The Name Mark and Number of the Beast, Chapter 1
A plain EXPOSITION OF THE Number of the Name of the Beast, Revel. 13. vers. 18.
CHAP. I. Concerning the Profitableness, and the Use of the Discovery.
BEfore I come positively to set down the meaning of the Number, and what the Holy Spirit doth hereby particularly intend, it shall be profitable to speak Two things: First, Concerning the Use of the Discovery: Secondly, Concerning the Possibility thereof.
For the Use: It is a matter of some Concernment, that I should treat of this in the beginning; first, out of respect to that Common Maxime, Let all things be done to Edification. I shall therefore endeavour to let it appear to the Christian Reader, how he may be builded up in the Faith, and how in this Argument he may have matter of Correction, Reproof, and Instruction in Righteousness. I shall do it the rather, because many, in these times, are preoccupated with prejudice. Paraeus in his Commentary upon the Revelation, and in the Preface of the Work, hath these words: Apocalypsin interpretari non est nodos aenigmatum omnium solvere, apices omnes a…u fodere, nihil omnino ignorare, vel quid Imago, quid Character, quid Numerus Nominis Bestiae, quid Bestia ipsa, &c. By this it is evident, what the forenamed Interpreter doth judge concerning these Points; to wit, The Beast, the Name, the Mark, & the Number of the Name. He taketh them to be but Punctilio's and Niceties in this kind of Learning. But saving the great worth of so judicious an Author, I shall now endeavour to make good the Contradictory to his Assertion, and shall prove these to be Points very Momentous, and much conducing to the knowledge of the whole Prophecie.
First, If you take the Book of the Revelation in the main Scope, it is for the most part carried on in the Description of the Kingdom of the Beast, in the time of the beginning and continuance of that Kingdom as it standeth in Diametral opposition to the Kingdom of the Lamb, and of his Saints. The Lord Jesus Christ, that sent his Angel of …et purpose, to sig…e to the Churches things that must shortly come to pass, …endeth a great part of the Prophetical Narration in the description of the Beasts Kingdom, and in the delineation of the Name, Mark, and Number; the essential Badges and Characters of the Kingdom. Therefore it must needs be a matter very behooveful to the right understanding of other parts of the Prophecie, to define in the beginning what is signified under these Em…ems, or typical Expressions.
Secondly, The holy Spirit speaking of the Image of the Beast, … Name, Mark, and the Number of his Name, … …, That i… giving worship to the Image, and in … … … Mark, the great sin of the world hath consisted in these latter times, chap. 13. vers. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. Now then if the great sin of the world hath primarily and chiefly consisted in these things, it is a most material Point to finde out what the holy Spirit doth mean by these symbolical and figurative expressions. I cannot mourn for a sin privately in heart, neither can I publickly reprove it in others, but I must first know what the sin is. But that this Idolatry may more fully appear, let us amplifie it by two Circumstances.
First, By the Circumstance of Place, where, and how far it hath been used. And here it is plain, in all the parts of the Dominion of the Beast, none may buy nor sell, but he that worshipeth the Image, and receiveth the Mark. He causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to be subject to his Laws. If you look to the Latitude of the Dominion, the Scripture speaketh of a very large and ample Dominion that the Beast hath. For the Nations were deceived, chap. 20. vers. 3. All the world worshiped the Beast, chap. 13. vers. 8. The Kings of the Earth did also agree to give their power to the Beast, chap. 17. vers. 17. Therefore the Dominion of the Beast must be very great: and by consequent, the sin must be an Oecumenical sin, practised in all the parts and precincts of so large a Dominion. Seeing also it is not the sin of one particular Nation, City, or Church, but in a manner the general and the common Apostacy of the times; therefore it is of great moment to be considered. The sin of Ieroboam is much spoken of in the Scripture, that it was a sin of departure from the true God, and that it continued long after his death: yet for all this, it was only practised within the compass of the Ten Tri…es, so long as they continued a Kingdom. But now the worship of the Beast, and the receiving of his Mark, have overspread all Nations in the Christian world; only there have been some faithful Witnesses which have stood for the Truth, and have been slain for the testimonies sake.
