. yeares. Therefore there remaineth as yet about the Lords second com­ming, vntill a hundred and thirty yeares, and soe some certaine time of the end of the world, may [Page 39] bee gathered out of the Scriptures.

I answere that this coniecture is very feeble and infirme. For first, the name of three years and an halfe, the Fathers doe account for naturall yeares, and they said that Anti­christ should raigne so many naturall years before the comming of Christ; wherefore this is a poore collection, that they expound it of the yeares of Iubilee.

Further, although I doe not deny the Popes Kingdome to bee the Kingdome of Antichrist, for that therein many thinges are defended, which diametrically are repugnant to the doctrine of CHRIST; and therefore I will not gainsay, that the Pope, while hee doth defend that Kingdome which warreth with the Kingdome of Christ, and doth obsti­nately oppose him-selfe to the doc­trine of Christ, to be Antichrist▪ This opi­nion neither giueth any aduantage to the Pa­pacie, nor is held by any spirit of op­position, nor yet written positiuely, but onely vnpo pro­bability, and in reuerence to the anci­ent Fathers. yet it cannot bee denied (as a thing probable) but that towards the end of the world there shalbe One Man in the Church of Christ, who shall [Page 40] exceed all other Antichrists in ma­lice and power. &c. and who shall worke miracles. And one might wel contend, That the prophecy of Iohn, as also of Daniel, touching three yeares and an halfe, wherein hee should reigne as is said, should bee vnderstood of that Man: As that neither hee should dissent vtterly from the iudgement of the Fathers; nor yet oppugne that which all our writers with one consent doe teach & make demonstration of cōcerning the comming of Antichrist reuealed in the Pope of Rome, to the time of the end of the world, is a fallacy (or sophistication) from aequiuocation, seeing Antichrist sometime is taken for euery one who doth obstinately oppose himselfe to the doctrine of Christ, somtime for the whole King­dome of Antichrist; somtime (by an excellency of speach) for one villain, of all the rest most notorious, which shall sit vpon the throne in Anti­christs Kingdome toward the end of the world.

[Page 41]Lastly, although wee yeeld that prophecy of Iohn to bee vnderstood of the Kingdome of Antichrist now reuealed, yet for all that it cannot be inferred out of that number of 42. moneths, that there as yet are in re­mainder about 130. yeares, for that those yeares are the yeares of Iubilee. For this interpretation of yeares, that they are indeed the yeares of Iubilee, any may easily reiect; and iustly contend, that a number cer­taine is put for a number vncertaine. And so doth Maister Bullinger inter­pret it; that such a time might be set downe by the Angell, which indeed was certaine to God, but to vs vncer­taine. And in very d [...]ed in my iudg­ment also that time cannot bee o­ther-wise expounded. For if the number were certaine vnto vs, wee might withall know when the end of the world shalbe: but this cannot bee knowne; because of the word Christ, Of that day and hower no man knoweth; therefore no certainty can bee concluded out of this place of [Page 42] the Reuelation, touching the time of the end of the world.

In like sort the fourth coniecture hath reference to that, which they deriue from the time which is se [...] downe in Daniel, cap. 12. From the time of the oblation of the daily sacri­fice, and the abhomination of [...] set vp, shalbe daies. 1290. Blessed i [...] [...] that expecteth, and attaineth to 1335. daies. Although (say they) this number seemeth to prophecy of th [...] warres of the Macchabees, yet also there is some notice therein of the end of the world. Therefore by daies they will haue yeares vnder­stood, which were in remainder from Daniels times to the end of the world. For there are first, 1290. years▪ then more, by addition, 1335. all these, put together, doe amount to 2625. yeares. Now from the [...] wherein Daniel did publish this pro­phesie, to the first comming of Christ, did runne out 600. yeares, o [...] there-abouts: therefore there [...] ­maineth yet from the Natiuity [...] [Page 43] Christ, vntill the end, 2026. yeares: now then (in th [...] yeare, 1560.) out of those 2625. years, are spent, 1560. therefore as yet there remaineth vn­till the worlds end about 425. years.

