In the times of the Apostles, some there were who said; although the day and hour of the Lords coming could not be known, 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 revealed; others said, that this was the Apostles doctrine; others did endeavour to persuade this by reasons and conjectures: but the Apostle did surprise such; saying, I beseech you 1even by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our assembling to him that ye be not suddenly moved from your mind, nor troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter, as it were from us, as though the day of Christ were at hand. The Apostle teacheth that these Impostors used three practises for persuasion, that ⟨p. 14⟩the Lords day was hard at hand: First, Revelations, for that they certainly know this by the spirit of Revelation: Secondly, reasons and conjectures; therefore he saith, or by w•••: Thirdly, counterfeit letters and restimonies of the Apostle. But what saith the Apostle? that ye be not suddenly moved away, as though the day of the Lord were at hand, for that unless […] departure come first, &c. he taught that first there must be a general Apostasy, or (as others will have it) a defection of the Roman Empire, and Antichrist to be revealed with […] Kingdom, before the day of the Lord shall come. But how long after the coming of Antichrist shall succeed the end of the world, and the day of the Lord, 100. 1000. or moe years, the Apostle hath not taught: but why? for that neither himself knew, according to that of that day and hour &c. Behold2 what was bruited abroad in the Apostles ages, even amongst the believers, touching the end of the ⟨p. 15⟩world! And that these men were deceived, the thing it self teacheth. After the Apostles times there were not wanting (even) some, who did limit a certain number of years until the second coming of Christ, and end of the world. Amongst the profane Gentiles it was vulgarly bruited, as a Divine Oracle, That the Christian Religion, after Christ began to be honoured, should continue only for the space of 365. years, and then presently to have an end. Saint Augustine relateth this. Tom. 5. de Civitate Dei. lib. 18, c. 53, and showeth how false this was, cap. 54. And because after the end of Christian Religion upon the Earth, forthwith an end of the world shall be;
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 1euen 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 ⟨p. 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. Beholde2 what was bruited abroad in the Apostles ages, euen amongst the beleeuers, touching the end of the ⟨p. 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;
- 12, Thes. 1.
- 2Ma•. 24.
