A Key of Knowledge to Open Revelation, Part 4 · Chapter 6 · Notes 10

A Key of Knowledge to Open Revelation · Part 4 · Chapter 6 · Notes 10

p. 217Notes vponupon Chap. 13.

Verſ. 1. And I ſtood vponupon the ſand of the ſea: Theſe words ſhew, that Iohn was in a conuenient place, and there ſtood prepared, to behold what was next to bee ſhewed vntounto him. To ſtand on the ſea ſand, is to bee in a fit place, to ſee what commeth out of the ſea; places are giuen (as a conuenient helpe) to ſee what is to be ſeene, chap. 17. 1. 3. and 21. 10.

A beast riſe out of the ſea: Alluſion to Dan. 7. 3. Sea and earth, are in the former chapter the places granted to the diuell to walke in, (being caſt out of heauen, chap. 12. 9. 12.) from whence this beaſt, and the other, verſ. 11. doe ariſe, both from Satan; though ſea bee giuen to this, and earth to the other, which in Daniel are made the originall to the ſelfe ſame foure beaſts. For in Dan. 7. they are ſaid to ariſe out of the ſea, verſ. 3. and the ſame are ſaid to ariſe alſo out of the earth, verſ. 17. By which wee may ſee, one and the ſame may in one reſpect be ſaid to come out of the ſea, and in another reſpect to ariſe out of the earth; ſo it is in this place, keeping the alluſion to Daniell.

p. 218A beaſt: A ſtate and kingdome is ſo called, Dan. 7. and 8: what ſtate I take this to be is largely before ſhewed. Riſe vp: As by the helpe of others, ſo not without his owne endeuour, hee is not ſaid to be raiſed, but to riſe vp; for this beaſt ſought ſupremacie with might and maine. Out of the ſea: This beaſt is the ſame that is mentioned, chap. 11. 7. and 17. 8, aſcending out of the bottomleſſe pit, as bred and brought vp of the diuell in a moſt ſecret and hidden manner, as out of a bottomleſſe pit, paſt finding out his firſt conception: but now here ariſeth out of the ſea, which is alſo called a depth, Geneſ. 1. 1. Pſal. 104. 6. Antichriſtianiſme is a deep myſtery in the conception, and in the growing, both in depths; the one as in the bottomleſſe pit, the other as in the deepe of the ſea, not ſeene, nor diſcerned by mens eyes or vnderſtanding: of the interpretation of the ſea, ſee chap. 8. 9. Or perhaps by ſea, here may bee meant a troubled or vnquiet condition of people and nations, great commotions and alterations, out of which, as out of a troubled ſea, the Popedome aroſe; ſo the foure beaſts in Dan. chap. 7. 2. 3. Hauing ſeuen heads, and ten hornes, as the Dragon had, chap. 12. 3: for the ſeate and dignitie is Romane, being hills & Kings, chap. 17. 9. And vponupon his hornes ten Crownes: Here is a difference from the Dragon; the Crownes were vponupon his heads; but here on the hornes, which are Kings at one houre with this ſtate, chap. 17. 11: but not any with the Dragon. And vponupon his heads Of blaſphemie ſee M^r. Sheldon of Antichriſts miracles. pag. 171.the name of blaſphemy. The Dragon had no crownes on his hornes, but crownes on his heads; this hath p. 219crowns on his hornes, and blaſphemy on his heads, wherein he is worſe then the Dragon; which ſheweth, that the Dragon made Rome great in Soueraigntie, but this beaſt maketh it notable in impietie.Marke this ye Romaniſts. So much worſe is the Popedom, then the Heathen Empire.

Verſ. 2. The beaſt, a very monſter like diuers terrible beaſts, of which alſo I hauehave before deliuered my minde. Hee is the Dragons ſubſtitute in three things, in power, ſeate, and great authoritie.

Ver. 3. One of his heads (as it were) wounded to death: This was by warre, as verſ. 14 telleth vsus. Though by heads be vnderſtood hills or kings, chap. 17. 9; yet here cannot be vnderſtood by this head a hill, but a king or kingly gouernment, for this is capable of a wound; which wound was giuen by the barbarous Nations, Gothes, Vandals and Hunnes, by whom Rome came almoſt to vtter deſtruction, after the riſing of this beaſt out of the ſea, which had receiued this wound, as ſome thinke, in the ſixth head, that is the Caeſars; others in the ſeuenth head, the Popes, or Biſhops of Rome, and it may ſeeme to be that head, which maketh this beaſt to be that which it is; for in verſe 14 this beaſt himſelfe is ſaid to hauehave receiued this deadly wound, and in this verſe it is called his deadly wound; as being ſo vponupon the head, as the wound thereof was (as it were) deadly to y^e whole ſtate, that is, to this beaſt himſelfe, which is alſo called the eighth, and one of the ſeuen, chap. 17. 11. Was healed: That is, got his power, ſeate and great authoritie in the view of the world, which ſeemed before to be vtterly p. 220loſt; for ſo the words following may ſtrengthen this expoſition: firſt, by the worlds wondring at ſo rare a change and recouerie. Secondly, at their worſhipping of the Dragon for his power, ſeate, and great authoritie giuen to the beaſt. And thirdly, by their worſhipping of the beaſt, whom they now ſaw ſo powerfull after the healing of the wound. All the world: An vniuerſall apoſtaſie to Antichriſtianiſme. Wondred: That is, followed wondring, ſo as they gaue themſelues ouer wholly to bee led thereby, partly with admiration, ſaying, Who is like the beaſt? and partly with feare, ſaying, Who is able to warre with him? verſ. 4.

