An Exposition of Revelation, Chapter 13
CHAP. XIII. Act. 3. Viſion 4.
Verſ. 1. And I ſaw a beaſt riſe up out of the ſea, &c].
THis Viſion depends on verſ. 17. of Chap. 12. as one with it, the act deſcribes the Dragons war there mentioned, and Antichriſts ariſing, mentioned Chap. 11.7. by the beaſts aſcending out of the bottomleſſe pit, and agreeing with Dan. 7.8, 11. of the little horne ſpeaking blaſphemies, meaning Antiochus (or Antichriſt himſelf) of whom Antiochus was a Type. Now it is uſual in Scripture to ſet forth Empires by beaſts, as Dan. 7. where the Aſſyrian, Perſian, Grecian, Roman Empires are ſo deſcribed riſing out of the ſea, verſ. 3. that is, out of Nations, Tongues, People over whom they reigne, and from whence they ariſe, anſwerable to Rev. 17.15. This beaſt ariſes out of the ſea here, and out of the land, ver. 11. yet the ſame one according to the laſt verſe; here is wiſdome to count the number of the beaſt (in the ſingular number) and that becauſe of Antichriſts double forme, as King and Prieſt, having the ſword of Paul, and key of Peter, as the whoriſh Church or queen, Chap. 18.7. 17.3. and falſe Prophet, Chap. 16.13. clothed with the ſpoiles of the Roman Empire, and pretended Vicarſhip of Chriſt, or as a Tyrant and ſeducer. Let then the Papiſts feigne an Antichriſt to themſelves to be begotten of a Jewiſh woman of the Tribe of Dan, by ſome evill ſpirit to reigne three yeares and an halfe, and to fulfill literally all things ſpoken Antichriſt, in this Book, we have found the man ſitting in the Temple of God, even for God—
Out of the ſea] To wit the bottomleſſe pit, out of which the Locuſts came, chap 9 3. and chap. 11.7. out of which the beaſt aſcended; yet John ſaw the beaſt ariſing out of the ſea in the Viſion, noting the Popes ariſing out of the ſink of hell, by the meanes of Phocas the intruder; thus the Sea of Rome is the ſea of the beaſt, or perchance that floud of the Dragon is the ſea out of which Antichriſt aroſe. Now though Councils and Biſhops of Rome condemned Arrius—yet through the Devils enticements they ſet up Antichriſt as chiefe Prieſt and King of Biſhops, (though for a long while the Biſhops of Conſtantinople and Alexandria— were his Corrivals) Nay to that height by degrees he aroſe that he would not be preſent at any Eaſterne Council but by his Legates or Embaſſadours, leſt the Emperour being preſent he ſhould be forced to give him place.
Having ſeven heads and ten hornes, &c] This Beaſt is very like the Dragon, but that the Dragon wore his Crowns on his heads, this on his hornes; by hornes ſtrength is noted, who theſe horne be, Rev. 17.9, 12. makes known, to wit, ten Kings, and the ſeven heads are ſeven Mountaines of Rome (for ſhe was built upon ſo many) to which chapter I defer the interpretation of this place.
Blaſphemy] The Beaſt will not weare his hornes himſelf, but his ten hornes or Vaſſal-Kings ſhall; on his own head is blaſphemy, not openly written, yet plaine enough, for all his Religion and Doctrines are ſuch againſt God and Chriſt.
Verſ. 2. And the beaſt which I ſaw was like unto a Leopard &c. The word in Greek ſignifies a ſhe-Leopard, which hath a ſpeckled skin, and very odoriferous, ſwift, and ſubtile. Thus the Beaſt is ſomething like a monſter compounded of a Leopard, a Beare and Lyon. The Church of Antichriſt is ſpotted as the Leopard, being a mingle-mangle of diverſe Hereſies, Superſtitions, Idols, Traditions — conſiſting of ſeveral Orders, Sects, Clergy men; it is very odoriferous, full of the ſweet ſmels of honour, riches—it is very ſwift, for after the world was perſwaded that Rome was the ſeat of Peter, that ſea of Rome quickly ſwallowed up all — it is crafty, ſo Antichriſt is a falſe Prophet, full of cunning deceits, gaining home much riches by this meanes. Now hee is like a Beare in the feet; her feet are flat, large — by which the ſtability and firmeneſſe of Antichriſts Kingdom is noted, this Creature hath ſharpe nailes, which it faſtens into the ground and ſo goes more firmly. Now theſe feet are the large grants of Emperours, Canons of Councils—
His mouth as the mouth of a Lyon] Now thus Antichriſt roares in his Buls, Excommunications—and devoures very much as the Lyon; who knows not the devouring Inquiſition of Spaine, and the covetous Clergy, forgiving any ſin for money?