Secondly, For the Circumstance of time, how long shall it be that men must worship the Beast and receive his Mark? This must be in all the times of the Kingdom of the second Beast. For though I do not fully agree with Mr Mede (as may appear by that which I shall afterwards deliver) That the ten-horn'd & the two-horn'd Beast are exact contemporaries in all their times; yet in substance, and in the main, they are said to be of equal continuance. The time of the ten-horn'd Beast is 42 months, or 1260 prophetical dayes, or ordinary years. So then, some small proportion being deducted, this period will be the time also of the two-horned Beast, and of the worlds receiving the Mark and the Image which he made. Therefore seeing this sin shall continue many ages together, it behoveth us to make the more diligent search into the matter. Nebuchadnezzar set up a great Image, as the type of the Babylonian Majesty; he caused all the States of that Empire to come together to the Dedication of the Image; he commanded them all under pain of death to fall down before it: He had a note of distinction also, to discern between the worshipers of the Image, and those that refused that worship. Yet all this was done as it were in an instant of time. But for the Image of the Beast, set up in honour of the Roman Majesty; this hath continued many ages. Here all Nations, Languages, and People are required to worship: here is a penalty laid upon all that shall refuse to yield Obedience to the Command; and here is a mark to distinguish between those that are the Beast's, and those that are none of his. These Tyrannical and Idolatrous practises have continued, by the fore-appointment and counsel of God, for many generations. Therefore considering the largeness of the place, and the long continuance of the time that the world hath sinned, and doth yet continue sinning against Christ in these very things; we may conclude, That it is no nice curiosity to finde what is meant by the Beast, his Name, Mark, and the Number of the Name.
Thirdly, If we consider the grievous Judgements of God denounced against all those that worship the Beast, his Image, and receive his Mark in their Forehead and their Right hand, that they shall drink of the Wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture in the Cup of his Indignation: Also, that they shall be tormented with fire and brimstone, in the presence of the holy Angels and of the Lamb; and the smoak of their burning shall ascend for ever and ever, chap. 14. vers. 9, 10, 11. The learned Grasserus rightly observeth, That in the whole Canon of Scripture there is nowhere a more terrible judgement threatned, than that which is here denounced against the men that worship the Beast, and receive his Mark. And shall we account it but a curiosity, to finde out the meaning of Christ in these things, in which also the precious Souls of many thousands are so deeply hazarded, and that for ever, to their eternal perdition, if they repent not? Our Saviour fore-seeing the great Calamities that should befal the Church and People of the Iews at the Destruction of Ierusalem, had great tenderness of heart toward them. At the instant of his Suffering, he said, Daughters of Ierusalem, weep not for me, but weep for your selves, and for your Children: For the dayes are coming in which they shall say, Blessed are the barren that do not bear, and the Papps that never gave suck: Luk. 23. 28, 29, 30. Even so at this present day, though the friends and followers of the Church of Rome are the greatest Enemies that we have; yet nevertheless had we the heart of Christ, and did we see the greatness of their sin, and the grievousness of the wrath to come, we would have tender Affections towards them, we would mourn over them with many tears. But how shall we do this, if we our selves do not understand what this sin is, and what judgment the Lord will bring upon them for these things? Therefore it is no idle Speculation to meditate on this subject, which concerneth the sin of the world, and the great judgment of God because of the sin.
Fourthly, If we consider the special Cause of the Martyrdom and the Sufferings of the Saints, it was specially for these things. And therefore in the beginning of the Beasts Kingdom, and Edict was made, That all who would not worship the Image should be put to death, chap. 13. vers. 15. The Victory of the Saints also that stood upon the glassie Sea, mingled with fire, was of them that had overcome the Beast, his Image, Mark, Name, and the Number of his Name, chap. 15. v. 2, 3. At the beginning of the thousand years also, those Souls sa…e upon Thrones, and judgment was given to them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, that had not worshiped the Beast, nor received his Mark. We may conclude then, That these were the special Causes of the Martyrs Sufferings in all the times of the Beasts Kingdom, and were the eminent object of their Victory and Crown in the end of the Kingdom. Now shall we think the knowledge of these things to be a nice Speculation? I think that there is nothing more seriously to be thought of; and I believe also that it is the minde of Christ, that we should so judge of the matter.
Fifthly, If we consider the object of the Vials, upon what kind of persons they are poured out. They are poured out upon a People that are distinguished by such Badges and Cognizances as these, That had the Mark of the Beast, and worshipped his Image, chap. 16. vers. 1, 2, 10, 13. Now then, if we would know what the Vials are, and wherein the justice of God doth appear in his pouring forth of them in these times (for these are the times of the Vials) it would be a Point very necessary and material to the opening of this Doctrine, to shew what is meant by the Image of the Beast, and the Mark of his Name: for the Vials, full of the wrath of God, have their several and respective operations upon these kind of men. Therefore it is no matter of light curiosity, to discover what these things are, and what kind of persons are deciphered and set forth under these Characters.
