A. D. 52. and violent Ufe of Temporal Power, even among its own pretended Profeflors *. 4 Who oppofeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped fo that : he as God fitteth in the Temple of God, he is God. 4. Thus will the Chriftian Religion be dealt by, from a Sett of haughty and impious Men, pretending themselves to be the only true Church and People of God; defpifing all other religious Principles befide their own, trampling upon all human Government and Authority, and fetting up their own Inventions and Traditions against the plain Word of God. Such will be the Practice of the Obftinate Jews and the Heretical Chriftians, their Followers, in thefe Times: But much greater and wider will be these Corruptions under the Grand Apoftacy in the Chriftian Church in after Ages, by the Violence of Temporal Power in Religious Matters, under its own pretended Heads and Governours. [Which Apoftacy in the latter Times of the Chriftian Church is fo plainly foretold by the Prophet Daniel-Dan. xi and xii Chapters.] 5. You *That Man of Sin. Some Copies read ris avvouías, The Man of Rebellion, or the lawless Man. So the Jews and those Heretical Chriftians that were tainted with their Notions, might truly be filed, both upon account of their Impiety towards God, and their incurable Proneness to refift their Temporal Powers that Providence had subjected them to. But most Eminently such is that Chriftian Church which takes upon her to Excommunicate all Chriftian Princes, and abfolve their Subjects from all Allegiance to them that fubmit not to her arbitrary Dictates and Ufurpations. See Ver. 4. Against all that is called God, or rißarua, Worship, Refpecting either all other different Religions, or perhaps the Roman Emperor that affected to be Deify'd, and was ftiled Bacò; (August) or laftly, Magiftrates in general, who are called Gods in Scripture. 'Tis not very eafy to determine the particular Sense, and therefore I have expreffed them all. See alfo Le Clerc upon this Place, and the Learned Dr. Hen. More's Mystery of Iniquity, Book II. Chap. 17, 18. See my Paraph, and Note on Revel, xvii. 12, &c: 5 Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what witholdeth, that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work only he who now letteth, will let, until he be taken out of the way. 5. You cannot but remember, A. D. 52. while I was Preaching amongst you, I gave you fome Notices of this Matter, though you now feem to have forgot it. * Claudius. 6 & 7. And you cannot but fee a plain Reafon why this Apoftacy cannot break out immediately. The Jews indeed, for their part, begin already to fhow great Inclinations to Perfecute the Chriftians, and Rebel against the Romans; but that the many Favours conferred on them by the prefent Emperor *; and, at the fame time, his ftrict Eye over them, awes them as yet from openly attempting it, till after His Death; when the Troubles and Disturbances of the Empire will prompt them to it ||. In like manner, Jofephus, while the Government of all Countries continues in the Lib. VI. De Bel. Jud. Hands of none but Heathen Princes, there is no Room for the Grand Chriftian Apoftacy, which is to come in after the Emperors themselves turn Chriftians, and is to be carried on by the Arbitrary Ufe of Temporal Power in Religious Concerns, by Chriftian Governours. 8 And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the with the Spirit of his mouth, and fhall deftroy with the brightnefs of his coming: 'Lord fhall confume 8. When these Things are paft, then will be the Time of God's fevere Judgment upon the Wicked Oppofers and Corrupters of his True Religion. The Jews, their Temple and City, fhall, with a fwift Destruction, Perifh by the Roman Army. But infinitely more Dreadful and Amazing will be the final Punishment of those Lawful Chriftian Governours and Corrupters of the True Faith; Whom God will blaft with the Breath of his Mouth, according to the Prophet's Expreffion, Ifaiah xi. 4. Compare Revelat. xvii. 12, 13, 14, with my Paraph. there. and Matth. xxiv. 24. and fee Pref. to John, § 4. 11 And for this caufe God fhall fend them ftrong delufion, that they thould believe a lye. 11 & 12. For which irreclaimable Corruptions, God, in just Judgment will let them loofe to the prevalent Delufions of falfe Prophets and Pretenders, fo that they will embrace the moft abfurd and foolish Things, and run headlong into fuch defperate Courfes, as muft naturally end in the utter Condemnation and Destruction of a People, loft to all Sense of Truth and Goodness, and devoted to Falfhood and Impiety *. 12 That they all might be damned, who believe not the truth, but had plea. fure in unrighteoufness. See all these Predictions exactly fulfilled, with respect to the Jews, in Jofephus of the Jewish Wars. And they that would fee the fullest and most accurate Account of the Apoftacy fpoken of here, and in other Parts of Scripture, may read Mr. Mede, Dr. Hen. More, and Sir Ifaac Newton. From the Works of which learned and great Men any honest Mind will fee to Whom all these Characters principally belong. See my Paraph. on Revelat. 14 Whereunto he called you by our gofpel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jefus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren ftand faft, and hold the Traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our Epiftle. 16 Now our Lord Jefus Chrift himself, and God even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting confolation, and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and ftablifh you in every good word and work. ple of God, and are affured of all A. D. 52. παρα 15. Continue therefore ftedfast to the Doctrines I have delivered to you, whether by Word dosis. of Mouth, or by thefe my Let ters. 16& CHA P. III. The CONTENTS. He defires them to Pray for his Deliverance from the Malice of the Jews, as He had prayed for Them. Renews his Prayer for their Conftancy and Patience. Exhorts them, by his own Example, to Industry in their Worldly Employments, and to avoid Idleness. Not to fuffer any Chriftians to live a Lazy Life, but to cenfure them, and avoid their Converfation, in order to reclaim them from it. The Salutation and Conclufion. Inally, brethren, pray for us, that I. A ND now, to conclude my L3 the word of the Lord for Me, Brethren, as I have done may for A.D. 52. may have free course, and be glorified even as it is with you. 2 And that we may be delivered from unreafonable and wicked men for all men have not faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who fhall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 4 And we have con- touching you, that ye 5 And the Lord direct your Hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Chrift, * for You, befeeching God to give the 2. Intreat God to prevent the 3 & 4. But be their Infidelity what it will, and their Oppofition never fo ftrong, God will not be wanting to fupport you against all the bad Effects of it: And I fully perfuade my felf, that your own Endeavours will be fuch as cannot fail, through his Affiftance, to keep you firm to the Principles and Practices I have taught you. 5. And may Christ so guide and confirm you in the Love of God and the True Religion, as to render you truly patient under your Sufferings, after his great Example*, and in hopes of his Glorious Appearance to deliver you from, and reward you for them. 6 Now we com mand you, brethren, your 6. I must not forget to warn you, and that by the Authority of Fefus Chrift himself, not to fuffer any Chriftian amongst you to live " *To the patient waiting for Chrift, die izomov rỡ Xposỡ: i. e. Either to the fame kind of patience wherewith Chrift himfelt fuffered; or elfe, With the patient Expectation of Chriff's Coming. I have expreffed both Senfes. |