I answere. From hence also no­thing can bee concluded. First, there is no agreement at all with the Pro­phets praediction, that these thinges should be vnderstood of the warres of the Maccbabees, which went be­fore the comming of Christ; and therefore neither of the prophanati­on of the Temple, which fell out vn­der Antiochus. For it appeareth manifestly, That the Prophet in the end of his prophecy did fore-tell of those things which were to come to passe in the Church, after the last des­truction of the Temple, and the a­brogation of the whole Mosaicall Lyturgie (as the Prophet foreshew­ed in the end of the 9. chapter) vntill the end of the world: which thing euen Christ, quoting this very place Matthew, 24. doth clearely teach, when he saith; When yee shal see the [Page 44] abhomination of des [...]lation which is spoken of by Daniel the Prophet [...] ▪ Therefore the Prophet speaketh of the desolation or destruction of the Temple, which followed the abro­gation of the daily sacrifice, that is, of the Mosaicall seruice, Christ him­selfe being interpreter▪ and not of that prophanation, which fell out vnder the tyranie of Antiochus. Adde further, that Daniel in his 8. ch. to the one which was to fall out vn­der Antiochus hee assigneth daies 2300. but to the other, 1290. So it is made euident, that the time whereof Daniel here speaketh, did beginne from that last abhominable, and per­petuall demolition of the Temple, which was effected by the Romans, and to continue vnto the end of the world; wherein Daniel, together with others, shall arise out of his res­ting place, that is, the graue, where­in he quietly lieth, and shall liue a­gaine with his lot, that is, in euerlas­ting beatitude after the end of all daies. The case so standing, it is a [Page 45] good consequent, That no part of that time, of which the prophet here speaketh can haue reference to these years which were praecedent the cō ­ming of Christ. Wherefore they doe not carry the mater skilfuly, who out of these 2. numbers, 1290. and 1335. do so mak vp the years, 2625. as that they referre, 600. to the time which went before Christs manifestation in the flesh. And then from thence they gather the surplusage, to be from the first to the second cōming of Christ 2026. yeares. Certes, if those 2. num­bers be to be distinguished, & then after ioined together, & daies be ta­ken for years; it wil be behoofeful to acknowledge, that from the abomi­nation of the daily sacrifice, that is, of al Mosaical sacrifices, & the deuasta­tion, vntil the last cōming of Christ, do run betweene 2625. yeers. More­ouer, whereas they distinguish those two numbers, as being indeed diffe­rent the one from the other, & after conioine them, that hath no foun­dation to relye vpon. For there bee [Page 46] some, (and those men of good res­pect) which hold the same thing to bee meant by both the numbers, (that is to say) That the Church of God for a long time was, and should bee afflicted vnto the end of the world, but yet it was to hold out in perseuerance manfully, and a deliue­rance to be expected: for that when no such matter at all was thought vpon, as the riddance from those e­uils, then the Church vppon the so­daine (as it were) in the intercourse of time should be deliuered from all these afflictions. Adde withall that which may be affirmed (as many sup­pose) that this number here (as be­fore) is put downe a certaine for an vncertaine; which thing the Angell seemeth to insinuate, when, speaking of the same time, he putteth downe a different number of daies, first, 1290. then, 1335. For if from the time of the dayly sacrifice abolished there were but vnto the end onely 1290. daies, wherein the Church should be afflicted; how doth hee [Page 47] presently adde withall, him to bee fu­turely blessed, who in this endurance of euils shall persist couragious vntill the daies 1335. Certes, I doe see no other cause, but that his purpose was to signifie, that the same time of some was iudged longer, of some of lesse continuance; and, in that res­pect, the whole Tract of Time to be to vs vncertaine.