Sixthly, Considering the Promises that are made to the Church, That after the time of the Beasts Kingdom, then the Dragon shall deceive the Nations no more, chap. 20. v. 3. That wherein the Nations have been deceived, in all the times of the Beasts Kingdom, is in the matter of worshipping the Beast, in adoring his Image, and in receiving his Mark; as may appear, chap. 13. v. 13, 14. chap. 20. v. 3. Further, whereas it is said that the two-horned Beast did deceive them that dwell on the Earth, by the means of those Miracles he had power to do; Here we must not think that this deceiving of the Nations was only at that instant; but he hath deceived them, and doth deceive them, and will deceive them in all the times of his Kingdom. And it is particularly said of the Kings of the Earth, to wit, The deluded Kings, that they shall agree to give their Kingdoms to the Beast, till the words of God shall be fulfilled. When those times are once fulfilled, the Dragon shall deceive the Nations no more. For though he and the Beast are two, yet in this business they are but one. The Dragon deceiveth the Nations by the Beast, the Beast is the Dragons Vice-gerent in deceiving the Nations. When the Beast is destroyed, the Dragon also shall be bound up, that he shall deceive the Nations no more. If we descend to particulars, and enquire wherein the Nations have been deceived, the whole Scope of the Prophecie doth direct us to the worship of the Beast, and to the receiving of his Mark. It is no frivolous study then, to dive into the Sense, and to search into the Meaning of these things, seeing they are the subject-matter of such an universal Delusion. And who can tell when these things shall come to be more clearly known to the Consciences of them which have been formerly seduced? When they shall come also more perfectly and fully to know what the Spirit meaneth by the Name of the Beast, his Mark, and Image, and how they have greatly sinned against Christ in yielding to these things. Who can tell what a mean this may be of their undeceiving? We may probably suppose that the States and Governments of this world may more easily be brought off from their subjection to the Beast, when we shall define the true natural meaning of the Spirit, and lay the definition before the Conscience. In the great Controversies betwixt the See of Rome and other States, it is remarkable what the Champions of that Church do usually propound; they speak much of the stability of that Seat, grounded upon the Promise, Tues Petrus, &c. And in very deed, if we look to experience, how many Kingdoms, how many Churches in the East and in the West have totally perished, and have come to nothing, when that Church and See hath continued in the greatest Glory, and that for many Ages? Now this being laid as a Foundation, is not here great reason alledged to the Conscience, that the States of Christendom should yet continue their Obedience to the Catholick, Apostolick, Romane See, as they call it? None can deny but That Authority hath been wonderously and miraculosly preserved in all times, and in all changes of time. And for mine own part, I do openly confess, That to me it is a great wonder to see a State o… Government to continue so many Ages, and yet to abide one and the same still. But when I read the Scriptures, I find that the Roman Dominion, in the last and Antichristian Edition, must continue a long time, …o the admiration of the world. The Caesarean Majesty was to continue some good space of time; and that being cut off, the Antichristian is to be restored, as the wonder of the world. And therefore it is said, That all they whose Names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, shall admire when they behold the Beast, that was, and is not, and yet is, chap. 17. vers. 8. Now then, if we can make it appear what is the meaning of the Spirit in these things, when the Antichristian Kingdom began and how long it must continue; if we can shew what is meant by the Name, Mark, and the Number of the Name, and how all these are applicable to the universal headship of the See of Rome, and to the worlds living in subjection to that headship; if these things can be cleared (as by the Lords assistance I shall endeavour to clear them in the process of this Treatise) I hope that this will not any longer be accounted a fruitless inquiry, which may be the mean (under the grace of God) to redeem the Souls of men from such a thraldom. For, put case you have to do with such a one who placeth a great part of his Religion in yielding subjection to the universal headship of the Bishop of Rome; You shall do much toward his Conviction, when out of the Scriptures in general you shall be able to prove such an Obligation to be contrary to Faith in Christ. And this many worthy Writers have done already. Yet you shall do more, when out of this particular Scripture you shall be able solidly to prove the Profession of such an Allegiance to be the Mark of the Beast. If they that separate from our Church, and cite that Scripture, Come out of Babylon my People, would first define what Babylon is, and that the Church of England is the Babylon that St. Iohn speaks of, they would carry on their business more demonstratively and Apocalyptically. Till this be done, they do but beat the Air. The same Law may be given to us, when we charge the Roman Catholicks that they are such that receive the Mark of the Beast. To justifie the charge, we should define in the first place what the Beast, his Name, Mark, Image, and the Number of his Name do signifie; and when this is done, we should shew how these things do agree to the head-ship of the Roman Bishop. If there be no performance of this, how can we accuse them of a sin, and we our selves be altogether ignorant what that sin is? Therefore the right determination of these things is no trivial matter, as some imagine.