And the Dragon gave him power] All theſe things will I give thee, ſaid he to Chriſt. Now all lawfull power is from God, but the Beaſts is as his key, chap. 9. uſurped and unlawful; the Dragons power is his malice, deceit, power to hurt (God permitting.)
And his ſeat] Or throne. Satan is the Prince of this world, and the Pope his Vicegerent or Vicar.
And great authority] Thus Antichriſts coming is after the working of Satan with all power and lying wonders.
Verſ. 3. And I ſaw one of his heads were wounded to death &c] Here is the weakning of the beaſts power treated of (underſtood by the Beaſts head being wounded) which Brightman doth refer to the Barbarians (Goths, Vandals, Hunni, and the like) ſacking Rome; for by the ſpace of 42. yeare ſhe was by them taken and ſpoiled, no leſſe then five times, but the wound was healed by Beliſarius and Narſes (two famous Captaines) who drove the Barbarians out of Italy, and reſtored the Pope with enlarged dignities and power by command of Juſtinian the Emperour; but in this ſenſe the wound of the Beaſt is healed even before Antichriſts riſing which was not till after, to wit, at the reigne of Phocas who exalted Boniface the third to the Chaire; this wound therefore with my Pareus I refer to the great ſchiſme of Popes, Anno 1378. wherewith the Papacy was afflicted more then 40. yeares when almoſt Antichriſts kingdome was ruined, (this wound the Dragon (not enduring the Beaſts pride) gave (God permitting) as a puniſhment;) for two or three Popes ſtrove together for the Popedome, ſo that all was endangered; now alſo Jerom of Prague, and eſpecially John Huſſe in Bohemia began to ſtir: two witneſſes of the Goſpel, which encreaſed the deadly wound: But the Council of Conſtance ſtrove to be the beaſts Chirurgion, cauſing the two witneſſes to be burnt, diſplacing three Antipopes, confirming Martin 5. the Bohemian war in behalf of the witneſſes (which opened the wound wider) is huſht up upon termes, they being allowed their conſcience in many things; now Luther and Melancthons preaching like a ſword wounded; but now ſome Kings command upon paine of fire and fagot men to obey the Beaſt; now many maſſacres healed the wound, and many notable Jeſuites, as Cajetan, Faber, Staphylus—applyed their skil, who by writing, boldneſſe, and craft, have been (with many others) the Popes beſt Phyſicians at all times; and our own diſſentions (ſaies my Pareus,) have been as wine and oyle powred into the wound to heale it.
And all the earth wondered after the Beaſt] They wondered after the Beaſt, (I meane his followers) before he was wounded; but perchance the healing might encreaſe admiration; they wondered at the ſeat of Peter, at the keyes (though falſe,) at his power (though from Satan,) and even worſhiped the Beaſt as God.
The whole earth] Here obſerve
1 The admirers are men of the earth (not Saints.)
2. The admiration is general (their Catholick Church admires after him, meaning the Romiſh.)
Verſ. 4. And they worſhipped the Dragon which gave power unto the Beaſt &c] To wonder thus after the Beaſt is to worſhip the Dragon; for religious Worſhip and admiration (in this ſenſe) is to be appropriated only to God, thou ſhalt worſhip the Lord thy God and him only — Deut. 6.13. Now it is to be feared (for it is certaine) theſe admirers give divine Worſhip to the Beaſt: for they ſay, Who can war with him? Who is like him? as if they had took up that of the Prophet, Who is like the Lord our God? Eſa 40.18 or as Paul, Who hath reſiſted his will? Rom. 9 19. So who can war with the Beaſt? Thus he is called Antichriſt, that is, againſt Chriſt, exalting himſelf above Kings, nay Angels, being called by ſome Jeſuites, God upon earth. Now though the worſhippers excuſe themſelves when they worſhip Antichriſt and his Images, Crucifixes — and ſay they worſhip God — I anſwer as Saint Paul, 1 Cor. 10.20, the things which the Gentiles ſacrifice, they ſacrifice to devils, not to God; yet I beleeve they aime at God in their ſacrifice. But enough.
Verſ. 5. And to him was given a mouth ſpeaking great things &c.] By the Dragon; for he gave him this power; now by his ſpeaking great things and blaſphemies, great blaſphemies are underſtood as Antiochus in Dan. 7. did ver. 20. who afflicted the Jews, as Antichriſt the Chriſtians.
To do] That is to rage and deſtroy.
Forty and two months] Then the Beaſts power is not abſolute, God hath ſet him a time; by the 42. months the time of the Beaſts treading down the holy City or Church is ſignified, as chap. 11. then the Beaſt ſhall rage but 216. yeares more: but laſt to the end.