Verſ. 5. Alluſion to Dan. 7. 25. Here is the beaſts power, his blaſphemie, his deedes and dominion, ſet downe from this verſe to the end of verſ. 8, well declaring, why this ſtate is compared to a beaſt, and ſuch a monſtrous one too, as hath been noted, of which this and the verſes following are a Commentarie.

Verſ. 11. Here is the beaſt (the Pope) ſet out; or as the Papiſts themſelues confeſſe, that very Antichriſt, though they would hauehave him to be another then the Pope. But I hauehave before ſhewed at large, that this is that Antichriſt the Pope. Another in ſort from the former, as is onelyonly the head from the body, and the king from his kingdome; but in chap. 17. 11, they are made both one, and do both come out of Satans dominion, chap. 12. 12. This beaſt is the vpholder of the glorie and honour of the other, as is cleere from verſes 14. 15. 16. 17. They practice together, chap. 16. 13, they dye together, p. 221chap. 19. 20; for this ſecond beaſt, called alſo the falſe Prophet, and the firſt beaſt are ſo linked together, that indeede they doe make but one whole compleat and monarchical gouernment, to which the pontificians themſelues agree: See Viega in Apo. cap. 13. ſect. 6.

Comming vp out of the earth: He had an earthly orignall by earthly men, and earthly meanes to rule vponupon the earth: for as hee fell from heauen, chap. 9. 1, to the earth, ſo hee ruleth ouer it, as the next verſe ſheweth. Two hornes: Hornes are power, Pſal. 18. Dan. 8. Two hornes then are a double power, ouer the ſea, and ouer the earth, for the Dragon had power ſo, chap. 12. 12, which hee gaue to the firſt beaſt, verſ. 2. and this beaſt tooke all that power, which the firſt receiued; for the Dragon, that beaſt, and this here, are all as one, chap. 16. 13: for the firſt beaſt receiueth power, ſeate, and great authoritie from the Dragon, and this ſpeaketh as the Dragon. The Diuell and the Pope that Antichriſt are ſo like, as father and ſonne may be; for his luſts doth he, Ioh. 8, as may bee ſeene by comparing the Pope with the Diuell.

And thus wee ſee, how like the Diuell the Pope is; as in theſe, ſo in many other points, which only for breuitie ſake I omit to ſet downe.

p. 224Verſ. 12. Exerciſeth all the power of the former beaſt: His power was the Dragons power, verſ. 2. What therefore the Dragon had, the firſt beaſt obtained, and this putteth in execution; ſo as this beaſt acteth and doth all, whatſoeuer the other could doe, and ſo as much as the Dragon did before. And full like are the Popes to the Heathen Emperours.

Thus we ſee alſo, how the Heathen Tyrants and theſe tyrannicall Popes agree in one, as led by the Diuell their father vntounto all miſchiefes againſt the Church of Chriſt. But as the one ſort are vtterly periſhed from among men, ſo ſhall the other in p. 226time, and their deſtruction haſteneth. Now when Lord! how long Lord, holy and true! doeſt thou not iudge and auenge our bloud on them, that dwell vponupon the earth? chap. 6. 10.

Before him▪ That is, as I conceiue it, in the chiefe ſeate of this his dominion, and now Popely Empire. For the face of a ſtate and dominion (which this beaſt ſetteth out) is that place, where all the lawes and decrees are made, and from whence they come foorth into all parts of that dominion, as from Babylon, and Suſan, the chiefe of theſe Emperials, and ſo from Rome in this. And we doe ſee that Antichriſt the Pope his acts and exerciſe of his authoritie and power is at Rome, which is (as it were) before and in the face of his Popedome. And cauſeth the earth: He came out of the earth, that is, out of ſuch an earth, as hee can cauſe to worſhip him; euen the falſe and counterfeit Church, and thoſe that dwell therein, of whom is ſpoken verſ. 8. there it is ſaid, that they worſhip him; here ſhewed by whom they are brought vntounto it. To worſhip the firſt beaſt: This beaſt is all for that other beaſt, as is euident in all the words following; which ſheweth that this beaſts honour ſtood in aduancing the honour of the other to the vtmoſt. Which therefore cannot be the Heathen Romane Empire, but the Popedome, which the Antichriſt the Pope ſeeketh by all meanes to vphold, as his glorie and kingdome, which was, as the words ſhew, after his wound receiued and healed, of which in verſ. 3.

