Commentary Upon Revelation, Chapter 13
CHAP. XIII.
THus was the open rage of the Dragon againſt the Woman, & her firſt ſeed: now followeth his couered dealing againſt her ſeed of ſucceeding times, by the Vicar of his power, deſcribed in this Chapter, from his quality, that hee is a beaſt: origine, that hee riſeth out of the ſea, and earth, in diſtinct conſideration: ſhape exceeding monſtrous, hauing ſeuen heades and ten horns, as had the Dragon: but other wayes busked, as hauing his hornes crowned, and on his head, the name of blaſphemy: in body like a Pard, footed like a Beare, and mouthed like a Lion. Beſides this, hee hath for right diſcerning of him, two notes of great marke. The firſt is, his great power and authority, as Vicegerent to Sathan in his power, throne, and authority. The ſecond is, that one of his heads hauing beene deadly wounded was cured againe, where-through, all the world aſtoniſhed at the beaſt of ſo great maieſty and vnmatchable power, worſhip him and the Diuell his aduancer.
2 Theſe two notes, and effect thereof, thus ſummarily proponed, are from the fift verſe, throughout the chapter exponed more largely, and firſt, this his authority practiſed in two miſchieuous effects, the one of ſpeaking blaſphemies, and the other of doing what hee liſt vncontrolled. This double authority is cleared, firſt by the time thereof, forty two moneths, and next by the practiſe of it: his ſpeaking of blaſphemies againſt God, his Church and members thereof. In his doing are noted, what it was, making warre: againſt whom, the Saints: & with what ſucceſſe, that hee ouercame them. Thirdly, how largely this power was extended: Ouer eueryevery Tribe, Tongue & Nation. Through al which he obtaineth, that al follow and worſhip him (…he elect onelyonly excepted:) a caſe ſo dangerous and fearefull, as a warning is, Epiphonematically, ſet downe to all of attention: and therewith, a conſolation, vponupon two reaſons. Firſt, that according to the generall law of God his iuſtice, whereby eueryevery oppreſſour is oppreſſed, and the ſlaier ſlaine, this beaſt ſhould come to deſtruction. Next, that it pleaſed God thus to trie the faith and patience of his Saints.
3 His ſecond note, of his deadly wound cured againe, how it was, is ſhewed by a new viſion of an other Beaſt, riſing from the earth: in all outward ſemblance, like to the Lambe, and pretending ſimplie his power, but that his ſpeech was like the Dragons. This Beaſt his actions, and end thereof, are firſt ſummarily proponed: in that he did all that the firſt beaſt could doe, before him: and to this end, that all the earth might worſhip the firſt Beaſt in the ſtate of the cured wound. Then is exponed, how he efſectuateth this great point. To wit, by ſignes and wonders which were permitted him to doe, and thereby to deceiue the earth wherein, he ſeemed to match Moſes and Elias in maſter points. That, whereto by all this deceite, hee induceth the earth and men thereof, is to make vp the image of the Beaſt, which had the deadly wound and liued. Which he worketh ſo luckily, that hee giueth ſpirit and ſpeech to the Image: and obtaineth thereto worſhip of Nations vnderunder paine of death: and ſubiection to receiue the Beaſt his marke in worke or profeſſion, as his proper good, and: and vnderunder paine of confiſcation of goods, and interdiction of all humane commerce, that all, of all eſtates, rankes, and conditions, ſhould receiue his marke, or beare his name; or, at leaſt, be accounted of his number: ſo, making vp the whole body and frame of his Kingdome. Which in reſpect of the number of his name, comprehending all the ſorts of his followers, will appeare (to any, who is not indued with heauenly wiſdome to count it) ſo large, ſo faire, ſo perfectly and proportionably builded and ſtabliſhed, as he will vndoubtedly bee ouercome thereby. And yet, who is wiſe to count it, will find it to be but a man his number and none of God his building. And the number to be counted, is 666.
