The Name Mark and Number of the Beast, Chapter 10
CHAP. X. A List of Fifteen Principles drawn from the main sense of the Prophecy, concerning the Beast, his Name, Mark, and Number; by the Position of which, the present Interpretation is established. Also, the several Expositions of Mr. Potter and other Writers, are brought to Tryall.
FOr the more full proof of the Point, we must take the same method to prove the truth of our Interpretation, as Divines do when they would prove the Pope to be Anti-Christ. They do infallibly determine him to be so, because all the Properties of the Beast, do punctually pitch upon that Seat or Succession: So in the present case, we may say, That 666 is such a Number of years, to the setting up of the Name or Universal Headship of the Beast. And this we take to be an infallible and undoubted Truth, because all the Principles of the Prophecy do pitch, and mainly centre upon such an Interpretation. We can prove the truth thereof, by the accumulation of Notes. W… may further take in the words of the Jesuite Suarez; for he himself well obserueth, That it is not sufficient to decypher Antichrist by one, two, or three Notes, but by the Concurrence of all the Properties that do appertain to him: So I may say, for a tight Exposition of the Name of the Beast, and the Number thereof, we must not rest in a few Circumstances, for so many have been brought for the name Lateinos. And M. P…tters Interpretation also seemeth to be very fair. But this is that which I mainly stand upon, That their several Interpretations will not agree with many Principles. The same course then that we take to prove the Truth, shall be to disprove their Error. But now to the Principles in order.
Princ. 1. The Name of the Beast, his Mark and Number, do all agree to the Papall Tyranny, by a special application. This is proved from the whole scope of the Text. For the Beast is a Tyrannical Empire or Government; and not onelyonly so, but also a Roman Tyrannical Empire, in the last edition thereof: Therefore these Characters are specially applicable to that Government, and to the Hierarchy thereof, and not to any other. They erre therefore, that seek after the Number in the Name of any one particular man, as Bellarmine doth in the Names of some Protestant Divines. Whereas, to speak properly, the Name of the Beast is the Name of a Tyrannical State or Government. Secondly, they also do depart far from the Truth, that will have the word foreign to be the Name of the Beast. And though indeed the Name doth make 666, according to the Numeral Letters in the Greek Alphabet; this cannot be the sense: For though the Turks make a Tyrannical Empire, and have greatly afflicted the Church; yet the scop… of the Spirit is here mainly to speak of a Roman Tyrannical State in the last edition; and this is clear from the scope of the whole Prophecy.
Princ. 2. The Name of the Beast, his Mark, Image, and the Number of his Name, ought so to be expounded, that all these may have mutual relation each to other. This is proved from the Text, Chap. 13. ver. 15, 16, 17, 18. Chap. 14. ver. 9, 10, 11. For there the persons who did worship the Image of the Beast, are also said to receive his Mark in their Forehead, and in their Right-hand. Now how is it possible that they could receive the Mark, but they must also receive the Name, sith it is called The Mark of the Name? And how can they receive the Name, but they must receive the Number, seeing it is styled, The Number of the Name? All these are Homogeneal, and have near relation each to other. And therefore when Iohn did behold that company that stood upon the glassie Sea mingled with fire, and did sing the triumphal Song in honor to the Lamb; they are said to overcome the Beast, his Image, Mark, and the Number of his Name. Therefore all these have a neer affinity and correspondence each with other. From whence we may convince those Interpreters of error, who do distinguish the Subjects of the Beast into divers kindes; into those that worship the Image, into others that receive the Mark, into a third sort that have the Number of the Name: Whereas, according to the Text, the same persons that worship the Image, receive the Mark and the Number thereof. Secondly, those Expositors are too blame, which do not ground their Demonstration upon these things, but do immediately proceed to calculate the Number. Mr. Potter in his Treatise, endeavoreth to finde out the Number in six things in the Hierarchy of the Church of Rome, as they stand opposite to six things in the New Ierusalem. But in my apprehension, he doth not lay a right foundation: for the Number which he is to calculate, is the Number of the Name of the Beast; and the Number is answerable to the Mark. Therefore the proper work which he hath to do, is, to handle these matters, and not six things in the Hierarchy of the Church of Rome, immediately opposed to six things in the description of the New Ierusalem.