I passe ouer this, That the Fathers and some others doe construe this place, as that other cap. 7. of three yeares and a halfe, wherein that last Antichrist was said by the Ancients should raigne; for those daies 1290. are the same (in their opinion) with a time, times, and halfe a time, be­cause they amount to three yeeres and a halfe. Finally, some there bee who would haue here a repetition and explanation of that, which also before in the end of the 9. Chapter he had said, viz. of that time, with­in which the daily sacrifice being vt­terly taken away, the Temple like­wise should be destroyed by the Ro­mans, [Page 48] neuer againe to be re-edified; that is, within three yeeres and a halfe more or lesse, for so long time was that warre protracted, and fini­shed: after which presently ensued the horrible vastation both of Citie and Nation. And thus they reade the words of the Angell; And tou­ching the time wherein I said the dayly sacrifice should be remoued, and the obhomination of desolation erected, are 1290 daies; so that this (they say) is the true sense thereof: O Daniel, thou hast desired to know when the finall end of all things shall bee, I haue shewed thee that the end is sealed and closed vp; neither that to thee nor any other mortall man shall be made any other reuelation, then as is alreadie reuealed: But concer­ning the end of the Sacrifices, Poli­cie, and Gouernment of the Iewes, as also of the Warre to bee waged against them, whereof also I haue treated in the 9. chapter, if thou wilt learne the certaintie when this shall haue an end or finall determination, [Page 49] I can commonstrate vnto you a most certaine supputation, (that is to say) That it shal be finished within 1290. daies, nay, within 1335 daies. Thus hold these men. Therefore out of Daniel can no certaine time bee ob­serued, touching the end of the World; but onely that this time is determined with God, but yet vn­knowne to vs; and that in this time the Church should bee strangely af­flicted. For, Daniel making enquiry for this end, answere was made, Goe thou Daniel, for the words of this Book are made up and sealed, vntill the time of the end: Many shall bee purified, made white and tried, and the wicked shall doe [...]ickedly. Dan. 12.

The fift coniecture, 1. Tim. 4 For the Spirit saith, that in the last daies shall be per [...]lous times, men, louers of themselues▪ &c. I answere, That euen when the Apostle did fore-tell these things, there were many such in the world▪ therefore hee saith, But thou also a [...]oid such; for of such are they which enter into [...] houses &c. [Page 50] But now there bee more such. I an­swere. Obiect. What if there shall be many more, and much worse follow after vs, and specially in the end of the World? Augustine doth like wise giue the saine answere to this Argu­ment, drawne out of this place of the Apostle, in Epist. ad Hosych.

Other coniectures also are alled­ged: But such as I haue remembred are the principall; and we haue ma­nifested, that no certaine conclusion can be determined touching the end of the world. We therefore conclude, That for the time of the end of the world, either in what day, or month, or yeare, or age, it shall be, or that the Lord Christ shall come, it can neither bee comprehended by any certaine knowledge, or any firme coniectures of any mortall man: and the reason is; for that God will not haue it knowne, but onely to him­selfe, according to that, Of that day and houre &c. This we know indeed, that the end of the world approch­eth dayly nearer and nearer; but [Page 51] when it shall be wee can not know. This is my determination of this que­stion; which I clearely know; to bee both godly, and consonant to the Scriptures, and profitable: although I make no doubt (that I may freely speake my minde) but that in those numbers of daies, which are prefixed by Daniel and the Apocalyps before the end of the world, are included many mysteries, touching the last times; which things he may com­prehend, who is endowed with a peculiar instinct of the holy Spirit; neither would I make doubt, but that hee might pronounce sentence both of the end of the world, and of those things which shall come to passe about those times. But this gift is not granted to me: He that hath it, let him impart it. I will not des­pise his prophecie: I will trie all things, & in the meane time retaine that which is good.

From hence consequently ariseth the third capitall point. Whether it be lawfull to search out the certaine [Page 52] time, that wee may know when the end of the world shall be. I answere, I am not of that opinion. For if God will not haue it to be knowne, then he doth violate the will of God, who trauelleth and searcheth certainely that he may know it. Besides hee saith expressely, It is not yours to know the times and seasons &c. If it belong not to vs, wee may not lawfully in­quire to know. Therefore God, that hee might manifest to the world howmuch this curiositie discomen­teth him, hee hath effected, that so many as from the age of the Apo­stles hitherto haue desined any cer­taine time of the end of the World, they haue been euicted of errour. I speake of the ordinarie inquirie of all; if any extraordinarie bee called to the intelligence of these myste­ries, I doe cast no lets in the way, onely let euery one bee cautelous, that hee deceiue not himselfe, and tempt the Lord. Surely Curiositie is fruitlesse, but Sobrietie most profita­ble. And as they are commended [Page 53] who loue the comming of the Lord; so I finde both Daniel and the Apo­stle to bee reiected, when they did propose curious questions; When shall these things be &c.