Seventhly, If we consider the Reign of Christ upon the Earth for 1000 years, to the better understanding of this, it is behoveful for us, first of all to know what is the Reign of the Beast over those that have the Mark, and worship the Image. For it is the Scope of the Spirit to set the Reign of Christ in immediate opposition to the Reign of the Beast. If therefore we can well understand the nature and manner of the Beast's Reigning over those that have his Mark, and worship his Image, we shall be the more able to see the nature of the Reign of Christ. For the knowledge of one contrary doth exceedingly conduce to the knowledge of the other, specially in that Point wherein the contrariety doth stand; and the contrariety between the Lamb and the Beast doth lie in the Soveraignty. Now for the clearing of this Truth, we can prove it from the Scope of the Prophecie, and from the coherence of the Visions. For in the former part of the Prophecie, from the beginning of the 13 chapt. to the end of the 19, it is the Plot of the Spirit to describe the Kingdom of the Beast in its first Institution, in the greatness of its power, in its cruelty against the Saints, in the time of its continuance, and in other Adjuncts of that Dominion. At the end of the 19 chap. he sheweth how the Beast is cast into the Lake of Fire; and when this is done, he beginneth to …peak of the Reign of Christ, and of the Resurrection of the Martyrs. From the whole Scope of the Prophecie it is evident, That the Reign of the Beast is opposed to the Reign of Christ for 1000 years: where the Beast doth make an end, at that instant of time the Reign of Christ doth begin; And where the death of the Martyrs is fully complete, there the Resurrection and emersion out of the Antichristian Death doth immediately ensue.
Now for the Consequents that follow the destruction of the Beast's Kingdom, Iohn tells us, I saw an Angel come down from Heaven, having the Key of the bottomless P…t, and a great chain in his hand; and he laid hold on the Dragon, and bound him 1000 years. Further, he did cast him into the bottomless pit, and set a Seal upon him, that he should deceive the Nations no more, chap. 20. vers. 1, 2. Now if the question be put, How, and wherein were the Nations deceived? I Answer, It was in the worship of the Beast, and in receiving his Mark: for it is mentioned in the two last verses of the former Chapter, That the false Prophet deceived them that received the Mark of the Beast, and worshipped his Image. When the Beast was destroyed, then the Dragon was bound up, and so an end was put to the deceiving of the Nations.
By all that hath been spoken, it is evident, That the Reign of the Beast in all his times, is immediately opposed to the thousand years of the Reign of Christ. Therefore, if we would know the nature of the Reign of Christ, in what manner he shall Reign upon the Earth, and how his Martyrs shall Reign with him; it is needful that we should understand what is the Reign of the Beast over those that receive his Mark, and worship his Image. It is needful also, that we should understand the whole Antichrisian time, to be the season of the Death, Sufferings, and Beheading of the Mar…yrs for the testimonies sake. When this time is ended, then there shall be a rising, or a standing up from this Death. The right stating of these things, will prepare the way for the discovery of the 1000 years. And for ought as I can discern, one chief reason wherefore we are so dark in the Apprehension, and confused in the Notion of the Reign of Christ, is this, Because we do not first Expound, and make cleer the Reign of the Beast, what it is, what his Name, Mark, or Image are, nor what is the Number of his Name.
These, and many other Reasons, might be brought to prove the Use and Profit of the Discovery. But to gather up all into one Sum: If any think these things to be a Nicety, …et them consider, First, That these are the distinctive Badges of the Beast's Kingdom. Secondly, That the great Sin of the Christian world for many Ages, hath been in worshipping the Image, and receiving the Mark. Thirdly, The grievous Judgements of God denounced against men for these things. Fourthly, The Cause of the Martyrs Sufferings, because they would not worship the Beast, nor receive his Mark. Fifthly, The object of the Vials; they are poured out upon a People distinguished by these Characters. Sixthly, The deceiving of the Nations in the matter of the Mark of the Beast, and the worship of his Image. Seventhly, The Reign of Christ upon the Earth; which will be the more demonstratively understood, by the right Stating of the Reign of the Beast …ver those that worship the Image, and receive the Mark. All these Considerations laid together, plainly shew the Use and Profitableness of the Discovery.
Now let us proceed to the second Point, to the Possibility thereof.