Princ. 3. The Name of the Beast, his Mark and Number, must necessarily begin at the first Visible Constitution of his Dominion; and continue in all times, to the end thereof. For the first Visible Constitution, we reade, That as soon as the second Beast came up out of the Earth, he made an Image to the Beast, and caused all to worship the Image, and to receive a Mark in their Forehead, Chap. 13. ver. 14, 15, 16, 17. Now this was not done onelyonly at the time of the beginning, but in all the times of that Kingdome, from the beginning to the end. For, the Vials were poured out upon them that worshipped the Beast, and received the Mark, Chap. 16. ver. 2. And at the ending of the Beasts Kingdome, when the eternal Gospel is preached to every Kindred, Tongue and Nation; then are the threatnings denounced against all those that worship the Beast, and receive the Mark, Chap. 14. ver. 9, 10, 11. From whence we gather, That the Name, Mark and Image, must be in all the times of the Kingdome of the Beast. According to this Rule, how can Iunius apply the Number of the Beast to the Canon-Law? How can he make it appear, that this Law hath been in force all the times of that Kingdome? Mr. Potter also, when he doth apply this Number to the Cardinals, Gates, and other circumstances in the City of Rome; how can he prove, that these have been in all the times of that Kingdom? He doth mainly stand upon it, That the Cardinals are the very Essence of the Papacy, so nearly united to the Pope, that they make one Body, containing and representing all Ecelesiastical Iurisdiction. Well, be it so; but how proveth he this Colledge to have been in all the times of the Beasts Kingdome? I do willingly yield to that solid determination of his: I conceive (saith he) the second Beast, mentioned Rev. 13. ver. 11. to be that unlawful Ecclesiastical Power, which these latter times have setled upon the Pope. And I believe, that he is the Great Anti-Christ, not as Bishop, or Archbishop, or Patriarch; but as he pretends himself Pope, and Vicar of Christ; having such a transcendent Ecclesiastical Power, as is incommunicable to any other upon Earth, pag. 55. This Testimony I take to be a plain Scripturetruth; and for my part, I do believe, Though the Mystery of Iniquity was long in working, the Bishop of Rome did not begin to be the solemn Antichrist, and the two-horned Beast did not rise up out of the earth, till the times of the Universal Headship. In this I do fully agree with the Author aforenamed: But yet, with submission to a better judgement, I cannot understand how the Colledge of Cardinals, or the other five particular Circumstances, applied to the Hierarchy of Rome, how these began at the time of the declaration of the Universal Headship; or how they have continued in all the times of the Beasts Kingdome, from the beginning to the end thereof. Now it is apparently evident, That the Name and the Mark have been applicable to the Kingdome of the Beast in all the times thereof.
Princ. 4. In submitting to, in worshipping the Image, and in receiving the Mark, the Name, and the Number of the Name, hath been the great sin of the world in departing from Christ. This may be proved from the whole scope of the Prophecy: the great deceiving of the Nations in all Antichristian times, hath been in the matter of the worship of the Image, and receiving the Mark, Chap. 20. ver. 1, 2, 3. Chap. 13. ver. 15, 16, 17, 18. From whence I further argue, That the Number 25 cannot be proved to be the Number of the Name of the Beast; neither hath the Apostacy of the world consisted in the frequent and superstitious use of this Number. For how doth a State sin, when they use such a particular Number as this? The Philistims were a people given to superstitious observations; yet I cannot see how they did sin in the observation of the Number 5, when they did send five Golden Emerods, and five Golden Mice, 1 Sam. 6. 4. The Number 5, is the Number of so many parts of their Jurisdiction; and thereupon they observed this Number in their Trespass-offering: But we cannot say, that it was their sin to do it. Neither can I see (if there should be the like National cause) that it is simply a sin in any State, to be frequent in the use of the Number 25. For in it self, what good or what evil is in that Number? You will then say, What is meant by the Name, and the Number thereof? I answer, Take the Number 666 severally by it self, it is nothing; but if you take it joyntly, as the Character of the Name, and the Mark of the Name, we may say, That in these things hath consisted the grand Apostacy of the latter Times. And for Mr. Potters Interpretation, I cannot be satisfied in it, for these three Reasons: First, he undertaketh to expound the Number, and to apply it to so many Cardinals, so many Churches, so many Altars, &c. Whereas the Number is not the Number of these, but it is foreign, the Number of the Name of the Beast. Secondly, he undertaketh to shew, how the Beast is frequent in the use of such a particular Number: whereas the Number is rather the specifi…al Note and Character of the Kingdome it self, Thirdly, he sheweth how the Beast is frequent in the use of the Number 25, the square-root of 666. But what sin is there in the frequent use of such a Number? To speak properly, in these things there is neither good nor evil. These are some of the Reasons, that move me to depart from the Interpretation of the forementioned Author; whom I do otherwise acknowledge to be a man of solid and excellent Learning, and much to be approved for his industry and diligence, which he hath bestowed toward the discovery of these Mysteries.