Verſ. 13. Here is ſhewed how hee cauſed worſhip to the beaſt, and honour thereby to himſelfe, p. 227by playing the part of a ſeducer, and falſe prophet, as he is called, chap. 16. 13. and 19. …0. Theſe wonders are no true miracles; for by … bee deceiued the earth, verſ. 14. and they are called, chap. 18. 23. ſorceries, and by Saint Paul, lying wonders, the working of Satan, 2. Theſ. 2. 9. 10. Hee maketh fire come downe: An inſtance of one miracle or wonder for all. This inſtance is giuen before any other, for that fire comming from heauen, was a miraculous act of God for confirmation of his true worſhip, and of ſuch as were true worſhippers of him, Leuit. 9. 24. 1. King. 18. 38. 2. Chron. 7. 1. 2. King. 1. 10. 12. and therefore the diuell makes his vicegerent to doe this, to make men beleeue hee is not inferiour to the Prophets, and that he hath power in the heauens. Howſoeuer the words may bee taken figuratiuely, for the lightening of excommunication; yet heere it ſhall not bee amiſſe to take them after the letter, for here is mention of wonders and miracles; and Saint Paul foretelleth that Antichriſt by the diuell ſhall doe miracles, 2. Theſ. 2. Saint Iohn alſo telleth vsus in this prophecie, of ſorceries, chap. 18. 23. Yea Papiſts doe bragge of their miracles to this day; and wee doe reade of their fained miracles, and that alſo in this kind of wonders, done by fire, whereof Eglinus giueth particular inſtances from ſtories, in his commentarie vponupon this place, and ſo ſome other; ſee Maſter Sheldon, that zealous conuert, his ſuruey of Popes myracles, cap. 10. pag. 229. and. 163.

Verſ. 14. Saying, that they ſhould make an Image: Heere is ſhewed whereto the miracles of this falſe p. 228prophet tended. With his miracles hee teacheth curſed doctrine, to make an Image to the beaſt. This cannot be properly vnderſtood of an Image or picture, as we commonly take the word Image; for this is an Image, which the inhabitants of the earth muſt make; this is then no caruers or ingrauers worke: ſuch an Image it muſt bee, as ſhould liue and ſpeake, and cauſe men to bee put to death that would not worſhip it. I hauehave before ſaid of this ſomewhat, in the third chapter, of this preparatiue. The Beaſt, verſ. 1. is the Popedome, this other beaſt is the Pope and head in this Popedome, to which, by falſe doctrine and miracles hee obtaineth of them that dwell on the earth, an Image to be made, not an Image of him; for that beaſt being aliue, and cured of the wound receiued, and this beaſt being in his preſence, ver. 12. it was needleſſe to make an Image of him, whom all the world ſo beheld and followed after, verſ. 3. but an Image to him, that is, ſome repreſentation of high ſtate to vphold this Popedome: which Image all ſhould worſhip, in honour of the Popedome, hauing power to make and ordaine lawes by the Popes authority, (for he muſt giuegive life and ſpeech thereunto, elſe it is to be a dumbe Idoll, and may neither moue nor ſpeake without him, as the next verſe ſheweth) to all this new Roman ſtate. Let here the wiſe and learned iudge of this Image, that are acquainted with the ſtories of the Popes, and Romiſh Church. Firſt, The Pope had not power to make it of himſelfe, but hee muſt get others to make it. Secondly, hee muſt cauſe it to bee made, p. 229not by force, but by ſorceries, and deceitfull miracles. Thirdly, this hee chiefly ſought to bring to paſſe, as without which he could doe nothing, and this by his wonders, and by his words, as the text ſheweth. Fourthly, hee obtained it at the hands of thoſe earthly Chriſtians. Fifthly, being made, it receiueth life and ſpeech from him that could not make it, and they that made it, had yet no power to make it breathe, or ſpeake at all. Sixthly, this Image he vpheld, & the worſhip and honour thereof with all his might, cauſing it to ſpeake, and to make as many as would not worſhip it, to be ſlaine. Seuenthly. This the faithfull oppoſe and preuaile againſt, chap. 15. 2. and 20. 4. which the wicked worldlings are ouercome with, and ſo periſh vnderunder Gods horrible plagues, cap. 14. 9-11.

Verſ. 15. Cauſed as many as would not worſhip the Image of the beast, ſhould be ſlaine: An alluſion to Nabuchadnezzars tyrannie, Dan. 3. 6. 20. That which before was ſaid to be the Image to the beaſt, (becauſe it was for the honour of that ſtate to vphold it, without which it could not hauehave been continued) is here ſaid to be the Image of the beast; for that the Popedome now by the making of it, and the power thereof was (as it were) repreſented to all, adored and worſhipped, as Idolaters doe the Image of their God.