Verſ. 6. And he opened his mouth in blaſphemy &c.] Calling himſelf God upon earth, Chriſts Vicar, Peters ſucceſſor higheſt Prieſt, having the keyes of heaven alone — forgiving ſins, and taking a was (as he teaches) iniquity from the world — his blaſphemies againſt God, his Tabernacle, and them that dwell therein; againſt God: for he oppoſeth and exalteth himſelf againſt all that is called God (whether they be Judges (as Magiſtrates) or Angels, for they are called Gods) or that is worſhipped, ſhewing himſelf that he is God—ſitting in the Temple, or inſteed of a Temple, God and Oracle. Thus he arrogates to himſelf the name and worſhip of God; againſt his Tabernacle, that is, his Church, above whom he exalts himſelf as head and Lord thereof; or againſt the fleſh of Chriſt (that Tabernacle of the Deity) whom he ſaies he can create with ſome few words in the Sacrifice of the Maſſe; alſo he utters his blaſphemies againſt the Office of Chriſt, boaſting himſelf to be the greateſt high Prieſt, when Chriſt is called but the great high Prieſt.
And them which dwell therein] His Tabernacle is chiefly his Church againſt whom the Beaſt blaſphemes, not only againſt the Church and Saints on earth: but againſt the Saints and Angels in heaven; for he exalts himſelf above Angels; alſo obtrudes falſe worſhip upon the Saints and the Angels (the Inhabitants of heaven) for his own gaine ſake, ſetting them over Towns and Cities, Horſes, Hogs, as Tutelar gods, as the Heathens did.
Verſ. 7. And it was given to him to make war with the Saints] Here is another uſurpation of his power; this alſo is ſpoken of the little horne, Dan. 7.20. that Type of Antichriſt to which our Goſpel-Daniel here alludes. This is the war ſpoken of chap. 11. with the two witneſſes that is many (as is ſaid) alluding to Moſes and Aaron (who were inſtead of a thouſand) this war is to laſt but 42. months, of which already. Note the Beaſts ſwords (uſurped) are two, ſecular by Kings and Emperours, but Chiefly Eccleſiaſtical, by Buls, Excommunications, and hiſſing Sermons againſt the Saints, condemning them as Schiſmaticks and Hereticks. Now as here the Beaſts rage laſted 42. months, ſo the little horne warred with the Saints till the Ancient of daies came, and judgement was given the Saints, Dan. 7. Now this is the laſt judgement. Note the Catholick ſtate of the Beaſts power, it was over all kindreds, tongues— theſe are the wonderers already ſpoken of verſ. 3. remember Chriſts flock is a little flock.
Verſ. 8. And all that dwell upon the earth ſhall worſhip him &c.] Here is a moſt comfortable reſtriction; the worſhippers of the beaſt are not all (Chriſt hath his people) but Inhabitants of the earth, contradiſtinct to Saints, whoſe converſation is in heaven, & whoſe names are there written, being elected. Now if none of the Beaſts worſhippers have their names written in heaven, there is no ſalvation for them in the ſtate they are in; God be thanked we follow not the Beaſt; this is one ſigne we are written in the Book of life, of the Lamb, becauſe we were elected to life through him.
Slaine from the foundation of the world] To wit, in the eternal purpoſe of God, and by promiſe: that the ſeed of the woman ſhould bruiſe the Serpents head. Thus the efficacy of Chriſts death was to the Fathers by faith, before his actuall ſlaying, typified out by the ſacrifices.
Verſe 9. hath been oft ſpoken of.
Verſ. 10. He that leadeth into captivity ſhall go into captivity] this may comfort the Godly; for Antichriſt (though he lead his own worſhippers to deſtruction, and domineer over the bodies of the Saints) yet he ſhall be led into captivity, by being caſt into the lake of fire, chap. 19. in the mean time they need patience to conquer withall.
Verſ. 11. And I beheld another beast coming &c.] Doubtleſſe it was the ſame Beaſt, as is ſaid, but called another, becauſe of another forme, See verſ. 1.
Out of the earth] Here the original of the Beaſt is treated of, who came out of the bottomleſſe pit before; now by his coming out of the earth is meant,
Firſt, That this Beaſt is not ſo terrible as the ſea monſter before ſpoken of; land beaſts are more familiar to us.
Secondly, This notes the ignoble and earthly riſe of the Beaſt; the Pope was but a poore Frier firſt, the Cardinals once but Deacons imployed about the burial of the dead of the City of Rome, though now fellows for Princes; but here perchance is noted how that muckle, traſh, money—is that about which the Beaſt and his worſhippers are moſt imployed, and which is the uſuall cauſe of their ariſing and preferment.