Princ. 5. For the Mark of the Beast, and for the worship of the Image, and for such-like things, the world is made liable to the most grievous Iudgements of God. This I have largely proved from Rev. 14. 9, 10, 11. Now if you apply this to singulars, How can men rationally be tormented day and night? How can the smoke of their burning ascend for ever and ever, for the superstitious use of the Number 25, the square-root of 666? Surely, all these things ought so to be stated, that the Justice of God may be cleared in the execution of Judgement. I cannot then think, that so grievous a Judgement is denounced against the superstitious use of the Number 25; but rather (as I have largely proved) for the yielding subjection to the Name or Universal Headship of the Bishop of Rome, as it began publickly to be established in the 666th year from the beginning of the Roman, as the fourth Metal-Kingdome.
Princ. 6. In over coming the Name of the Beast, and the Number of the Name, standeth the special object of the Martyrs Victory. This I have largely proved, from Chap. 15. ver. 2. The persons that stood on the glassie Sea, that overcame the Beast, were the company and society of Martyrs, which suffered for Christ in all Antichristian times; and their Victory is no other but a Victory of Martyrdome. Now if you apply this to the ordinary Interpretation: If the Name of the Beast be no other but the word Lateinos, and the Number no other but the Numeral Letters of that Name; what a kinde of Victory shall the Martyrs obtain over Words, and Syllables, and Numeral Letters? We may be well assured, That there is another kinde of meaning in these words; that is, the Martyrs did overcome that Power, Authority, and Universal Headship it self, which began solemnly and publickly to be established in the 666th year, from the beginning of the Roman as the fourth Metal-Kingdome.
Princ. 7. The glorious Resurrection of the Martyrs to reign with Christ 1000 years, is grounded in special upon this Reason, Because they did refuse to worship the Image, and to receive the Mark. And therefore Iohn in the Vision saith, I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the Word of God, and the Testimony of Iesus, that these lived (to wit, out of their Antichristian death) and reigned with Christ 1000 years, Chap. 20. v. 3. It is evident from hence then, That the Name Lateinos, or any such-like Grammatical word, cannot be the Name of the Beast: For the Martyrs were never put to death, neither shall they ever have their glorious Resurrection, for Names consisting of Letters and Syllables. The slaughter hath been mainly for the refusal of the Authority, and the Laws made by the Authority or Universal Headship of the Bishop of Rome. Therefore their glorious Resurrection to reign with Christ, shall be for their suffering in the behalfe of Christ.
Princ. 8. The Image of the Beast ought so to be expounded, that it may express to the life the repair of Roman Majesty, after the deadly wound. This is proved from the scope of the Text. When the second Beast came out of the earth, he did cure the deadly wound that the first Beast had in one of his Heads. He had power also to give life to the Image of the Beast, that the Image should both speak and live, Chap. 13. ver. 14, 15. Now for the curing of the wound of the first Beast, and the giving life to the Image of the Beast; these typical expressions do denote the onelyonly repair of Roman Majesty, after the fall of the old Empire. This is clear from the scope of the Scripture, and it is abundantly shewed in many Commentaries. The Angel also in Rev. 17. hath this expression, The Beast thou sawest, that was, is not, and yet is. Here he speaketh of the marvelous recovery of the Roman Majesty, after a former loss and destruction: which is nothing else in sense and substance, but the making of an Image to the Beast that was wounded in one of his Heads, and the causing of the Image both to speak and live. For in a sense it is true, that there was a total eradication of the Roman Soveraignty for a while; and when it was set up in the Popes, there was a kinde of reviving, and a rising of that Soveraignty from the dead. The laying down of this one Position, did drive me from an Interpretation, which seemed to be very plausible in my first meditations upon this Argument. Now that particular Interpretation did concern the times of Victor his Excommunicating the Churches of Asia, not long after the writing of the Revelation. Now because the Roman Jurisdiction over all Churches, did begin to make its first