Verſ. 16. The Pope hauing gotten this Image made, and thereby eſtabliſhed ſtrongly his Popedome, now hee vſurpeth authority ouer all, and brandeth them for his owne, as being their Lord and maſter: for it is ſaid, that now hee cauſeth all p. 230both ſmall and great, rich and poore, free and bond that is, all ſorts, of all orders and degrees, from the Emperour to the peſant, (ſo large and ample a dominion hath he gotten) to receiue a marke; which was by this beaſt, or his inſtruments put vponupon them, and they made as his ſubiects to receiue, for to diſtinguiſh them from others, and to be known to belong vntounto (the beaſt) the Popes kingdome. A marke: the word is taken for a carued or a grauen worke, Act. 17. 29. but cannot ſo bee here, for the Popes ſubiects receiue no viſible or corporall imprinted marke vponupon them. This marke is called the marke of the beaſt, chap. 16. 2. that is, the marke of the Popes, and Antichriſts dominion, that Romiſh ſtate; it is alſo called the marke of his name, chap. 14. 11. ſo that this marke is ſuch a thing, as maketh him that receiueth it, to bee one of that body and ſtate, for it is the marke of the beaſt. And the ſame perſon alſo thereby is cauſed to carrie the name of that beaſt and ſtate vponupon him, for it is the marke of his name. So then this marke doth make him truly the Popes, in name & ſubiection; it is (wee may ſee from the text) a marke of the whole ſtate; a marke bearing the name of that ſtate; a marke ſo neceſſary, and ſo generally fit for all, as the Pope cauſeth all ſorts to receiue it; a marke which Chriſts flocke eſcapeth, chap. 15. 2. and refuſeth to receiue. chap. 20. 4; a marke which who ſo willingly and wittingly receiueth, and not caſteth off, ſhall periſh, ca. 14. 11. Now this being a marke of the whole ſtate, and a marke of the name thereof; it is neceſſary before wee can know p. 231the marke, to know the beaſt and his name firſt. The beaſt is not this ſecond beaſt, in verſ. 11. which is the very Antichriſt; but is the other firſt beaſt, verſ. 1. which is the Romane ſtate vnderunder the Pope, as is already declared: therefore this character is not the marke of the perſon of Antichriſt, the ſecond beaſt; but of his kingdome and ſtate, the firſt beaſt: neither therefore is the name a mans name, but the name of this ſtate; and not a name giuen of other men, as they ſhall pleaſe to call it, but what Antichriſt the Pope, this ſecond beaſt, ſhall like and allow of; yea and ſo allow of, as they that refuſe it, or the character of it, or the number of it, ſhall bee reſtrained of their liberty in common trafficke, verſ. 16. Now then this beaſts name, the Romiſh Antichriſtian dominion vnderunder the Pope, is (as they would hauehave it called and eſteemed) the Apoſtolike Church, or the Romane Catholi…e Church. The Beaſts name.This is the name of the Popedome, which the Pope (that Antichriſt) of Rome would hauehave giuen to it, and chalengeth as proper to his hierarchicall iuriſdiction, and to his emperiall ſtate; thus I ſuppoſe we hauehave the name. Now the marke of that Romane Catholike Church, or the marke of the name of the beaſt, of which all ſorts are capable, ſmall and great, rich and poore, free and bond; and therefore a common marke to any of them, which is Saint Peters keyes, branching out it ſelfe in eueryeveryThe Beaſts marke. maine Antichriſtian doctrine, eueryevery counterfeit ſacrament, idolatrous practice, ſuperſtitious inuention, canon, or decree, contrary to Gods word, made and confirmed by the generall conſent and p. 232authority of that ſee, called Romane Catholicke Church; and receiued by that onelyonly authority: for in al and eueryevery of theſe is a marke of the name and authority of that beaſt, which his ſubiects doe receiue in their right hand, when they doe practice the ſame in ſubiection to that ſtate; and in their foreheads, when they doe make open profeſſion thereof. Let none except againſt this, for that here many particulars are noted, when in text a marke ſingularly is mentioned; for they are all but branches of Peters keyes, that one marke of that abſolute and vnlimited power of the beaſt, and eueryevery one a marke of that ſtate, with theſe circumſtances concurring; that is, that it be a generall tenent of that Church; that it be contrary to Gods word; that it bee impoſed by the authority of that Romiſh Church; that in ſubiection to the ſame it bee receiued, profeſſed, and practiſed. Hee that receiueth ſo any one of the particulars, following withall the beaſt, and worſhipping his Image; (for that is to be preſuppoſed before he receiue the marke, as being impoſed by Antichriſt (as we here ſee) only on ſuch), he hath the marke of his name, is held by him one of his; and ſo wee alſo account eueryevery ſuch a one to be a Papiſt, Romaniſt, or Romane Catholike.

Verſ. 17. No man might buy or ſell: (Rome, or Romane dition, a trading place; all there, for money) ſaue hee that had the marke, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. The marke of his name is firſt, as being indeed the chiefe, and onelyonly (as it were), maketh the proper ſubiects of that p. 233kingdome; therefore it is ſaid, that hee cauſeth them to receiue the marke, but not ſo the name and number (though ſuch as hauehave not theſe cannot trafficke amongſt them) and they that receiue the marke are threatened with damnation, chap. 14. 9. 11. as being of thoſe, whoſe names are not written in the Lambes booke of life, verſ. 8. Yo hauehave the name of the beaſt, is to be accounted a Romane Catholicke, after the name of the beaſt, as before is noted; which name is better eſteemed then the name of a Chriſtian, a louer of the Goſpell, a child of God, a beleeuer in Chriſt: take all the names in Gods booke, and reiect this one, there is no buying or ſelling with them; and this is a ſecond ranke of Papiſts. The number of his name: Heere is the third ſort of the Popes ſubiects, ſome hauehave the marke, ſome but the name, and not the marke; other ſome onelyonly the number of the name, and ſo ſeeme to bee the vtmoſt ranke or ſort of Antichriſtians. This number of the beaſts name, is ſuch a number, as the Pope liketh well of; for whoſoeuer hath this number, is admitted to be among them, as well as they that hauehave the marke, and name: of all which he is the inuentor, hee cauſeth the Image to be made, he inuenteth the marke, hee giueth the name, and findeth out a number for the name of the beaſt; which at leaſt ſuch as hauehave not the marke or name muſt needes hauehave, or elſe not to come where hee hath to doe. What this number is, is ſhewed in the next verſe, for the number of the beaſt, and the number of his name is all one; as we ſee before the marke of the beaſt, and the marke of p. 234the name of the beaſt to be all one, cap. 14. 11. cap. 16. 2. both which (to wit, the marke and number) the faithfull eſcape from, chap. 15. 2. Therefore as in the Image and marke is impiety, ſo alſo in the number, though the perill be not ſo great to hauehave the number, as to worſhip the beaſt and his Image and to receiue his marke; becauſe theſe onelyonly are ſeuerely threatened with dreadfull vengeance, chap. 14. 9. 10. 11. and not the other; yet is there euill enough in it, ſeeing it is part of the praiſes of the faithfull, that they get victory ouer the number of the beaſts name, chap. 15. 2. and that the Pope can like them ſo well, that hauehave this number; which therefore muſt alſo needs bee a thing knowne to him, and that which withall maketh thoſe openly known to him that hauehave it, that they thereby may be admitted to buy and ſell, as well as they that hauehave receiued the marke of the beaſt, and his name.

