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CHAP. XI.

This chapter has foretold the overthrow of Perfia by the Greeks, and the invasion of the Romans; fuch as the capture of Babylon, and the reduction of other Provinces, which it may be faid, was completely effected in the reign of Auguftus. Here we read also, the prediction of the different wars which have been carried on between the Perfian and Roman Powers down to the time of Juftinian. For, as Daniel in Chap. II. and VII. has prophecied refpecting one Empire, [Rome] to a specific period; it is fair to conclude, that he was empowered to deliver predictions with regard to the other Empire, [Perfia] and that this has been the case, several Verfes in this chapter, we prefume, are ftriking proofs.

Verse 37. "Neither fhall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the defire of women, nor regard any God: for he shall magnify himself above all."

This verse may be faid to apply to the Apoftacy and Herefy of Juftinian, and to his fantaftic opinion concerning the Body of Christ.

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Verfe

* Justinian was neither fteady nor confiftent in the nice process of fixing his volatile opinions on those of his subjects.

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Verfe 40. "And at the time of the end fhall the King of the South push at him, and the King of the North fhall come against him like a whirlwind with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many fhips, and he fhall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over."

This strongly alludes to the war, which was begun by Chofroes, [Nufhirvan] and to the defence of the Eaft by Belifarius*.

Verfe 41. "He shall enter alfo into the glorious land, and many countries fhall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the Chief of the Children of Ammon.

Verfe 42. "He fhall ftretch forth his hand alfo upon the Countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape."

In his youth he was offended by the flighteft deviation from the orthodox line; in his old age he tranfgreffed the measure of temperate herefy, and the Jacobites, not lefs than the Catholics, were fcandalized by his declaration, that the body of Chrift was incorruptible, and that his manhood was never fubject to any wants and infirmities, the inheritance of our mortal flesh. This fantastic opinion was announced in the laft edicts of Juftinian. Gib. vol. 8, p. 328-9.

* Gib. Vol. 7, p. 311, 12, 13, 14,15.

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Here we find the boundary of the Roman conquefts in Afia laid down, and also an allufion to the Treaty of Peace which was concluded with Chofroes for a term of fifty* years.

Ver. 43. But he fhall have power over the treasures of gold, and of filver, and over all the precious things of Egypt. And the Libyans, and the Ethiopians fhall be at his fteps."

In this verse we read of the alliance of the Abyffinians with Juftinian †, who folicited the friendship of the Ethiopian Ufurper Abraha, who honoured with a flight tribute, the fupremacy of his Prince.

Ver. 45. "And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the feas, in the glorious holy mountain."

This alludes to the completion by Juftinian, of the fortifications § which had been begun by his predeceffor Anaftafius, and to the circumftance of the addition of new fortifications by his indefatigable prudence; fo that the whole extended from the Euxine to the Perfian Frontier.

* Gib. vol. vii. p. 339. Gib. vol. 7, p. 343, 4. § Gib. vpl. 7. p. 129, 33.

CHAP.

CHAP: XII.

The preceding chapter we confider as very closely connected with this. For inftance, in Chap. xi. ver. 45, "Yet he fhall come to his end, and none fhall help him."-The pronoun He, we confider in general to allude to an empire: for whenever he relates to an Emperor, it is folely for the purpose of marking the æra. Therefore the dates in this chapter are to be confidered as the different periods, at which the prophecy in the above verfe will be fulfilled. And as this divine prophet of Our Saviour could not interpret the vifion † he had feen, we have very good reafon to conclude, that no other prophet in the Old Teftament was endued with the knowledge thereof.

Verfe 6. "And one faid to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?

Verse 7. "And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he

* " And I heard, but I understood not."-Ver. 8.

+ "Then I Daniel looked, and behold, there stood other two, the one on this fide of the bank of the river, and the other on that fide of the bank of the river." Verse 5.

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held up his right hand, and his left hand unto Heaven, and fware by him that liveth for ever, that it fhall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to fcatter the power of the holy people, all these things fhall be finished."

Verse 9. "And he said, Go thy way, Daniel : for the words are closed up and fealed till the time of the end."

Verse 11. "And from the time that the daily facrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh defolate set up, there shall be a thoufand, two hundred and ninety days.

Verse 12. "Bleffed is he, that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand, three hundred and five and thirty days."

Our comments on the above verfes will be found in the following pages, as alfo our obfervations refpecting the daily facrifice.

END OF THE FIRST PART.

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