visible appearance in these times; I did therefore apply the Number of the Beast to the forementioned Excommunication. And for the particular time, Calvisius the Chronologer saith, That those Churches were Excommunicated in the year of the World 4145, and in the year of the Lord 196. Now if you subduct 666 years out of 4145, there will remain the 3479th year of the World, which was the first year of the Twentieth Jubilee, according to the Authority of the Chronologer aforementioned. Being furnished with these Principles, as also being firmly perswaded by other Reasons, That the Beast was the Bishop of Rome, and that the Number did signifie the first visible declaration of the Authority of that See: Finding also the account by Jubilees to be foreign ▪ a Number frequently used amongst men in those ancient times: Upon these Considerations, I was at length induced (probably at least) to take this as the meaning of the Text: As who would say in plainer terms, Let him that hath wisdome, count by the Jubilees, a Number frequently used amongst men, and he shall finde, that this Beast shall begin to erect and put forth his Power in the 666th year, from the beginning of the Twentieth Jubilee; and so he shall come to the particular year when Victor Excommunicated the Churches of Asia. This Interpretation, though it seemed very specious and plausible at the first; yet afterward, when I came to dive into the Prophecy, and to compare the Commentaries, and to look into the natural sense of the Visions; I did finde from the collation of all, that there must be first a death, and a wound of the Roman Majestie in the Caesars, before it could be revived in the Popes; the Caesareate must fall, before the Papacy could begin. This I gathered from the whole scope of the Apocalyptical learning: And I do admire, how any can begin the 42 Moneths from Constantine the Great, or from Iulian the Apostata, or from any other time before the fall of the old Empire. They who do this, to my understanding, go against the scope and drift of this kinde of learning. Another Interpretation I had, which I did favour in the beginning; and that is the Interpretation of Moulin, in his Treatise concerning the Complement of Prophecies: He in that Treatise doth set the beginning of the Beasts Kingdome, at the fall of the Exarchs of Ravenna; and so concludeth, That where the Empire made an end, there the Papacy was to begin: But the Empire ended at the Exarchate; Ergo. In this Exposition of his, he doth well to set the beginning of Rome Papal, after the destruction of Rome Imperial; for this is but the sense of the Prophecy. But yet withal this must be remembred, that we must not set the beginning of the Beasts Kingdom where we will, & how we will our selves; but we must set it there where it ought to be set. Now for the place where it ought to be set, it must be at the beginning of the Universal Headship of the Beast, which is the Name of the Beast, when he did make an Image to the Beast that had a wound in one of his Heads. If these things be applied to the times, they do not agree to the ruine of the Exarchate, but to the setting up of the Universal Headship of the Bishop of Rome, under the Emperor Phocas. Then there was an Image made to the Beast; then the Name or Universal Headship began; then the Roman Potency did revive in the Popes, which was formerly lost in the Caesars; then the second Beast caused the Image both to speak and live.
Princ. 9. The Name of the Beast ought so in special to be exp…unded, that it may be the subject-matter of the Mark. This is proved from Chap. 14. ver. 11. where the Mark is expresly called, foreign, The Mark of his Name. Now it would not be so called, if there were not something in the Name, that giveth beeing to the Mark. And therefore when Mr. Potter endevoreth to shew, That 25 is the Number of the Beast; and that the Government may be known by the frequent use of the Number 25, the square-root of 666: In my apprehension, he should not have imployed himself in the variety of those things in the Beasts Kingdome, to which this Number might be applied: His prime work had been, first to have found out the Name of the Beast; and then he should have proceeded to the Mark, and the Number of the Name. For there is no other Mark, but that which relateth to the Name; and there is no other Number, but that which is the Number of the Name. I cannot conceive any other: but his mistake is in the subjectâ materiâ, in the subject matter of the Number. He that erreth in the beginning, must needs go far out of the way.