Verſ. 17. Heere is wiſedome: that is, heauenly wiſedome, for this is the wiſedome which the holy ſpirit commendeth, and here is required to the vnfolding of this point in hand. Let him that hath vnderſtanding count: Here men of vnderſtanding and endued with wiſedome, are ſtirred vp to reckon and count the number of the beaſt, or the number of his name, which is all one. The beaſt is the firſt beaſt, and therfore the number of the beaſt is the number of that Romane ſtate vnderunder the Pope, or the number of the name of that ſtate, that is, the number of the Romane Catholicke Church, if that may be the name of the beaſt. For it is the p. 235number of a man: that is, which a man may number, comming within the vnderſtanding of a man endued with wiſedome; for theſe words may bee put for encouraging of him that hath vnderſtanding, to fall to make the count: or, it is the number of a man, that is, of mans deuiſing, euen of Antichriſts, as alſo the Image and marke, and name of the beaſt were; and therefore there is great ſubtilty in the number, which needeth a wiſe man, and of vnderſtanding to count and reckon the number. This being the expoſition, the words are brought in as a reaſon why it ſhould be ſaid, that here is wiſdome, and why a man of vnderſtanding is needfully required to count the number; euen becauſe of Antichriſt, that man of ſinne, his ſubtelty, in deuiſing of the beaſts number, or his names number, and this number of the beaſt, being the ſubtillyinuented number of a man, is ſixe hundred threeſcore and ſixe; which being a bare propounded number to a ſtate, and to the name thereof, without mentioning of times, perſons, or things, which by this might be numbred, (as to ſay 666. dayes, monethes, or yeeres, as wee ſee in all the numbers noted, in chap. 11. 3. and 9. 5. and chap. 12. 6. and chap. 20. 3; Or to ſay 666. perſons, as in cap. 5. 11. and … 16; Or to ſay 666. things, as in chap. 21. 14. 17.) declareth a full deepe myſterie heerein, from all other numbers mentioned in this prophecie.

Diuers are the minds of men concerning this number of the beaſt, which the ſubiects of Antichriſt muſt hauehave, as Iohn prophetically foretels in the former verſe; and heere plainly telleth vsus what p. 236that number is, if we had wiſedome to count▪ it. There are to be read many and ſundry interpretations; and of theſe, one ſaith, it is a military number of the ancient Romane legion; ſo Doctor Simonds, in his piſgah. euang. pag. 120. 121. Another, that it is the profound wiſedome of the canon law, in the booke of Decretals, as Iunius vponupon this place: a third maketh it the time of Antichriſt, as Eglinus commenting on this verſe; when one ſhould take vponupon him, firſt the title of vniuerſal Biſhop, which is the ſtile of Antichriſt; and this was Boniface the third, as our learned Soueraigne ſheweth in his Highneſſe Apologie, pag. 93. which title was fully ſetled vponupon the Pope, about the yere 666. A fourth, that hereby is pointed out a name in the old Teſtament, ſetting out by it, Antichriſt; for by a poſterity of 666. we may finde Eſdr. 2. 13. Adonikam, that is, a Lord ſtanding vp; ſo Maſter Broughton, in both his ſhort, and now alſo in his laſt and large Commentarie on this booke. A fifth, that it is a name of number, the letters, of which it is made being numerall, containing in them this number, 666. Of this opinion are the moſt, yet differ euen to an aſtoniſhment in me. Some will hauehave an Hebrew name, as Romagnoſh, (Romanus, a Hee Pope) or Romiiith, (Romana, perhaps a ſhee Pope): ſome a Greeke name, and this one word, as foreign, or two words, as foreign, or three words, as foreign, and ſuch like, of which are many other in commentaries, both of Proteſtants and Papiſts to bee found, eſpecially of the Ieſuites, Ribera and Bla. Viegas. Some a Latine name, p. 237as Diclux, generalis dei vicarius in terris, all which words muſt containe by the letters of number in them 666. as for plainneſſe ſake, thus:

And ſo of all the reſt, which men hauehave ſuppoſed to be the beaſts name, whether the names bee Hebrew, Greeke, or Latine, they containe letters expreſſing this number of 666. A ſixth, that this number ſetteth out the comely proportion of the whole frame, ſtructure and building of that beaſt the Popedome, the kingdome of that Antichriſt, (the man of ſinne his inuention) in all the parts well agreeing and compacted together, each part anſwering and fitly agreeing, as this number doth within it ſelfe.