4 That theſe beaſts are the ſtate of Rome, all ſound Interpreters agree. But in what time, and of what policy, there is great diſagreement. That which hath bred greateſt difficulty in accommodation, is, becauſe that the two Beaſts heere ſet foorth, are taken of all men to bee diuers, or at leaſt, of diuers time and condition: whereas they are both one. And are heere diſtinctly and diuerſly ſet downe by the ſpirit, onelyonly for cleere explication: as in the deduction ſhall be made plaine. The common opinion, that the firſt Beaſt is the heathen ſtate of Rome vnderunder perſecuting Emperours, and the ſecond, the Popedome, cannot conſiſt with the cleare notes of this firſt Beaſt, proper to Popedome. The firſt note, is the attire of his heads and hornes. Rome, in the perſecuting Emperours (as they were the miniſters of Satan his open wrath) is noted by ſeuen heads and tenne hornes of the Dragon: but ſo, as the heads onelyonly are crowned. The hornes, that is, the Prouinciall gouernments vnderunder them, and wherein was their ſtrength, hauing no Crownes: becauſe the roiall and ſoueraigne gouernment, was then onelyonly in the heads of the ſtate, ſo, deſigning the Emperours of that time. But this Beaſt heere, hath his hornes Crowned: to ſhew that the proppes of his power are crowned Kings, as Chapter 17. is exponed plainely, that they are Kings which had not as then receiued a Kingdome. Whereby is manifeſt that the tenne hornes, as they are crowned, were not in Iohn his time: neither this beaſt, as it hath crowned hornes. The beaſt indeed, was before, in the fiue heads who were fallen; he was not in the ſtate heere deſcribed: for he was to riſe out of the bottomleſſe pit: and yet, euen then, he was in the ſtate of the ſixth head; that is, the Caeſars: by curing of whoſe deadly wound, in the Pontificalitie erected, the Popedome afterward became the liuely image: that is, the ſtate of Rome vnderunder the Popes a liuely image of the ſtate of Rome before. And therefore, in diſtinct conſideration, The Pontificality, is the eight head of the Beaſt, and yet one of the ſeuen. And whereas the former heads were crowned: now the heads ariſe to a higher preſumption (hauing hornes crowned) to attire themſelues with the name of blaſphemy, 2. Theſſ. 2.
5 The next note, heere proper to the Popedome, is, that the Dragon hath giuen him his power, throne, and authority. The Dragon in his openrage, vſed Emperours but for the Miniſters of his furie: but the Popes are the Vicars of his power, and therefore, are properlie the Sonne of perdition, King Apollyon, and the Angell of the bottomleſſe pit: whoſe comming is in all effectuall working of Satan. For, albeit the Dragon bequeateth not vtterly his Kingdome, yet finding that his open rage had not the deſteined ſucceſſe, hee ſubſtracteth himſelfe in a ſort, and ſubſtituteth this viceroy of his kingdome, the moſt effectuall promoouer of darkeneſſe that euer was. Satan offered to Chriſt this bargen, but was repulſed: heere, he findeth Math. 4. 8.his Merchant, who accepteth of it, and both himſelfe worſhippeth and maketh all the world to worſhippe the Dragon. That the Popes hauehave Satan his throne in a peculiar manner, is plaine, by their practiſe and by their challenge. Their practiſe, for that it is not onelyonly (as of all the former heads, or other tyrants whatſoeuer, inſtruments of Satan his rage) to ſubdue to themſelues bodies, goods and ſtates of men, to diſpoſe thereof at their pleaſure: but, hee further will impire ouer the conſcience: and all his adminiſtration, as the proper angell of the bottomleſſe pit, is to plunge men in darkeneſſe. Wherein the Dragon, as almoſt in all things, is an Ape of God his dealing. For, as God hath giuen to Chriſt, his throne and authority, all power in heauen and earth, for conquering a kingdome to him: ſo hath the Dragon giuen all his power to his annointed, Antichriſt, the man of ſinne, for ſetting forward his kingdome of darkeneſſe. Their challendge alſo argueth this. For, albeit great Monarches, for the largeneſſe of their dominion are ſaid to hauehave the kingdomes of the earth: and the Romans, to magnifie their Empire, would call it, Imperium orbis terrarum: yet, neuer King or Monarch challenged euer any further right, then either by apparent iuſt title hee might claime, or by Armes he had ſubdued. But the Pope challengeth right ouer all, as whereof hee may diſpoſe at his pleaſure. And that yee may cleerely diſcerne the Dragons mouth, he onelyonly of all men ſince the beginning of the world, ſtoutly affirmeth, All the Kingdomes of the world are mine, and I giuegive them to whom I will.
6 The third note here put, is the time of his working, 42. mouethes. The very time of Antichriſt his obtaining place in the viſible Church, Chap. 11. of the Temple cloſed, and witneſſes preaching in Sackcloath: and of the womans abode in the wilderneſſe, Chap. 12. An infallible argument that heere Antichriſt is deſcribed.