Princ. 10. The Name of the Beast ought so in special to be expounded, that it may appear to be the matter about which the Number is conversant. This is proved from Ch. 13 v. 17. There it is expresly called foreign The Name then only must be the immediate Object of the Number, or the thing Numbred: Why is it else called, The Number of the Name? By this Reason then, I cannot see how Mr. Potter can apply the Number indefinitely to all such kinde of things as are essential and constituent in the Kingdome of the Beast, seeing the Number is onelyonly restrained to the Name, and is the Number of the Name or Universal Headship. But let us look to the grounds of the Interpretation laid down by that learned man. He supposeth this Number 666 to be an Image or typical Representation of the whole Body of Antichrist; that is, of the whole Body of his Kingdome, State, or Hierarchy. And thus much, saith he, is acknowledged by many Writers, but especially by Cotterius. Further, he addeth, If this Number be an Image or a Type of the whole Body of Antichrist; then no man ought to imagine, that the whole Image of Antichrist is like to one prrticular Member, or part of the Body of Antichrist. For as the whole Image of Caesar is not like unto the Hand of Caesar, or▪ the Head of Caesar: so neither is the Number considered wholly applicable to any particular Times, Names, Persons, Places, or other Individuall things, or Circumstances belonging unto Antichrist, as divers Interpreters have laboured to apply it. But (saith he) if any man desire to know Caesar by his Image, he must compare Head to Head, Face to Face, Eye to Eye, Foot to Foot; and so conclude a likeness in general, from an induction of particulars. In like manner, he that desires to know Antichrist by his Number, he must first finde in this Number, such things as are essential and remarkable to that Government. So far Mr. Potter. In which words of his, though I do acknowledge there is greater solidity, then I have ordinarily met withall in Interpretations of this kinde; yet under favour, I conceive when all is done, the Number must be the Number of the Name, or Universal Headship, and that by right ought to be the thing Numbred. And whereas he saith, That the Number is not applicable to any particular Times, Persons, Places, or other petty Circumstances of the Kingdome of Antichrist; I do acknowledge, That there hath been vanity more then too much among Interpreters, about the explication of these things. And whereas the Author aforenam…d, following Cotterius and other learned men, doth tell us, That the Number must be applied to that which is essential in the Kingdome of the Beast: In this we do fully agree with him; and therefore we have stated the Name, Mark, and Image of the Beast, and have so explained these things, that they do contain the very essence, form and beeing of that Kingdome. For what is the Name, but the Power and Universal Headship? And what is the Mark of the Name, but the profession of Subjection to that Power or Headship? Thus we come to the sense of Cotterius and others in the main. Now whereas Mr. Potter doth stand upon 25 Cardinals, 25 Churches, 25 Articles, in the compilation of Pius Quartus; How doth he make all these the Name of the Beast? In all true Mathematical Demonstration, we should begin with expositio Dati, the Exposition of the Subject or Antecedent. If therefore the Name of the Beast be Datum, or the subject of the Demonstration; this must be first expounded, before the Number can be rightly applied, seeing it is called the Number of the Name. Secondly, if 25 be the Characteristical Number of the State or Hierarchy of the Beast; why doth not the Holy Spirit, in so large a description of that Kingdome, once make mention of the Number 25? Shall we imagine, that he will not once mention that which is individually necessary, but altogether stand upon remoter points? Thirdly, if the Number 25 is to be applied to the Hierarchy of the Beast, as the Number 12 is to the New Ierusalem; why is not the like reason given for the one as for the other? The Number 12 is therefore so frequently used in sacred Numbers, in reference to the first Original of the Church, and to the division into Twelve Tribes. And therefore we reade of Twelve Cakes of Shewbread, Exod. 24. 5; of Twelve Pillars of Moses his Altar, Exod. 24. 4; of Twelve Stones in the Breast-plate of Aaron, Exod. 28. 21; of Twelve Oxen brought to the Dedication of the Tabernacle, Numb. 7. 23; of Twelve Rods laid up before the Ark of the Testimony, Numb. 17. 1; of Twelve Spies sent to search the Land of Canaan, Numb. 13. 1; of Twelve Stones in Iordan, Iosh. 4. 9; of the Garment of Ieroboam rent into Twelve pieces, 1 Kings 11. 30; of Twelve Stones on which the Altar of Eliah was built: and many such-like instances. Now it is apparent in these Scriptures, That the Spirit standeth upon the exact Number 12: and all this in reference to that ancient distribution of the Church into 12 Tribes. Therefore in imitation of the Jewish Church, the Holy Spirit in the new Prophecy, is very frequent in the use of the same Number, when he setteth forth the state of the Gospel-Church in these latter days. But can there be the like Reason given, why the Antichristian Church is so frequent in the Number 25? Fourthly, if it can be proved in some places, that 12 is the square-root of 144; and that the Spirit doth stand upon this way of Calculation: yet I am sure he doth not universally do this in the description of the New Ierusalem: For there is a remarkable passage, touching the measures of that City, in these words: And the City lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the Breadth; and he measured the City with a reed 12000 furlongs; the length, breadth and height of it are all equal, Rev. 21. 16. If there be any one Text that do…h shew a Characteristical Number to decypher the Holy City, this is that Scripture. Now if it be the manner of the Spirit, in all Apocalyptical Computations, to count the square-root of any figurate Number; why doth he not use that method here? In this particular Number then, 109 is the square-root; and if you will multiply it into it self, it will make 11881, and the remainder will be 119. Therefore in the Dimensions of the Holy City, the Spirit doth not perpetually look to the Number 12, as to the square-root of those Holy Numbers. Fifthly, if it could be proved, That 12 is the Root of all the Numbers in the New Ierusalem; yet it cannot be made manifest, That 25 is the square-root of 666, in so special a manner at least. For all the Numbers from 625 to 676, have 25 for their square-root: and therefore all the Numbers aforementioned, may be the Number of the Name, as well as the Number 666. According to this ground, what certainty of Interpretation is here to be had? More properly then, if 25 were the square-root, 625 would rather be the Number of the Name of the Beast. For if you Multiply 25 into it self, it will make exactly 625, and no fractions remaining: Whereas 666 (as skilful Artists do use to speak) is numerus surdus, a deaf Number; it hath 25 for the square-root, and 41 fractions remaining. All these Reasons put together, do plainly shew, That 25 is not the onelyonly Characteristical Number; and if it could be proved to be so, yet is not foreign, The Number of the Name of the Beast.