The fourth Chapter is: why God will not haue vs know the end of the world? I answere, euen for the same reason why hee will not, that any should know when he must die: Verily, that wee should alwaies watch, and p [...]ay, and alwaies haue our loines gl [...] vp and haue our lampes in our hands filled with oil [...], and burning, as if the Lord were to be expected hourely. The Lord him­selfe alledgeth this cause. Mat. [...]4. after he had said of that day &c. And by the example of the deluge, which ca [...]t sodainely vpon the world in the daies of Noah he had concluded that such like and so sodaine should be the comming of the Son of Man; forthwith hee annexeth this exhor­tation, saying. Wa [...]h therefore, for you know not when the Sonne of Man shall come: giuing instruction in these [Page 54] words, that this is the cause why he would not haue vs know the certain time of the end of the world, that is to say, That beeing certaine the Lord will come, and vncertaine of the time when hee will come, wee might continually watc [...] and pray, dayly and hourely being in expecta­tion of him: Therefore Augustine saith in Epist. ad Hesychium, The Lord was willing we should know his first comming, for that the knowledge thereof was both necessarie and pro­fitable for vs: whereupon the Lord reproueth the Iewes, Luc. 12. saying; Ye can discerne the face of the skie, but doe yee not discerue the day of your vi­sitation? for that who doth not ac­knowledge the first comming of the Lord, cannot prepare himselfe for his second comming. But he would not haue the day and time of his o­ther comming to bee manifested, for that it was not expedient for vs; lest verily we should say with the e­uill seruant, Luc. 12. My Master doth deferre his comming, so let vs feast and [Page 55] beate our fellow-seruants &c. The Lord will not haue vs promise much time to our selues before his com­ming, but dayly to expect him, for that hee would haue vs alwaies in a readinesse. Therefore in the same chap. Mat. [...]4. in the end he addeth, saying; But if that euill seruant did say in his heart, My Master will defer his comming, and shal begin to smite his fellow-seruants, and shall likewise eat [...] and drinke with the drunkard [...]; the Lord of that seruant shall [...] in a day when hee looketh not and in an hours when [...] knoweth rat, and shall cut him off; and give him his portion with hypo­crites; there shall be weeping and [...] [...]f [...]eeth. Now wee perceiue the cause why the Lord would not haue vs know that time, certainly for our own saluation; lest promising a long time to our selues, like those ser­uants, wee should eate and drinke with drunkards, &c. Therefore prae­posterously, and contra [...]ie to the will of God they doe, who pamper their belli [...], and delight in gluttony [...] [Page 56] withall doe curiously dispute, when the Lord shall returne.

The fift Capitall branch is, touch­ing the signes which are praece [...]ne [...] before the end of the world, and the comming of the Lord Christ, and of the vse thereof. For although wee can know no certaintie, concerning the time wherein the Lord will re­turne, for that his will was other­wise▪ notwithstanding, sundry signes doe fore- [...]nn [...] the Lords comming, and (so) the end of the world▪ wher­by, both that the Lord will certainly returne, and that hee is not [...] di­stant, shall be made manifest to the godly, and honest hearted men.