7 The fourth note is cleareſt of all. For, as the deſcription of the Beaſt, his heades and hornes, ſheweth him to be the Romane ſtate or Kingdome: ſo, heere a ſpeciall note is giuen whereby to diſcerne of what time, policy, ſtate and condition of Rome, this Beaſt is to bee taken: namely, in the ſtate of the wounded head, cured againe. And, becauſe this, beingſhortly touched might be obſcure: therefore to make it plaine, a ſpeciall viſion is giuen of the curer and manner of the cure, whereby this Beaſt in this ſtate, is made vp: ſo as, if it may not be eſteemed abſolutely the fame which it was before the deadly ſtroke; yet at leaſt it is a liuely image thereof. The Curer, is a Beaſt like the Lambe, and ſimply pretending his power in two hornes like to his: but ſpeaking like the Dragon. Heere, two hones like the Lambes, are not put for any anſwerable number of Kings, but to ſhew a humble and ſimple pretence of the Lambe his power; & not out wardly, of that ferity and ſtrength of the Beaſt, like a Pard, footed like a Beare, and mouthed like a Lion. For, that to the Lambe Chap. 5. we attributed ſeuen hornes and ſeuen eies, was to ſhew his perfection of power and wiſdome. Heere the Lambe is put according to the naturall verity of ſuch a beaſt, ſo to expreſſe liuely the ſimulate hypocriſie and affectation of ſimple humility in this Beaſt ſo masking himſelfe, while yet vnderunder this pretence, he but animates againe the beaſt with ſeuen heads and tenne hornes, &c. That ſo vnderunder himſelfe (the eight head in number and order, and one of the ſeuen, that is the ſixth, by cure of the wounded head) the beaſt that was in the fiue heads fallen before Iohn his daies, and in the ſixth head was euen then in his time, but was not in the condition heere meaned, might ariſe in the owne time out of the bottomeleſſe pit: and deceiuing the world by the cup of fornication, may periſh for euer.
The meanes how hee worketh this cure, are by deceit of ſignes and wonders, 2. Theſſ. 2. The manner of cure is, that by theſe ſignes and wonders, the world is induced to make vppe the image of the Beaſt which had the deadly wound and liued. And this is nothing elſe, but that the Kings and States of the earth, ſhould ſo ſubmit themſelues to the Popes of Rome, by ſignes and force of the cup of fornication bewitching them, and faining of himſelfe to bee the Lambe his Vicar, whereas hee is the Dragons, as the ſtate of Rome, which in ouerthrow of the Caeſars, had receiued a deadly wound, ſhould riſe to the ſame or greater dignity then it had in the Emperors: and the kingdome thereof, reerected in the pontificality, ſhould bee as it were a liuely and ſpeaking image of the beaſt before it was wounded: and all men ſhould worſhip als farre, or more, the Popes, as they had the Emperours: the Beaſt, that is, the kingdome or ſtate of Rome, becomming in the head cured againe, that is, in the Pontificality, als famous and wonderfull as it was before the wound. And in this reſpect, the Pontificality, is both the eight head, in number and order, of that kingdome or beaſt, and alſo is one of the ſeuen, as in which the ſixth head is reuiued, or rather the kingdome which in the ſixth head got a deadly wound; according as Chap. 17. the Beaſt hath his denomination from the eight head. For cleare vnderſtanding of all this matter, reade that Chapter. The ſixth head was wounded, when by incurſion of Barbars, many greate and famous Prouinces were taken from the Empire. Yet more deepely, when not onelyonly Italie was trode vnderunder foot, but Rome it ſelfe was ſpoyled and burnt by Athalaricus; after by Athaulphus and their Gothes: miſerably rifled by Genſericus and his Vandales. The wound yet was more deepe, when Odoacer and his Heruls flew Auguſtulus, and ſeiſed vponupon Italie fourteene yeres. But then it became deadly, when the Emperour and Senate, diſpairing to keepe Italie and Rome any more, willingly bequeathed them to Thcodoricus: who thereupon, defeating Odoacer, was receiued in Rome as their lawfull Prince. Where he raigned, by himſelfe and his ſucceſſors Oſtrogothes, in peace and flouriſhing ſtate many yeeres.
This deadly wound, Iuſtinian afterward by the valor of Beliſare and Narſet, laboured to hauehave cured, but it auailed not, by new inuaſions the wound ſtill remaining deadly. But the Popes, by ſignes and cup of fornication, bewitching euen all theſe Kings, who had riſen by the fall of the Empire, to ſubmit their crownes to them: and that dignity and glory, which Rome had loſt by fall of the Empire, the Popes recouering the ſame to it by the authority of the Apoſtolike ſeat and keies of Peter: then the image of the Beaſt was ſo made vp, as for liuely reſemblance, it ſeemed to hauehave ſpirit and ſpeech. Euen in a manner to be the ſame; and ſo getteth worſhip and ſlauiſh ſubiection of the world. For the liuelineſſe of this image, reade the donation of Conſtantine, and Steuchus, in defence of it. His words are theſe.
Euerſo Imperio, niſi Deus Pontificatum reſtituiſſet, futurum erat vt Roma nullo tempore excitata, ac reſtituta, inhabitabilis poſthaec, faediſſima boum porcorumque futura eſſet habitatio. At, in Pontificatu, etfi non illa veteris Imperij magnitudo, ſpecies certe non longe diſſimilis renata eſt, qua gentes omnes ab ortu & occaſu haud ſecus Romanum Pontificem venerantur, quam omnes Nationes olim Imperatoribus obtemperabant. And thereafter, to ſhew the reſemblance. An non amnia quae Romae quondam profana erant, ſacra effect a ſunt? quemadmodum omnia Templa deorum facta ſunt Eocleſiae ſanctorum, ritus item profani coperunt eſſe ritus ſacri: Nonne Pantheon Templum omnium idolorum, effectum eſt Templum ſanctae virgiris? nonne in Ʋaticano, Templum Apollinis vbi condita erant corpora Apoſtolorum, conuerſum eſt in Eccleſiam ipſorum Apoſtolorum vt ſuperius demonſtratum eſt? totque alia.