Princ. 11. The Mark of the Beast ought so in special to be expounded, that it may agree to all those, and onelyonly to those that are the Beasts Subjects, and that it may be the Badge and Livery of their Profession. This is proved from Chap. 13. ver. 16, 17. He causeth all, both small and great, to receive a Mark in their Forehead, and in their Right-hand. The Mark then agreeth to all the Subjects of the Beasts Kingdome, and to those onelyonly that are his: And this also is the badge of the distinction, in the matter of buying and selling. If this be so, how doth Mr. Potter give a true Exposition of the Number? For admit the Number 25 be rightly applied to the Cardinals, Gates, Churches, and other remarkable Circumstances of the City of Rome; yet how doth he distinguish the Beasts Subjects in the matter of buying and selling? The Text saith plainly, That none might buy nor sell, but he that had the Mark, the Name, and the Number of the Name. The right understanding of these things, lieth nor in the subtilties of Arithmetick, nor in the extraction of the square-root of any figurate Number, or in any occu't Circumstance of the Kingdome of the Beast: for these things are discernible unto all, and are obvious in the matter of buying and selling. Secondly, how do they also rightly expound the Number, who apply these things to more then the Subjects of the Beasts Kingdome; seeing these are the peculiar Characters of them onelyonly, who are of his flock? Therefore they who will have Lateinos to be the Name of the Beast, how do they make this the individuall Character of the Beasts Subjects? Our Saviour himself, his Apostles, and many holy Martyrs for sundry ages, have been under the Dominion of the Latines or Romans: Therefore we cannot be of so flinty a Philosophy, to believe, That all sinned who lived under the Roman Obedience; or that all had the Mark of the Beast, who were Subjects under that Jurisdiction. To speak properly, they sin onelyonly against the Kingly Power of Christ, and his Regal Office as Mediator, that submit to the Roman, or rather to the Antichristian Dominion in these last times.
Princ. 12. The Mark of the Beast ought so in special to be expounded, that the whole Company which c…rrieth the Mark, may be set in direct opposition to the 144000, who had their Fathers Name written in their Forehead. This is clearly proved, from the collation of two Scriptures, Chap. 13. ver. 16, 17, 18. with Chap. 14. ver. 2, 3, 4, 5. In the former Scripture, we have a description of those that worshipped the Image, and received the Mark: and immediaiely after them, there is the description of those that were with the Lamb upon Mount Sion, and had their Fathers Name written in their Forehead. It is plain then, That there is an immediate Antithesis or Contraposition betwixt the Lamb and the Beast; the Name of the Lamb, and the Name of the Beast; the Followers of the Lamb, and the Followers of the Beast. There is then a perfect contrariety betwixt these two, as may be seen in the whole Body of the Prophecy. They therefore who will rightly expound the Book of the Revelation, must diligently observe the Contraposition; and by the one, expound the meaning of the other contrary. But withall, this Rule ought to be remembred, That oppositio, must be in eodem, & circa idem; the opposition must be in the same, and about the same matter. And therefore, to apply the matter to particulars, I cannot see how Mr. Potter doth proceed by this Rule, in that Contraposition of his, between the Number of the Beast, and the Numbers of the New Ierusalem. First, whereas he opposeth the Number 144, to the Number 666, he should have proceeded in eodem, and made the opposition