But I will not recite all these signes; only I will point out certaine places of Scripture, where these things are to be read. Mat. 24. which also are rehearsed Mar. 1 [...]. Lu [...]. [...]1. so like wise to the same effect, L [...]c. 17. so somewhat of the pau [...]it [...] of the the t [...]e beleeuers. Luc. 18. Rom. 11. of the calling (or conuersion) of the Iewes. Likewise other things▪ [...]. Tim. [Page 57] 4. 2. Tim. 3. 2. Th [...]s. 2. But further, some certaine distribution of these signes is to be holden: some doe runne long before the end of the world, and some are more ne [...]rely praeccdent. To the first kinde apper­ [...]ineth that securitie of the men of this age, which is portrayed Mat. 24. Luc. 17 and elsewhere; As in the [...] of Noab, &c. Againe, As it was in the daies of Lot, &c. Againe, here­vnto pertaineth that reuolting from the faith, which is described [...]. Tim. 4. The Spirit speaketh euidently, that in the last times some shall depar [...] from the faith, &c. [...]hich also else where is remembred. Likewise, here vnto belongeth that corrupt state of the world, which is painted out by Paul, 2. Tim. 3. In the last daies shall perilous times be at hand, &c. for [...]en shall bee [...]onars of themselues &c. Hitherto like­wise belongeth that defection or A­postafie, and reuolting of the King­dome of Antichrist, which is read 2. Thes. [...]. These signes long ago were begun, and (that a farre off) did [Page 58] fore-runne the day of the Lord, and the end of the World, and so doe fore-runne & continue their course, vntill vpon a sodaine the Lords com­ming shall ouertake vs. But to the other sort, which are more neerely praecedent doth belong that mysti­call conuersion of the Iewish Nation to Christ, which shall come to passe about the end of the World; and which the Apostle setteth out Rom. 11. For I make no doubt, but that the Apostle speaketh hereof, when he calleth this a mysterie. Hereunto also appertaine those things which the Lord recordeth. Mat. 24. Their shall be signes in the Sunne and Moone, and the Starres shall fall downe &c. al­though also there bee difference be­tweene that signe which is Rom. 11. of the conuersion of the Iewes, and those which are read Mat. 24 of the darkning of the Sunne, and falling of the Starres &c. for that shall come to passe before the Lord com­meth, but these things euen at his very comming; and that shall bee [Page 59] praecedent before the end of the World, but these things appertaine to the very end of the world, when indeed (as it is 2. Pet. 3. said) the hea­uens shall passe away with a noise, and they burning shall be dissolued, and the Elements shall melt away: for I doe beleeue, that this renouation of the Heauens and the world is praesignifi­ed in those words of the Lord Christ, The Sunne shall bee darkned, and the Moon shal not giue her light, the Stars shall fall from heauen, &c. Thus much shall suffice of the signes.

But in this place two doubtes doe arise: the first, how that can accord which the Apostle writeth, Romans. 11. of the conuersion of the Iewish Nation about the end of the world, with that voice of Christ. Luk. 18. When the Sonne of Man commeth, shall he finde faith on the earth? For if then little faith shalbe found in the earth; how then shall a full multitude of Iewish people bee conuerted, viz. by the faith in Christ? Therefore there shalbe little and much faith [Page 60] vpon the earth. I answere; Augus­tine saith Disting [...]e tempora. &c. dis­tinguish the times, and the Scripture will accord: Those two shall not fall out both at one time, but in some distance of time. I belieue therefore, that these: two places may thus hee reconciled; first, that principal [...] and last Antichrist, which shall come a­bout the end of the world, and which shall excell all others in hy­pocrisie, craft, power, and di [...]b [...]i [...]ll sleights (for in him, as the Fathers te­stifie, shall dwell Sath [...]as, or all ple­nitudeSee D. VVhitta­kers confu­tation of this opini­on, and dis­allowance. De Rom. Pont. pag. 568. of Satanicall malice, as in Christ dwelleth all fulnesse of Diui­nitie, bodily) I say that last Antichrist shall subuert all things, and shall se­duce all (except a few of the Elect) partly by his hypocrisie; partly by his lying miracles, 2. Thes. 2. inso­much that, as Iohn speaketh in theApoc. 13. Reuelation, he shall make the [...] to come downe from heauen, in the fight of men; partly also by his power and violence. Therefore in this manner, when the Sonne of Man shall come▪ [Page 61] that is, about his comming, certes little faith shall bee found vpon the earth: but when that principall An­tichrist shall bee destroyed with the Spirit of Christs mouth, and by the efficacie of the Word of God hee shall be discouered to all men who he is (not Christ but Antichrist) then (happily) the Iewes shall know their Messiah, bee conuerted vnto him, and be saued. Therefore (Antichrist raigning) scarsely shall any faith bee found vpon the earth, but being de­stroyed very much.