Now which of all theſe come nigheſt vntounto the truth of this point, and the meaning of the holy Ghoſt, I dare not ſet downe, all of them being the opinions of learned men; onelyonly I will freely tel, to which of them all I encline, with my reaſons, leauing eueryevery man to Gods guiding to like, as hee ſhall be enlightened, by well weighing ſome certaine obſeruations out of the text, moſt neceſſary to be prefixed, and for eueryevery one to be acquainted p. 238with, for guiding of his iudgement, either to finde out ſome other thing, or rightly to diſcerne of theſe opinions already ſet downe. The obſeruations are th…ſe▪ I. That the number is the number of the … … of the ſecond; and therefore is … number of the ſtate, and nor of the perſon ruling … ſtate. II. That the ſecond beaſt greatly …, for it getteth them that beare it▪ freedome to buy and ſell within that ſtate, and exem… …em from the diſpleaſure of Antichriſt. III. That this muſt be a knowne number, both to Antichriſt to diſcerne his fauourites by, to giuegive them leaue to buy and ſell, (as well as they that hauehave the marke and name), as alſo to Chriſts ſeruants, who muſt ſtriue againſt it, and get alſo the victory ouer it, cap. 15. 2. IV. That the beaſts name, and the number of his name are plainly diſtinguiſhed. So that, albeit the beaſts number, and the number of his name bee one, yet not ſo his name, and the number of his name; for the text cleerly maketh the marke, tee name, and the number to differ; and therfore it is ſaid the marke, or the name, or the number of the name; ſo as ſome may hauehave the marke of his name; ſome his name, and ſome onelyonly the number of his name, as before is noted. V. That there is great wiſedome required here. VI. That this wiſedome and vnderstanding ſtand … counting the number of the beaſt, which is 666. and not in finding the firſt beaſt his name, or number, which many ſhall hauehave, verſ. 17. nor in finding a mans name, that is (as ſome expound it) Antichriſts name, and ſo this number of 666. in p. 239that name; for firſt, neither in this propheci…, nor elſewhere in the Scriptures, hath Antichriſt any proper name giuen vntounto him. Secondly▪ the text here ſaith, that the number of the beaſt is the number of a man; it ſaith not either a mans name, or a number in his name. Thirdly, by ſeeking out a mans name, viz. Antichriſts name; ſuch leaue the name of the firſt beaſt and ſtate, of which onelyonly the text ſpeaketh, and ſeeke the name of the ſecond beaſt, of which there is not one word in the text. Fourthly and laſtly, wee may as well ſeeke a marke in his name, as a number in it, for that it is as well ſaid, the marke of his name, chap. 14. 11. as heere in verſ. 17. the number of his name▪ now none hauehave endeauoured to ſeeke a marke in his name, and yet the ground is as good for it, as to ſeeke a number in his name. Theſe are the obſeruations to bee taken for our direction in this point of wiſedome; all, and eueryevery of which, the words of the text, in the 17, and 18. verſes do cleerly affoord vntounto vsus without any wreſting.

