The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

IX. Whetenhall and Willet Press Antichrist Identity

Passing with only a word Thomas Whetenhall, whose A Discourse of the Abuses Now in Question in the Churches of Christ, of Their Creeping in, Growing Up, and Flowrishing in the Babilonish Church of Rome (1606) describes “this great Antichrist Papa” as “sitting as God in the Temple of God,” we note AN DREW WILLET (15621621), professor of divinity. Born at Ely, and prebendary there in 1587, Willet wrote Synopsis Papismi (Synopsis of Popery), which was considered one of the ablest discussions of its kind. And in his Hexapla in Danielem (Six fold Commentary on Daniel) the power of Daniel 11:36 ff. is identified as the “antichrist of Rome.” He seems to have been one of those who regarded Antiochus as a mere forerunner of Antichrist, but the pope himself as the real fulfillment. After expanding upon his selfexaltation, Willet identifies him as also the Antichrist of Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 2, sitting in the “Church of God.” He bases this conclusion on an elaborate historical survey of the steps in its rise to power. This is followed by an extensive answer to Bellarmine’s attempt to “wipe away this marke.” ⁶⁷ PFF2 554.5