The other question is, If so many signes shall go before the end of the world, whereby shall be manifested to holy men that the Lord is not far off, How then hast thou formerly concluded, that it cannot be known to any, when the Lord will come; and when the end of the world shall be? I answere: These things are not repugnant. For, notwithstanding the signes shall giue notice to the godly that the Lord is not farre off, yet from thence cannot be collected the [Page 62] certaine time wherein he will come Behold! many signes which doe fore-run the comming of the Lord, are long agoe accomplished: yet, how great licentiousnes and securi­tie? how much corruption of religi­on and manners? how many & great heresies? The Lord saith; As in the daies of Noah &c. Mat. 24. & Luc 17. And the Apostle, In the last daies men shall be louers of themselues, But how great a Lethargy amongst men hath been so long since the Apostles time? But who could either in the Apostles time, or now can define, how much time remaineth vntil the Lords com­ming? Further, the Apostle saith, The Spirit speaketh manifestly; that in the last daies some shall depart from the faith: but this Oracle, was it not be­come to bee fulfilled in the Apostles time? And certainly, those were the last times, as Iohn doth beare witnes, saying: it is the last time. Yet we see how long doe continue those last times; likewise how lately the King­dome of Antichrist was reuealed; [Page 63] and what it is. What for that it be­gun to be reueiled in Bernards daies? In Psalme. Qui habitat, 6. Ser. pag. 413. At nùnc quidem. &c. But now indeed (saith hee) wee haue peace from Pagans; peace from Here­tiques, but there is no peace from false children. Thou hast multiplied the Nation O Lord Iesus, but not magnified our ioy; all are Christians, and yet all seeke their owne, not such things as are Iesus Christs: like­wise the duties of Ecclesiastical dig­nities are transformed into filthy gaine and the busines of darknes: neither in them is sought the salua­tion of soules, but the excesse of riches: for this they are shauen, they frequent Churches, they cele­brate Masses, they sing Psalmes: at this day most impudently there is contention for Bishopricks, Arch­deaconries, Abbotships, and other dignities: & the reuenues of Chur­ches are wasted vpon the practise of super [...]uities & vanities; it remaineth that the Man of sinne bee reueiled, [Page 64] the sonne of perdition, the Ghost (that walketh) on the day, but euen at noone-day, which is not onely transfigured into an Angell of light, but also exalted aboue all that is called God, or that is worshipped. Thus Bernard.

Loe! one of the principall signe [...] going before the end of the World, (that is to say) the manifestation of the Kingdome of Antichrist! yet who either could or can affirme when the Lord shall come? There­fore by those tokens which runne [...] long before, although they notifie, that the Lord indeed will come and that he is not farre off, yet notwith­standing it cannot bee determined, to what length of yeares this exten­deth, that he is not farre off. So, [...] those signes which fore-run by sou [...] nearer distance, it may be gathered that the end of the World is more neere approching then before, and that the Lord will come quickly; yet neither of what space this (quilckly) will be, it cannot before be know [...]. [Page 65] In the Apocalyps likewise it is said, cap. 3. Behold (saith the Lord) I come quickly; and yet he is not come.

The conclusion is this; that al­though many signes shall bee fore­runners, and praecedents to the day of the Lord, and end of the World; yet will it not thereupon bee any consequent, That it can be knowne by any signes when the Lord will come. Neither is that the vse of signs, that by them wee may know the time and set day: but there be other vses.

And in my iudgement there bee three vses of these signes, and these, seruing against three grieuous perils in this busines. The first perill is, Lest any should vtterly resolue that there should bee no end at all, or re­turne of the Lord. Against this daunger the Lord in the Scriptures hath deliuered, and commanded that we should so belieue, that this world shall haue an end, and that the Lord Christ will certainely come a­gaine. To this effect doe tend the to­kens [Page 66] foretold from the Lord, scilicet [...] That when we shall see them come to passe, we may become more cer­taine, that the Lord (as he did prog­nosticate) will certainely come. The first vse then of the signes is, that by them, as by seales, the promise tou­ching the comming of Christ should be ratified, and our faith therin con­firmed.