This made Proſper to ſay:
Sedes Roma Petri quae paſtoralis honorisLibro de ingratis.
Facta caput mundo, quicquid non poſſidet armis,
Relligione tenet.—
And, Roma per Sacerdotij Principatum amplior facta eſt Lib. 2. devocatione gentium. cap. 6.arce religionis quam ſolio poteſtatis. But this ſeemeth greatly to withſtand our interpretation, that heere, are put not onelyonly two beaſts but alſo hauing diuers origine: the firſt from the ſea, the ſecond from the earth. Whereby ſome learned men, ſeeing that clearely the Pontificality was meaned in both, were brought to thinke the ſame to be in them, differently expreſſed, as it is to be taken vp in diuers times and conditions in time: and ſo, eſteeme the Popedome to bee both the ſeuenth and eight head, Chap. 17. But as in this (in my iudgement) they hauehave miſtaken, ſo this difference impoſeth no neceſſity to thinke ſo. For the viſion of the ſecond beaſt is onelyonly brought, for more cleare explication of that laſt note of the Beast …ouching the eure of the woūded head. In the firſt beaſt the Antichriſt is expreſſed, but ſo as we may take vppe of what kingdome and ſtate hee is head, namely of the kingdome of Rome. And therefore, in the beaſt, that kingdome is ſo painted foorth to vsus, as to know it rightly, ſhe hath all her heads attributed to her, which ruled in her from her firſt riſing to her laſt fall: yet ſo, as here, the beaſt is to be conſidered, onelyonly in the condition and ſtate of the laſt head, ariſing by cure of the deadly wound. As to the Dragon, all the heads were attributed (to make cleare what ſtate he wrought by) yet ſo as his rage then, is conſidered onelyonly in the ſixth head. He hauing ſeuen but for diſcerning the kingdome; fiue hauing ere then fallen, and two not as yet riſen. The ſecond beaſt is put onelyonly for cleare explication of the condition, nature, quality, and working, of this laſt head, conſidered a part and by it ſelfe: and how this great worke, of quickning that mortally wounded kingdome or beaſt, is wrought by it, ſo as vnderunder it, the Beaſtreuiueth: and now, (howſoeuer for diſcerning the kingdome, all the heads be mentioned) commeth only to bee conſidered in that ſtate and reſpect: in which (for great diuerſity from the former condition before the wound yea and before the the cure) this head is in a ſort a different beaſt, as hauing this ſingular in ſhape, that it is like the Lambe: in working, that it doth by ſignes and wonders: in condition, that the beaſt vnderunder it, is rather an image of the former then the ſame, and yet a liuely image: therefore called the eight head and one of the ſeuen. In which reſpect, but ſeuen heads are attributed to the beaſt, albeit in number there be eight. That the firſt riſeth out of the ſea; and the ſecond out of the earth; it is but to note the different manner of riſing; of the laſt head and ſtate vnderunder it, from the riſing of the Beaſt in all his former conditions and heades. They both, in their diſtinct manner of riſing, hauehave this common, that they are from below. For, albeit the earth and ſea, in degree of account with other creatures; as the fountaines, ſunne, moone, ſtarres, Chap. 9. and. 16. according to the effects wrought in them, and that wherof they in theſe degrees are the types, are to bee taken ſo, as agreeth with the courſe of the myſtery, as in theſe places is declared. Yet when Sea and Earth are ſet in oppoſition to heauen, as heer, and Chapter 10. when the Angell deſcending from heauen for ouerthrow of this beaſt, ſetteth his feet on the ſea and earth, whence in diſtinct conſideration the beaſt ariſeth. And Chapter 12. reioyce O heauens, woe to the Inhabitants of ſea and earth: then things ariſing from ſea and earth muſt bee taken as Chriſt ſpeaketh to the Iewes. Yee are from below, I am from aboue. And euen the foure beaſts in Daniel (whoſe Ioh. 8. 23.whole ferity, cruelty, fraud, and deſtroying power is in this one) whom in the beginning of his ſeuenth Chapter hee ſeeth riſe out of the ſea, are ſaid in that ſame chapter verſe 17. to ariſe out of the earth, as all one thing: except that as the earth ſheweth the origine to be earthly, and from below, ſo the ſea ſheweth their riſing to bee of the troubles, toſſings and alterations of the earth: whoſe commotions are compared to the ſtormy ſea, and according to this to ſhew the peaceable and calme eſtate of the Church vponupon vtter deſtruction of this Beaſt, Iſai. 57. 20.it is ſaide Chapter 21. that there was no more ſea. Then, this ſecond Beaſt is ſaid to riſe out of the earth, not onelyonly for that it was from below (for ſo is the whole beaſt firſt & laſt) throught the ſtar falling from the heauen, chap. 9 But becauſe this laſt head (howſoeuer the beaſt or kingdome of Rome conſidered abſolutely riſeth out of the ſea) in the particular conſideration thereof by it ſelfe, and apart, aroſe in a farre different manner from all the former; which all aroſe by great commotions and ſenſible alterations: but this laſt head aroſe ſlily, ſubtlely, and almoſt inſenſibly, by ſlow degrees, as things that grow through the earth; and ſo became head of that Kingdome, which vnderunder it is the beaſt going to deſtruction. See Steuchus againſt Valla. Paulatim imperare incipiebat religio, habenas imperij caper…, ius ſuum acquirere, nihil ſubitum, nihil tumultuarium. Where the ſecond beaſt is ſaid to worke before the firſt beaſt, it is not to bee taken for impudent or violent vſurpation, but according to the Phraſe of Scripture; as Iohn Baptiſt Luke 1. 