Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Thessalonians 2:6

6 And now ye know what withholdeth , that he might be revealed in his time .

The Apostle it seems had told them as of his coming, so of what at present withheld the revealing of him. And what this was is difficult to know now, though it seems these Thessalonians knew it, there are many conjectures about it. This I shall say in general. 1. It was something that the Apostle thought not safe openly to declare in writing; else he would not have writ of it so obscurely. 2. It was both a thing, and a person, a thing, [non-Latin text not transcribed], in this verse, that which withholdeth; and a person, as in the next verse, [non-Latin text not transcribed], he which letteth, 3. It was also such a thing and such a person as were to be removed out of the way, not totally, but as they were hindrances of this revelation. Expositors both Popish and Protestant pitch upon the Roman Emperour and Empire as most probably meant here by the Apostle. And therefore he wrote not plainly, least by writing of the taking away that Empire which the Romans thought to be eternal, he might stir up their hatred against the Christians. Some understand it of the removing only the seat of the Emperour from Rome to Constantinople, whereby the Bishop of Rome had opportunity to grow up into greater power. The Popish Writers understand it of the total destruction of the Empire, which because they see not yet done they conclude the man of sin is not yet revealed. Our Protestant Writers understand it only of such a weakning of the Empire and Imperial Dominion, as gave the Bishop and Clergy of Rome advantage to rise up into power both spiritual and secular; as some learned Writers have given an account thereof. When the Empire was broken into ten Kingdoms, the Imperial power of the Emperours was much weakned: and being afterwards united in the Pope as an Ecclesiastical Monarch he grew up, and the Imperial power declined, the grandeur of them both could not stand together. And this is the beast with the ten horns, and ten crowns upon the horns which is spoken of, Rev. 13.1. whereupon this beast ss worshipped, and the voice ss, who is like unto the beast, who is able to make War with him? ver. 4. some of the ancient Fathers had this sense of the Text. See Tertul. l. 4. de resurrect. c. 24. Chrysost. in locum. Aug. de Civ. Dei l. 19. c. 20. Ierom when he heard of the taking of Rome by Alaricus, expected the coming of Antichrist not far off. Whereupon the ancient Church did pray that the Roman Empire might continue long, that his coming might be delayed, Tertul. Apol. c. 32.39. but its now evident how it is faln from what once it was. The Eastern part is under the dominion of the Turk. The Western divided into ten distinct Kingdoms under distinct Government. And in Germany where it is most remaining, the Empire is little more then Titular. And Italy and Rome wholly in the Popes possession: and hence this man of sin hath been long since revealed.

As God appoints seasons for all his works, so for the revealing of him, as also for his ruine.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 letter]old[illegible: 1 letter]th.