Another perill is; Though wee certainely beleeue that the end of the World shall bee, and that the Lord shall come, yet lest we should deny him as yet to bee farre off, and to make delay. For this imagination is the cogitation of the euill seruant, and maketh a man secure in his sins. Against this danger the Lord would haue vs alwaies to resolue, that the day of the Lord is not farre absent. To this effect tend these voices, Phil. 4. The Lord is at hand: also Mat. 24. of the euill seruant, who imagineth that the Lord wil not come quickly, he saith; the Lord of that seruant will come in a day when he hopeth not, and [Page 67] in anhoure when he knoweth not, and will cut him off &c. as though hee should say, his Lord will sooner re­turne then that euill seruant expect­ed. Luc. 12. And be ye likewise pre­pared: for the Sonne of Man wil come at an houre when yee thinke not. For this purpose serue the signes fore­told by the Lord. Verily, for that whereas wee perceiue, yea from the beginning, and doe dayly see many of them accomplished already, and to come to passe, we should therfore thinke that the Lord is not farre off, and (so) watch and pray. Wherfore the Lord, when he had fore-told the signes, he (consequently) added the vse of the praediction thereof, say­ing; when yee shall see all these things, Kn [...]w that he is nigh, euen in the dores. Therefore this is the second vse of these signes, That indeede by the sight thereof wee might know the Lord not to be farre off, but quickly to returne; yet so, as that wee may neuer define how far off this (quick­ly) shall be.

[Page 68]The third perill is this; lest that, because the good seruant must re­member, that it may so fall out that his Maister may come quickly, hee should rashly define how long or how short time that (quickly) will be, and should appoint any certaine time when his Lord will come. For that determination of a certain time, besides, that it is presumptuous, it is likewise repugnant to the will of God, and pernicious. Against this rock, the Lord will haue vs to ac­knowledge and confesse, that wee cannot know this time, and that it is onely knowne to God. Againe, hee would haue vs know, that it is not our office either to search out, or to know the times and seasons which the Father hath put in his owne po­wer. Hereunto also appertaine the signes, that is to say, That when we shall see many of them to bee origi­nally accomplished from the time of the Apostles, neither yet presently the Lord to bee come, that [...] yet wee presume to define (though [Page 69] we see the rest) of any certaine time of his comming, but that we should know that this onely is seene to the Lord: and therefore, for that wee are ignorant when he will come, we should alwaies watch and pray. Wherfore the Lord saith, Matthew, 24. If the housholder knew at what houre the theefe would come, he would (doubtlesse) wa [...]ch, and not suffer his house to be digged through: as though he should say, he would (doubtlesse) watch that houre onely, wherein he knew the thiefe would come, but for that he knoweth hee will come, and is ignorant in what houre, ther­fore hee awaketh the whole night, and standeth vpon his watch: be yie also therefor [...] prepared (that is, al­waies) for at an houre when yet thinke not will the sonne of man come; as if he had said▪ If yee know that cer­taine time wherin he would returne, yee would watch onely about that time, and addresse your selues to meete me: but for that yee are ig­norant when I shall come, at mid­night [Page 70] or cock-crow, or in the mor­ning, and yet yee know certainly that I wil come, therefore, yee ought continually to bee prepared, and in readinesse. These therefore are the three principall vses of the tokens foregoing the end of the world, and the comming of the Lord; first, that by seeing of them we may firmely know that the Lord wil come: next, that by the sight thereof wee may know that hee will come quickly; thirdly, that by seeing of them wee doe not yet determine how long this (quickly) shall endure; for that many of them are come to passe, and yet the Lord commeth not. Besides, no signes doe bend that way, that by them we may be enabled to de­fine the certaine time of his com­ming, and of the end of the world. Therefore the Lord did first prog­nosticate the signes, Matthew. 24. and then, le [...]t any man should yet thinke, that hee could gather how much space of time remained touch­ing the Lords comming, he added, [Page 71] Of that day knoweth no man. We see therefore that this sequele hath no coherence. The signes are fore-told that doe fore-runne the end of the world: therefore when they for­merly come to passe, and are accom­plished; we may not thence obserue how much time certainely remai­neth vntill his comming; for that there be other vses (as is manifested already) of the signes, then that by them wee either can or ought to conclude the certaine time of the world. But by all these wee may easily collect what a Christian man may doe in this question, touching the end of the world. Now then out of things allready spoken let vs discusse the duties of a Christian man to be obserued in this questi­on of the worlds ending.

The sixt Capitall branch is; what thinges are to bee obserued of a Christian man, in this question tou­ching the end of the world.

Wee must firmely beleeue that this world shall finally come to an [Page 72] that the Lord shall returne, and that the world shall be renew­ed: wherefore seeing there must be a renouation of the Heauen and Earth, we are to giue regard, that wee likewise be daily renouated, as Peter teacheth. 2. Pet. 3.