17.to goe before Chriſt. And this is onelyonly for cleareneſſe of explication of him and his manner, who maketh the Image: as trauelling with all ſedulous endeauour by lying ſignes to conciliate authority, honour and ſubmiſſion to that ſtate vnderunder himſelfe, as head thereof. Neither hereupon muſt wee thinke the ſecond beaſt working to bee an other from him, before whom hee worketh, except ſo farre as the ſpirit, ſo will diſtinguiſh betwixt the Kingdome wholly and abſolutely, and this laſt head peculiarly conſidered, in compariſon to the former, and as after a deadly wound hee quickneth ſo that ſtate again as hee procureth to it worſhip of Nations. In one word, the firſt beaſt is the Kingdom of Rome vnderunder the Pontificality: the ſecond beaſt is the Pontificality, wonderfully quickning the wounded beaſt, to that eſtate: therfore Chapter 17 but one beaſt, euen this firſt, is put and called the eighth head: ſo euidently telling vsus that both are one and the ſame, except in conſideration as I hauehave ſaid. According to this it is, that hereafter the beaſt is diſtinguiſhed from the falſe Prophet, not that they are two, as many fondly imagine: but onelyonly to take vp ſo the State and Kingdome, as the falſe Prophet is heade therof, & ſo the falſe Prophet as he is head of that ſtate. See vponupon Chapter 17. Sect. 11. 18. and 19. Sect. 27. Theſe two beaſts, then are to expreſſe one and the ſame ſtate (euen Antichriſt in his Kingdome, and in himſelfe head thereof) both for condition and time. For from the Pope his firſt degree of riſing, hee neuer got any ſuch croſſing, as for which it might bee ſaid of him, that hee ſhould abide a ſhort ſpace, Chapter 17. For euen in the moſt miſerable times of Rome by the Gothes, hee not onelyonly retained his old got account, but was ſtill labouring to aduance the credite of his Chaire: as his ſupercilious dealings in theſe ſelfe times, with forrain Churches ſufficiently proueth. And whatſoeuer hinderance bee had by Gothik tiranny from riſing to the height hee after attained to, it is too weake a ground to ſay of him, that hee abode a ſhort ſpace: thus to make him both the ſeuenth and eight head, againſt cleare Text, which maketh the ſeuenth to bee ſoone gone, and if ſuch had beene the meaning of the holy Ghoſt, he might much both clearelier and eaſier hauehave called him the eight and ſeuenth, then the eight and one of the ſeuen: thus clearely implying which of the ſeuen hee meaned: to wit, that whoſe deadly wound, by his ariſing hee cu…ed, and made vppe; thus ſo liuely an Image of the beaſt, as hee may iuſtly therefore be counted one and the ſame with it: that is with the ſixth: whome for glory, account, worſhip of Nations, and Monarchike ſtate hee reſembleth liuely, and the Kingdome vnderunder him, the Kingdome then. The miſtaking of the ſeuenth head maketh all the errour, and in ſuch light of Storie, agreeing fitly with this Propheſie, it is wonder that all ſhould hauehave erred. This is certaine that Caeſars are the ſixth head that which then was, and before which fiue (Kings, Conſuls, Dictators, Decemuirs, Corn. Ta…it. l. 1and Tribunes) had fallen. And ſeeing that in the fall of Caeſars that ſtate receiued a deadly wound, the curing whereof maketh the beaſt here, and Chapter 17. the eight and one of the ſeuen; out of all doubt, the head riſing by the wound muſt bee the ſeuenth, as the Pontificality riſing by the cure thereof, is the eight and ſixt in a ſort. The ſeuenth head then of Rome was, Theodoricus, the Oſtrogothe, and his Succeſſors, who were not yet come, and when they came, abode but a ſhort ſpace. For their kingdome endured not aboue 70. yeeres, or thereby from Theodoricus beginning to Teias his fall. The inuaders before him were but riflers, none ſetling there a Dominion. Odoacer, who onelyonly of them all aimed at it, yet was neuer fully and ſolemnly acknowledged. But Theodoricus pleaded for his right, which by the Emperour his conſent, and decree of Senate, was bequeathed to him, and whom accordingly the Romans receiued for their lawfull Prince, as before I touched. The Emperour Zeno, Theodoricum ſacro texit velamine in Signum rei ab imperio couceſſae ſaith Sabellicus, Enn. 8 2. And as hauing in nothing wronged the Empire, hee raigned peaceably ouer Rome, and all Italy, Sicilie, Sardinia, Illirium, Dalmatia, Narbone and Pannonia many yeeres; all which time he had both peace & friendſhippe with the Emperours of the Eaſt, Zeno, Anaſtaſius and Iuſtinus.
