2. Antiochus-Epiphanes, by his introduction upon the
stage, marks the time, when the prophet begins to
speak of the Roman Empire. p. 191.
III. The Empire of Rome. The prophecy, as it respects the
Empire of Rome, treats of five successive periods, through
which it descends, in regular chronological order, to the
final destruction of the antichristian faction and the resto-
ration of the Jews. p. 195.
1. The first period extends, from A.P.C. 70, to A.P.C.
313 and it comprehends the persecutions, which
the Church suffered from Paganism. p. 199.
2. The second period extends, from A.P.C. 313, to
A.P.C. 604 and it comprehends the help afforded
by Constantine, and marks out the rapidly increas-
ing spirit of interested secularity. p. 200.
3. The third period extends, from A.P.C. 604, to A.P.C.
1697 and it comprehends the persecutions, which
the Church suffered from Popery. p. 202.