When this end shall come, wee are not curiously to inquire, both for that it cannot be knowne, accor­ding to the voyce of Christ, Mat. 24. as also for that we are forbidden in that saying, Act. 1 It appertaineth not to you to know the times. &c.

Although we know not when hee will come, yet in the meane while we are to desire his comming, ac­cording to that Mat. 6. Let thy Kingdome come. And this is likewise acceptable to God, as the Apostle testifieth 2. Tim. 4. henceforth is laid vp for me a crowne of righteousnes, which the Lord (that iust iudge) shall render vnto me at that day, and not on­ly to me, but also to all such as shal wish for his comming.

Albeit wee know not when; yet [Page 73] ought euery one continually to haue in remembrance, that the Lord may sooner come then the world supposeth. For this is the difference betweene the good and euill ser­uant, Luc. 12. The euil one saith, My Lord wil deferre his comming &c. but the good one saith, I know not verily when my Lord wil come but I do daily expect him: for he wil come (as hee prophesied) as a thiefe in the night, that is, vpon the sodaine. A­gaine albeit (that I may in the inte­rim yeeld this) that he will not come speedily to iudge the whole world, yet it may bee he wil come to mor­row to exact of mee a priuate ac­count of my life.

Because we know not when the Lord wil come, we are to watch and pray perpetually, and our lamps are so to bee kept furnished with faith and good workes, as if he were to come to morrow, according to that of Christ, Mat. 24. Watch therefore and pray, for you know not what houre your Lord will com [...] ▪ Wherefore, at [Page 74] no hand are we to imitate that euill seruant, who for that hee doth pro­mise to himselfe that his Maister wil deferre his comming, he is drunke with the drunkards, and smiteth his fellow seruants. Luc. 12.

If we be tempted to impatience for that the day of the Lord com­meth not quickly, or because the Lord doth so long deferre his com­ming, let vs follow the counsaile of the Apostle Pet. 2. Epist. 3. Let vs fasten our eyes, not vpon the passage of this temporary life, but vpon ae­ternity it selfe, where all time, be it neuer soe long, doth vanish to no­thing: and let vs bee advised, that a thousand yeares with the Lord a [...] but as one day, according to that 2. Pet. 3. Moreouer bee not ignorant of this one thing (beloued) that one day with the Lord, is as a thousand yeares, and a thousand years as one day, Let vs therfore vnderstand that this delay is nothing.

If further we shalbe assaulted, ei­ther of our owne curiosity, or ques­tioned [Page 75] of others, why the Lord doth so long deferre his comming? let vs answere as Peter instructeth, that he doth therefore deferre, for that hee looketh that all should repent, and that he is not delighted with the perdition of men.

If Question be propounded, whe­ther the Lord will sooner or later come? let vs follow the doctrine of CHRIST, and returne our answere, We cannot tell: for this is the safer tract. For if thou shalt say, the Lord will not come quickly, hee will yet deferre, this is the property of the euill seruant. Luke, 12. Matthew. 24. and it begetteth either security to [...]arnall, or despaite to godly men, who desire the comming of Christ: if thou say he will come quickly, this indeed is the part of the good ser­uant, to thinke that the Lord will come quickly, and daily to expect him. And this cogitation will quic­ken thee to study for composing thy selfe, and for to meet the Lord: but it is a rash affirmation of that thou [Page 76] knowest not. But if thou doest an­swer thou canst not tell; and there­fore because thou knowest not, that we must watch and pray; thou shalt doe the office both of a good and humble seruant, and so shalt passe the more safe way. For this is the third, accorning to Christs Gospell, Watch yee therefore, for yee kn [...] not. &c. Augustine also saith in the Epistle to Hesychius, and putteth downe three orders or seruants: One saith; Let vs watch and pray, for that the Lord will come quickly: another saith, Let vs watch and pray, for that the Lord will come in­deed slowly; but our life is but short the third saith, Let vs watch and pray, for wee know not when the Lord will come.

But notwithstanding wee know not when the generall end of the World shalbe; yet let vs remember that the end of our (little) world is neare euery one of vs: for wee can­not long liue; Let vs continually watch and pray: Neither imitate [Page 77] that euill seruant, who saith My Lord will delay his comming. The Lord grant that all these things may leaue a deepe impressi­on in the depth of our hearts.

Amen. (⸪)