This beaſt then is the great Antichriſt, working forty two monethes, in the holy City and Court of the Temple, and treading down all true worſhippe therein: who is the eighth and laſt head of the Kingdome of Rome, or the Kingdom of Rome vnderunder the laſt head, and in whom, and with whom it ſhall hauehave an eternall ruine. His quality, forme and origine is by alluſion to the foure Kingdomes troublers of Iſrael, as I ſhewed Chapter 12. typically expreſſed Dan. 7. by foure beaſts, a Lyon, a Beare, a Leopard, and a beſt with tenne hornes. This beaſt hath a note from each, as in whom all is compacted, what ſoeuer was miſchieuous in them all: to expreſſe the height of impiety, now come to the full, euen the man of ſinne. Men falling from piety and righteouſneſſe are beaſts; and moſt of all Tyrants ſet ouer great States, as hauing moſt liberty, and leaſt reſtraint from wickedneſſe. A man in honour if hee vnderſtand not, is like to the beaſtes that Pſal. 49. …0.periſh.
8 As for the number of hornes attributed to this ſtate of Rome, both in the Dragon, and now in this beaſt, albeit ſom thing may bee ſaid probably and pretily both for the firſt ſtate, out of Strabo his laſt booke of Geographes. And for this laſt out of Steuchus, making neer this ſame count, as by ſome learned enterpreters hath been noted; yet according as I can take vp the manner of all this Propheſie, I acquieſce in this, that this number is indefinitely put, by alluſion to Daniel 7. wherein, yet what ſingular difference is betwixt the hornes here of Chap. 17. Sect 22.this beaſt, and of that beaſt in Daniel. See more Chapter 17. They ſhew the great power of this beaſt, and ſo much greater, as theſe hornes are not Kings in ſucceſſion, but all raigning together, as receiuing a Kingdom at one houre with the beaſt.
9 Wee hauehave yet to cleare one point, of all men widely miſtaken, wherin yet the holy Ghoſt placeth wiſdom. The counting of the number of the beaſt his name The moſt receiued opinion hereof, foreign, is ſo childiſh an Egypticall toy, as I maruell much how euer any ſolide minde could propound it for a rare point of diuine wiſdome: the other opinions that I hauehave heard or ſeene, are in my opinion little or nothing more ſolide. The words miſtaken hauehave led men infinitely aſide, while they ſeeke what different things are the Character, the name & the number; and becauſe it is called the number of the name of the beaſt, and the number of a man, ſeeking to finde it in his name, they ſo to finde it out, giuegive to him thereupon a man his name, which neither Scripture giueth him, neither hee taketh to himſelfe, and then forſooth, to find out this deepe wiſdome of the holy Ghoſt, they will picke out of the letters of that name, which themſelues hauehave forged this number 666. But why doe they not labour as much to find in the letters of this name his Character, as his number? ſeeing the Character, is the Character of the name, als well as the number is the number of the name, as is euident Chapter 14. 11. Neither ſayeth the Text here, that the Beaſt his name is a man his name: but the number of his name is a man his number. But thus it is; All that follow Antichriſt hauehave his name; but in diuers manner. Some hauehave the Character thereof, that is, the name imprinted, and are his proper good, as hauing his burne-yron and marke, a familiar Phraſe from the manner of men. Some hauehave his name, yet ſo as they hauehave not his Marke: who hauehave not learned the deepeneſſe of Sathan, neither are Antichriſts ſworne bondmen. And yet, ſome hauehave but the number of his name: that is, are ſo farre from being his ſworne and marked ſlaues, as they are no otherwiſe his, but in ſo farre as they are counted to bee ſo, and numbred amongſt Chriſtians muſt be called Catholike Romans.his. For he is ſuch a tyrant as will hauehave all men in one of theſe ſorts: and becauſe within theſe, who hauehave the number of his name, both the former ſorts are comprehended: the number of his name ſheweth the whole body and frame of his Kingdome. For albeit many hauehave his name, and moe hauehave his number, which hauehave not his Charecter: yet all that hauehave either Character or name, are of his number. The man then to whom God giueth wiſdome to count his number, that is, the whole frame and building of that Antichriſtian Kingdome: by counting of it ſhall finde it but the number of man, and none of God his building. As God numbred and weighed Baltaſar King of Babell, and found him light. Now Dan. 5. 26. 