in the same matter. If therefore 144000 be the Characteristical Number of the Subjects of the Lambs Kingdome; then 666000 should be the Number of the Subjects of the Beast: and so Subject will be opposed to Subject, and Number to Number. Secondly, Mr. Potter opposeth the Number of the Beast, to the Numbers of the New Ierusalem; which cannot properly be said to be oppositio in eodem, an opposition in and about the same matter. For in the true Apocalyptical method, the Beast is not so much opposed to the New Ierusalem, as to the Lamb, his Ri…al in Kingly Power. If we will speak plainly, the New Ierusalem is opposed to the Whore of Babylon; the Gospel-Church, to the Roman Idolatrous Church. For after that the Saints had sung their Halelujahs at the destruction of the Great Whore, these words are immediately added: Let us be glad and rejoyce, for the Marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made her self ready, Chap. 19. ver. 1, 2, 3, 4, &c. Therefore the contrariety standeth more immediately betwixt the Lamb and the Beast; the New Ierusalem, and the Whore of Babylon. Therefore the Number of the Beast, is not so immediately opposed to the Dimensions of the New Ierusalem. And yet further, in the opposition between the Lamb and the Beast; between the Whore of Babylon, and the New Ierusalem, we must go so far onelyonly, as may be well warranted by Scripture, or by necessary deduction from Scripture. And therefore whereas Mr. Potter layeth down this Maxime, The description of the New Jerusalem, is not for this reason onelyonly set down in Scripture, that by it the knowledge of the true Church of Christ might be described; but that the false Church of Antichrist, by way of Antithesis, might by the same description (mutatis mutandis) be also manifestly revealed, pag. 122. This Position of that learned Author, I do in part receive; but yet I do not think, that we are to extend it to every particular, without any restriction. We reade in the description of the New Ierusalem, of 12 Gates, 12 Apostles, 12 Angels, 12 Foundations; and yet I do not think, that we have warrant to look after such a set Number of Gates, of Angels, of Apostles, of Foundations, in the City of Rome. And yet further, if we could finde such certain Numbers in the City aforesaid, it were not to the purpose in hand: For in the true sense of the Prophecy, not Rome within such Walls or Gates, but the Romish Church in such a largeness and compass of Territories, is immediately opposed to the New Ierusalem, or the Gospel-Church that shall be in the latter times, at the end and destruction of the Beasts Kingdome. We reade in the slaughter of the Witnesses, that they did lie slain in the streets of the great City, spiritually called Sodom and Egypt, and where our Lord was Crucified, Chap. 11. ver. 8. Now there is none that will say, that they did lie slain in the streets of Rome, literally so called, but within the verge and precincts of the Romish Church. This properly is the Great City, that is opposed to the New Ierusalem, to the Holy City, to the Lambs Wife that comes from God out of Heaven.
Princ. 13. The Number ought so in special to be expounded, that it may appear to be 666, in that method and way of account, which is called the Number of a Man. For so it is expresly said, Let him that hath wisdome, count the Number of the Beast; for it is foreign, the Number of a Man. They therefore who will have Lateinos, or some such Grammatical word, to be the Number of the Name; how do they make it appear, That this is the Number of a Man, or that it is the manner of men to calculate States and Governments by Anagams or Numeral Letters of any Grammatical Name whatsoever?