Now touching mine owne mind, it leadeth me to approue of the ſixth and laſt opinion ſet downe; not of any louelove of no…eltie (though it be the opinion of one man, and the firſt that I read of, ſo taking this place, albeit (perhaps) occaſioned from Iunius his words vponupon this verſe), but for that it is (in my poore apprehenſi… … likelieſt truth. It may bee, vponupon theſe for…r … obſeruations laid downe, that other ſhall concei… … what elſe; yet let none bee offended, that of all theſe, I make my choyce for the preſent of this vponupon probable p. 240coniectures. The whole body and frame of Antichriſts kingdome is ſet out in this number 666. the beaſts number. This number runneth all on ſixe eueryevery way; ſixe in vnities, in tens, and in hundreds. Now this number of ſixe, hath it perfection (of which Iunius hath written vponupon this verſe at large) and is the firſt perfect number, of which Boniface the eighth ſpeaketh, in the preface of the ſixth booke of the Decretals; which booke hee calleth the ſixth, becauſe it is a perfect number, and for that being added to the fiue other before, maketh the perfect volume, containing (as he ſaith) a perfect platforme for the gouernment of affaires, and a perfect diſcipline, for the rule of good manners. Thus we ſee the Popes high account of this number of ſixe, of which this number of 666. conſiſteth, notably ſetting out this Antichriſtian kingdome. I. This number is a number of perfection, ſo that ſtate in their account, a moſt perfect ſtructure and building. II. This number, though it differ in degrees from 6. to 60. and from 60. to 600. yet it holdeth in the perfect vnity, keeping the number of ſixe; ſo that ſtate hath degrees one greater then another, as much as 60. is a greater number then 6. and 600. greater then 60; yet keepe they all the number of ſixe, that is, as they call it, their vnitie both to their perfect head, their Pope, who, as they hold, cannot erre, and to his perfect decrees, without any ſects or ſchiſmes among them. III. The decrees in this number ariſe without any diſproportion, by a like fit proportion in eueryevery part of the number, from one degree to another. For p. 241looke what is betweene 6. and 60. the ſame, in the rule of multiplication, is betweene 60. and 600. So (as they make the world beleeue) in that ſtate in all the frame thereof, there is ſuch a comely order, and faire proportion, as might allure all men thereunto; if the parts bee conſidered from the loweſt to the higheſt, from their vnities to their tens, and from their tens to their hundreds. IV. This number in the degrees is raiſed by tens, from ſixe of vnities, to ſixe of hundreds, without which, this number ſo proportionally could not be raiſed. Ten is Gods number in giuing of his Lawes, Exod. 20. and Ten is his number, for the vpholding of his worſhip and ſeruice, performed by his ſeruants the Prieſts and Leuites, for their maintenance, Leuitic. 27. 30. 31. 32. So this Romane ſtate hath been raiſed vp from the ſixe of vnities, that is, from their ſmal beginnings, vnderunder pretence of perfection (euen their number of ſix) to their ſixties, and ſixe hundreds, by tenths claimed on Gods behalfe (but moſt vniuſtly) for the ſeruice and worſhip, which thoſe Antichriſtian Prieſts would ſeeme to performe vntounto him. Thus wee ſee, how this number is the number of the beaſt, ſetting out the whole frame and body of that ſtate; this is the number which that ſecond beaſt (the Pope) liketh of; this is a knowne number to all that hauehave any knowledge of that Romane ſtate; here alſo is wiſedome required: and by this which is ſaid, it may appeare, that this wiſedom ſtandeth in the wel counting of this number, which is to finde it (for all this goodly accord, order, proportion, p. 242and pretence of pietie (all which are in this number) to be onelyonly the number of a man, that is, a platforme of a ſtate deuiſed by man, euen that man of ſinne. This is the number which the godly get victorie ouer, chap. 15. 2, and by counting the ſame, finde it a number without valuing of any thing; and ſo to be reiected as a number of nothing, altogether differing from Gods number ſet downe in the next chapter, which is 144000, which at the firſt view may not ſeeme ſo proportionable a number as 666, in which yet there is no compariſon, this differing from that in three things. Firſt in the framing vp of the building, Gods number riſeth on twelues, for this number 144000 is the number of twelue times twelue in chap. 7, to ſhew, that the Church and kingdome of Chriſt is raiſed vponupon the doctrine of the twelue Apoſtles: therefore is eueryevery part of the number at the firſt raiſed aboue twelue, declaring that nothing commeth into his Church to bee of account with God, till it come aboue twelue, that is, till it bee laid vponupon the true foundation. The beaſts number beginneth before it come at twelue, of which number it cannot bee raiſed; that kingdome hath not the doctrine of the twelue Apoſtles to begin it with, or to raiſe it vponupon; but indeed the inuentions of men and humane traditions. Yet here note, that twelue may be found in this number, but neither the number in the foundation which is but ſixe, nor in the raiſing vp of the number by tens, but only in the number multiplied; as ten times ſixe, and ten times ſixtie, ſo is twelue to be often found, but this is ſecret p. 243and hidden; to ſhew, that albeit that ſtate be neither built nor raiſed vponupon the twelue Apoſtles doctrine, yet is it hidden for the elect ſake within that ſtate for their edification; or elſe it may bee found in the number by addition, as 6 and 6 doe make 12; where 12 is outward ſo and apparent, and yet but ſo once neither, to bee found in the whole number, and that by breaking of the order through addition, when otherwiſe there is onelyonly numeration and multiplication. Teaching hereby this, that as in three 666 is outwardly but 12 once, and that by addition too; ſo that ſtate, though it hauehave within it often the number of twelue, that is, the doctrine of the Apoſtles hidden for the elect ſake; yet outwardly it hath it but once, that is, that doctrine is the leaſt part of the building of that ſtate, and alſo not to be found, but vponupon the diſordering of the ſame, ſetting it out of the proper frame of it owne number and count. Secondly this number differeth from Gods number in the figure, for 144000 maketh by twelues a ſquare number of equall ſides, ſuch is the figure of the new Ieruſalem, chap. 21. 16, to ſhew the ſtable and vnmoueable ſtate of the Church of Chriſt, holding in the building, and alſo in the figure and whole frame thereof, the Apoſtles doctrine; the number of ten is Gods nūber for the maintenance of his Church, but only the number of 12 to found it, proportion the parts, and to reare it vp. Now the beaſts number cannot be made in full proportion ſquare, it is but a tottering ſtate, a kingdome that ſhall be ſhaken, and periſh for euer. It is a ſtate that howſoeuer p. 244it hath a number, yet can it not endure the reed of Gods word to meaſure it by, as the Lords building will, chap. 11. 1. and 21. 15; for they wel know, that it hath not the Apoſtles doctrine written in holy Scriptures for the foundation thereof. I hirdly, the beaſts number differs in this, that Gods number beginneth the firſt figure of valuation in the fourth place, the ſquare number, chap. 21. 16, and not at meere vnities, nor at tens, or hundreds; but at thouſands, and multiplieth into thouſands, ſhewing, that Gods Church beginneth in a ſolid communion and fellowſhip of many not to be diminiſhed; and ſo increaſeth with the increaſing of God into thouſands of tens, and thouſands of hundreds, though not into ten thouſand times ten thouſand, and thouſands of thouſands (the Angels number, chap. 5. 11.) here in this life; for that is the perfection of their number with the Angels in the life to come. The Beaſts number beginneth at meere vnities, and aſcendeth to tens and hundreds; but neuer attaineth to the fourth place, the ſquare number, nor to the number of a thouſand, in this number here of 666, which is the figuratiue number of that ſtate, (though otherwiſe the world follow after the Beaſt), to ſhew, that the vnitie of that Church ariſeth not from the communion of many primarily, but by ſimple vnities or ones, that is, by the vpriſing of the Popes one after another; not in the fourth place of thouſands, a ſolid encreaſe, but by little and little to the certaine height, after which it ſhall alſo by little and little be diminiſhed, till it come downe againe vntounto nothing. This p. 245is the wiſedome giuen to count the beaſts number, which whoſoeuer can rightly count, will not at all make any account of that Antichriſtian ſtate, and Dragon-like dominion.