27here is wiſdome indeed, which to finde out, the Lord hath left to vsus in this propheſie not obſcure traces, as he ordinarily in Scripture doth, of things obſcurely deliuered. The very next words in the beginning of the 14. Chapter being rightly marked, will ridde all the way. In them wee hauehave the Lambe ſet againſt the Beaſt, his Character againſt his, a name againſt the Beaſt his name, and a number againſt the Beaſt his number. The Character of the Lambe his followers, is the Seale of God: whereof Chapter 7. The name which they hauehave is the name of the Lambe his father, and the number characterized with this name, is 144000. which number herefore, may wel bee called the number of the name of God, or God his number, as 666. is called of the name of the beaſt, or the Beaſt his number. Now theſe numbers are not ſet down for the exact count of perſons followers of Chriſt or Antichriſt: but are taken of the holy Ghoſt, as fit numbers in conſideration both of their building and figure, to expreſſe the different condition, frame & building of theſe two ſo oppoſite bodies, that is, the true Church and body of the Lambe, and the falſe Church and body of Antichriſt. This notable difference, alwayes is to bee aduerted, that the Lambe his number, all of them hauehave his Character, for they are ſealed with his fathers name in their fore-heades: (for here the true Church, and true members thereof are meaned) but in the beaſt his number are many that hauehave not his name, and much leſſe his Character. Wherefore in the 14. Chapter, and 9. verſe thereof, and eueryevery where hence throughout this Propheſie, eternall fire is denounced onelyonly againſt his worſhippers, and the receiuers of his character. See vponupon that place Sect. 8. That the Lambe his number is 144000. and the beaſt his but 666. It is for great purpoſe. For, as it was needful in the number of the true Church (which now in Antichriſt his wide dominion appeared to bee ſmall, or none at all) that to a hundreth forty foure ſhould bee ioyned thouſands, to ſhew a competent number, and of God his building, euen when Antichriſt appeared to brooke all: ſo to the Antichriſt his number, where no doubt is of multitude, all the earth following him, it was not meet that thouſands ſhold hauehave bin added. That thus wee might the better take vp, how theſe numbers are not ſo much put to expreſſe the difference in number of theſe two bodies (which if thouſands had beene added to 666. would hauehave beene all we could euer hauehave ſcanned therof) as to note the difference in condition, frame and building. That is, that the one is the number of God his building and frame: the other, but the number of a man. That is, a building and body, howſoeuer in all outward appearance more belliſant and greater then the firſt, yet but of a man his inuention. For the myſtery is in theſe two numbers 144. and 666. whether of vnities, hundrethes, thouſands or millions. VponUpon which, a man looking, who is not furniſhed with wiſdome from aboue to count the numbers; hee will much more admire, and bee taken with the Beaſt his number, as larger a great deale, and better compacted in all the parts of it, each anſwering and ſo ſitly agreeing together, as it runneth all on ſixe, in vnities, tennes and hundreds: and ariſeth of ſixe, the firſt perfect number, multiplied by tenne, and in ſo farre proportion of parts, as, ſixe is tenne times in ſixty, and ſixtie, tenne times in ſixe hundred. Againſt which to ſet 144. without wiſdome to count, a man ſhall thinke there is no compariſon. Heereby the ſpirit will teach vsus, that an vnwiſe man, and not skilfull in diuine wiſdome to count, looking on the bodie, building and frame of Antichriſt his Church, ſhall be ſo taken with the goodly appearance thereof, as he ſhall thinke it to bee the onelyonly true Church: but a wiſe man, able to count the number, ſhall finde it but the number of a man, and none of God his building. And, this is that which Chapter fifteene is called, to ouercome the number of the Beaſt his name. For, who cannot count, will bee ouercome by it. Now the onelyonly way to count it rightly, is, firſt to count the number of God his name, and thereby, examining the other, to finde it neither in building nor frame agreeable. That we might finde out this wiſdome, the ſpirit exactly counted this number 144. Chapter 7. And heere againe in fit place, recordeth it, for taking vp the myſtery. In that 7. Chapter this number expreſſing the body of the true Church in Antichriſt his vſurpation, is ſaid to be of all the Tribes of Iſrael: not in propriety of ſpeech, as their was ſhewed. Next, is declared at length how the number is made vp: namely by twelue thouſand of eueryevery Tribe: which Tribes, are at length, numbred for ſpeciall purpoſe, to hold the number of twelue: which number, albeit in effect, there were thirteene, yet in all records both of old and new Teſtament is keeped. So, as Moſes, that no moe ſhould be counted but 12. left out Simeon, as then, for the murther of the Sichemits, bearing greateſt blot: which Deut. 33.Leuie had lately before purged, by ſanctifyng his ſword to God his honour: for which, in that record, he is highlie commended. In the Chronicles, Dan is omitted, for Deut. 33. 