Princ. 14. The Number ought so in special to be counted, not according to the subtilties of humane invention, but according to the nature of the subject matter, and the manner of the Holy Spirit in such-like descriptions. For the nature of the subject matter, the great sin of the world, is, in receiving the Name, and the Mark of the Name. And shall we think, when the Lord Christ speaketh to his Churches concerning these things, that only they who have skill in the subtilties and mysteries of Art, shall have ability to understand his meaning? Surely, though the Number it self may be more mysterious, yet the Matter Numbred must be in more open view. Secondly, for the manner and use of the Spirit in such-like descriptions, his use is to speak Parabolically and Typically; and yet we finde no one instance of the discovery of a Government, by the extraction of the square-root. Very often we finde, when he speaketh of the rising of a Government, or the destruction of a State, he doth usually Number such a Chain or Line of years to each such remarkable occurrence; and he doth refer us either to the Chronologie of the Bible, or to the Stories of the Church. These things are most necessary, for the Calculation of the Times, and for the Exposition of the Prophecies. But whereas Mr. Potter doth wholly build upon the extraction of the square-root in a figurate Number, I cannot see how this doth agree with the practise of the Spirit in other Scriptures. I must needs confess, that he speaketh very rationally in these words, as they follow: I have (saith he) but beaten & made plain the same path which Mr. Forbes, and other Commentators have trodden out before. But I am now come to the place, where they either stood still, or turned out of the way. They say, that the Number 12 is the square root of 144: why then do they not proceed in the same Method, to finde out the root of the Number of the Beast, seeing they say it is opposed to the Number 144? These learned men cannot be supposed to be guilty of so much nescience, as to be ignorant of the square-root of a Number. Rather, they thought it unbeseeming the Wisdome of God, and the Majesty of the Scripture, to wrap up such Divine Mysteries in Humane Inventions. But be it what it will be, it is the foundation of Geometry and Arithmetick; it is that also, in and through which many famous inventions have been brought to light: And the words themselves also do insinuate, that the discovery is to be made by wisdome. So far Mr. Potter, pag. 47. In this I do agree with him, That it is the foundation of Geometry and Arithmetick in some good measure, to extract the square-root of any figurate Number: yet for all that, I cannot see when the Spirit, either in Daniel or in the Revelation, doth speak of Tyrannical States or Empires, under divers Emblems and Figures, that we should discover and finde out these Governments, by calculating the square-root of any Number; but rather, we should go to the Chronologie of the Times, and the Stories of the Church. And in this sense we hold, That Humane Learning is exceeding necessary. And for the invention of the square-root, it is very necessary in its kinde.
Princ. 15. The Number ought so in special to be expounded, that it may be in some sort discoverable to the people that lived in the days of John, and in the ages immediately following, though they lived before the beginning of the Beasts Kingdome. Therefore when it is said, Let him that hath wisdome, count the Number of the Beast; S. Iohn in these words speaketh to the people that lived in his days, and in the ages immediately following, that by this they should understand the signs of the coming of the Man of Sin. And he doth yet further shew, in what Revolution of Time he shall appear: There are seven Kings; five are fallen, one is, and the other is not yet come: and the Beast that comes out of the Bottomless Pit, he is the eighth. In which words of his, he doth plainly shew, That when seven Forms of Government are fallen in the City of Rome, then the Beast shall begin as the eighth Potentate. At the same time also he saith, That the Roman Empire shall be divided into ten inferiour Kingdomes; that these have no beeing as yet, but receive a Kingdome one hour with the Beast. By the collation of both these Scriptures, it is clear, That the Number was discoverable in the times of Iohn; and not onelyonly to Iohn by Revelation, but to others also, that would imploy themselves by search. From hence then we may clearly discern, That they are in an error, who would have the Number 666, to be the Number of the time of the rising of the Beast, and yet make their account by the years of the Lord. So Danaeus in his Treatise de Antichristo: The Spirit of God in that place (saith he) medleth not with Arithmetical signification of Letters, but with the Time and Number of years, wherein those things shall be accomplished that are there spoken of: and for the particular time, he referreth us to the year 666, pag. 13, 14. Alstedius saith, Denotatur tempus quo Antichristus inchoaturus regnum suum, scil. anno 666, quo tempore coepit Papa maxime dominari, Theol. Polem. Part. 4. Controv. 5. pag. 388. The like is said By Eckard the Lutheran, and others. Though in this matter we do agree with the forenamed Expositors, That about the 666th year from the birth of the Lord, the Universal Headship of the Bishop of Rome was set up; though this be true in some latitude of speech, yet it cannot be the meaning of the Text. For what knowledge had the people that lived in the days of Iohn, and in the ages immediately following, of the account by the year of the Lord? Why should not the Christians that lived in Spain, finde out the Number by the Spanish Aera? The Christians in Aegy…t and Africa, by the Aera of Dioclesian? And the Christians under the Emperors of Constantinople, by the Indictions? These, and many other ways of account, were anciently used. Dyonisius the Less, about the year 532, did begin to compute by the years of the Lord; and that way of Computation came not into vulgar use many years after. It is therefore very strange, That men should Number the times of the beginning of the Beasts Kingdome, after the account by the years of the Lord, and yet certain hundred years after, the Church should be wholly ignorant of that way of Computation.
And thus laying all things together, we have proved by the concatenation and connexion of all particulars, That ours is the true Interpretation; because it doth agree with all the Body of the Circumstances fore-alledged. And for other Expositions, we have shewed the Reason why we cannot rest in them, because in severall Principles, more or less, they do cross the meaning of the Spirit. Now it remaineth, that we compare the substance of our Interpretation, with the scope of the Apostle S. Paul, 2 Thess. 2.