But here it may be asked, what reaſon there is of this, to ſet out this ſtate by a meere number applied to nothing that is numbred? This is not without reaſon, to all that hauehave the wiſedome of God. It is ſet out firſt by a nūber, becauſe one day God will number it, for he hath written Mene ouer it, as hee did ouer Balſhazzars kingdome, and now hath begun to finiſh it, chap. 10. 7, and wil finiſh it, chap. 18; and it is (ſecondly) ſet out by a number without naming any thing that is numbred, to ſhew, that as ſuch a number is to no vſe, but to reckon, to ſee an order, to ſee a forme and a faſhion of a number, but without ſubſtance; ſo this Romiſh ſtate is vnuſefull to Chriſtianitie, and ſtandeth onelyonly in a faire ſhew of order, in meere formes and faſhions, without ſubſtance of pietie. And indeed who ſeeth not, how that Antichriſtian Hierarchie ſtandeth more in forme and faſhion; in number of daies, in number of prayers, in number of orders, in number of yeeres, for their antiquitie; in number of Councels, Fathers and others, for their conſent; in number of countries and kingdomes, people, nations and tongues ſubiecting themſelues thereto, for their vniuerſalitie; then in any ſolid ſubſtance of true religion, holy & ſincere worſhip, and faithfull teaching of the Apoſtles doctrine? But here againe may ſome demaund, why this number of 666 muſt be the Beaſts number rather then any other? p. 246Anſ. The reaſons may bee theſe: I. For that the Pope himſelfe approueth of this number as perfect, as before is ſhewed. II. For that it excellently ſetteth out that ſtate fully (as we ſee), yea ſo, as this number may be found in ſuch names and tearmes, as doe rightly eueryevery way ſet him out in diuers languages; for the countrey, in Hebrew, Romagnoſh (Romanus) 666, in Greeke foreign (Latinus) 666: for his ſupremacie and glorie as the Sunne aboue other ſtarres, foreign 666; for the name of his Popedome, foreign, 666; for the title, that is, to be Chriſts Vicar, which he claimeth generalis Dei Vicarius in terris, 666, in Engliſh, By vertue of Peters ſeate Gods general Vic…r on the earth, 666; for his being ſubſtituted in the roome of the Emperours, chap. 13. 3. in our tongue, according alſo to the truth of the text, The Pope by ſuperioritie is the Diuels Leiftenant, which is 666: yea one of their own men Benedictus à Benedictis, in his booke De Antich. contra Whitacerum, giueth this to the Pope, Paulo quinto vice Deo, which in numerall letters is 666: ſo as his owne choſen and approued number ſets him out moſt liuely in his colours. III. To giuegive vsus iudgement to diſcerne them, and to know what kinde of Chriſtians they be, euen Chriſtians by halfes; the true Church ariſeth on 12, this falſe Church only on 6 throughout; ſome word of God, ſome word of their owne; ſome one Sacrament of God, ſome of their owne; ſome part of Chriſts diſcipline, the reſt their owne; in ſome ſort allowing the Scriptures, in ſome ſort not; ſo in their prayers and ordinances partly of God, partly of p. 247men; their nigheſt accord to the truth, wherein they hold any truth, is but as 6 to 12, halfe way, further they come not: for their whole number ſtandeth all of ſixes, 666; which number the ſeruants of Chriſt by wiſe counting get victory ouer, but others embrace, approuing of that ſtate for outward beautie, order, accord, ſhew of pietie, and I know not what, and ſo are friends to that beaſt; and ſtepping on a little further will receiue his name, and alſo take his marke vponupon them, as our late Apoſtates do to their damnation, vnleſſe they repent. Fourthly and laſtly, for that heere is in a ſort an alluſion to Nebuchadnezzars Image, Dan. 3. 1, which was ſixe cubites in breadth, and three ſcore in height, which hee would hauehave to bee worſhipped. This ſtate is a framed Idoll of that proud Nebuchad. of myſticall Babylon, which the Princes and people on the earth fall downe and doe reuerence vntounto; but Shedrach, Meſhach and Abednego will rather be burnt in the fire, for they hauehave wiſedome to count the number of the beaſt.