8.his race is not reckoned, in deteſtation of his firſt erecting publike Idolatry. For which reaſon alſo in the 7. Chapter Iudg. 17. & 18he is left out. Not that in propriety wee hauehave to thinke that Tribe to be more then others reiected; but to ſhew, that the ſealed ones are noe Idolaters, but all ſpiritual Virgines, Chap 14. 4. Where in Scripture none are omitted, then Ephraim and Manaſſe come, iointly, vnderunder the name of their Father Ioſeph, as Geneſ. 49. Ezech. 47. Now, 1. Chro. 22.as theſe twelue are the Fathers of Iſrael according to the fleſh: ſo as none were counted Iſraelites but who could reduce his Genealogy to one of theſe twelue: ſo, Chriſt, accordingly chooſed twelue Apoſtles to bee the twelue ſpirituall fathers of his Church (the Iſrael of God) vponupon whoſe foundation hee would hauehave it builded: ſo, as whoſoeuer is not builded on their Doctrine, holding the foundation, and all the building ariſing proportionably thereto, Epheſ. 2. 20.the ſame is not of the new Ieruſalem from heauen, Cha. 21. which hath twelue foundations, & on them the names of the Lambe his twelue Apoſtles: twelue portes, and on them written the names of the twelue Tribes of Iſrael. Which, in all dimenſions, was twelue times twelue thouſand, that is, 144000. furlongs (for ſo the place ought to be read) the Angels conductours twelue, and the wall Chapt. 21. ſection 16.in thickneſſe twelue times twelue, euen 144. cubits. In this number, to eſpie the wiſdome, are to bee conſidered the building, and the figure. The building, is by twelue vponupon twelue; to ſhew, that the true Church is builded, ſo, on the true foundation of Apoſtolike doctrine, as it holdeth ſtill the foundation, nothing being built thereon, but agreeable thereto: as this number is no waies multiplied but by twelue vponupon twelue, the multiplier and multiplied being but one. The figure of this number is foureſquare, and of equall ſides, and whoſe ſides all conſiſt of twelues. For, as it is onelyonly builded by multiplication of 12. with 12. ſo can it neither bee halfed nor quartered but in twelues: and hath in eueryevery ſquare three twelues. According to the figure of the new Ieruſalem, Chapter 21. hauing in each ſquare three ports, and on them the names of three Tribes, wherof each hauing twelue thouſand, make vp in length, height, and breadth the new Ieruſalem, foreign 144000. The Campe of Iſrael, Numb. 2. is agreeable heereto. All to ſhew, that the true Church both in ſtructure and figure holdeth euer the foundation.
10 Now heereby, let vsus count, number and weigh Baltaſar and finde him light. This number 666. for als Dan. 5.faire as it ſheweth, can neuer be builded vponupon twelue, by twelue. Yea, which is more, take what multiplier thou wilt, thou ſhalt neuer raiſe it vponupon twelue. It cannot bee deuided nor quartered in twelues: and, poſſibly thou ſhalt neuer reduce it to equal ſides. So as it neither riſeth on the foundation, much leſſe keepeth it: neither in frame or figure, is it any way like to the New Ieruſalem. In ſumme, heere is wiſdome, by true rule of Apoſtolike doctrine (the reed giuen Iohn Chap. 11,) to meaſure, count, weigh, and examine, the whole frame, doctrine, building and body of the Antichriſtian Church: and ſo, how faire a ſhew ſoeuer it hath to deceiue fooles, yet, by true wiſdome, to finde it all but the worke of a Man. The very conſcience whereof maketh them flee ſo much this rule of examination. But the holie Ghoſt telleth vsus what is wiſdome.
11 That this number 666. is chooſed rather then any other number, where others may bee found hauing the defect obſerued in it, to repreſent the ſtate and condition of Antichriſt his body: beſides the fear perfection of the number before touched, and euen of the Romans themſelues highly eſteemed (Boniface 8. praefat. in ſextum Decretal.) The ſpeciall purpoſe heere of the holy Ghoſt, is to allude (according to his manner) to the fourth Chapter of Daniel. Where, by Nebuchadnezzar King of Babel an Image is erected, which vnderunder paine of death, hee will hauehave all peoples, Nations and tongues to fall downe and worſhip. Which Image had of breadth 6. cubits, and of height 60. Thence hither the alluſion is brought from Babel and her King properly, to ſpirituall Babel and her King: from that Image of the firſt Babel, to this myſticall image of myſticall Babell, which, all vnderunder paine of being killed, &c. muſt worſhip. Yet to ſhew the greatneſſe and prerogatiue of this image, much exceeding that of Nabuchadnezzars, in bigneſſe, glory, and worſhip of Nations: and ſpecially to keepe the analogy againſt the other number 144. as that of Nabuchadnezzar had ſix and tenne times ſixe to make ſixty: ſo this, hath tenne times 60. to make 666 in all.