Having two hornes like a Lamb] You ſee the Beaſt ſeemes no way terrible; looks like a Lamb, like Chriſt, as if he were his Vicar, and ſervant of ſervants, yet in ſpeech he is like the Dragon. Remember the Lamb had ſeven hornes chap 5.6. this Beaſt but two, becauſe he hath not the true Lambs ſtrength, nor his meekneſſe and truth, for he ſpeaks as the Dragon; by which we are to underſtand the Beaſts falſe Doctrines, as Juſtification by works, Satisfactions — alſo his blaſphemies againſt God, the Temple, and Saints, nay, and Scripture, ſaying it is ſo far true as it is confirmed by him and his Church — therefore this Beaſt is truly called a falſe Prophet chap. 16.13. teaching doctrines of devils.
Verſ. 12. And he exerciſeth all the power of the firſt Beaſt before him &c] Doubtleſſe here Antichriſt as a deceiver — is deſcribed. Now the whole ſeries of Popes is here meant, who have uſurpedly exerciſed the power of the Beaſt already mentioned; perchance the Cardinals ariſing may be here noted, who as a ſecond Beaſt exerciſe the ſame mentioned power of the former Beaſt, and that before him and by his authority; but theſe are better comprehended under the notion of Locuſts: otherwiſe this Beaſt might have been called another, yet the like (for that begot this) and yet aroſe after the other, for theſe Cardinals were once ſcarce Pariſh Prieſts, and in time are after the Pope; however the ſeries of the Popes have made (and ſo have theſe Cardinals) the earth or the Inhabitants thereof (in the forequoted ſenſe) to worſhip the former wounded (but healed) Beaſt: that is, the Pope as a deceiver—here cauſeth himſelf to be worſhipped as a ſecular Prince: Or theſe Cardinals as a ſecond Beaſt (yet in ſome ſenſe the ſame with the former) cauſe the former Beaſt (or Pope) to be worſhipped of all the admirers and wonderers: of which already.
Verſ. 13. And doth great things, ſo that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth] Antichriſt ſhall deceive (if it were poſſible) the very Elect. Wonders and miracles have ceaſed (the Church being built) and now they belong to Antichriſt, not to the Church of Chriſt. Now one of his great ſigns is:
He maketh fire to come down from heaven] Whether alluding to Elias or Satan in Job 1. it matters not;2 King 1. for certainly he would be accounted a man of God, though his working be after Satan. Now the Pope—does not literally do this, no more then the Diſciples removed mountaines, yet they did very great things, and were the true Diſciples, as the Pope is the Beaſt, although he literally bring not fire from heaven, ſince he does other great ſigns belonging to Antichriſt; yet the Spirit is likened to fire, and ſo deſcended and lighted upon the Apoſtle; now the Pope takes upon him to give the Spirit in conſecration and forgiveneſſe of ſins; and as Satan deſtroyed Jobs ſheep by fire, chap. 1. ſo this Beaſt deſtroyes Princes by thundering Excommunications.—
In the ſight of men] That is openly.
Verſ. 14. And deceiveth them that dwell upon the earth by thoſe miracles which he had power to do &c] Thus Antichriſt is a ſeducer, but not of Saints, but of the Inhabitants of the earth. Thus God puniſhes them that deſire not, nor receive the truth to ſalvation; the Saints rely on Scripture, and with the Bereans examine all things, and ſo are not deceived; miracles muſt not prove the faith nor truth then in this Age. Now follows the grand Idolatry of Rome; his worſhippers are commanded to make an Image (or Images, for that is the meaning of it) to the Beaſt, not of the beaſt, but of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Mary— ſo that the Beaſts kingdom (you ſee) is a kingdom of Images or Idols; thus the Pope commanded his Worſhippers to do.
Verſ. 15. And he had power to give life to the Image of the Beaſt] Satan gives the Pope this power; thus though the firſt Biſhop of Rome had his power from Chriſt (as alſo Aaron had from God) yet the Pope (now a beaſt) hath his uſurped power (as alſo Caiphas) from Satan, by which the one condemned (or helped to forward it) Chriſt, the other Chriſtians. But how can the Images ſpeak? Why, remember the worſhippers pray to them, ſacrifice to them, confide in them, beleeve they help them—thus the Beaſt and his Locuſts perſwade the wonderers: ſo in ſome ſenſe you ſee the Images have life — (as Bell and the Dragon had) they applying that to the Image which is in the party repreſented in ſome ſenſe.
And cauſe that as many as will not worſhip the Image be ſlaine] This the Pope or Antichriſt cauſeth. Babylons Law is univerſally to be obſerved by all Romaniſts, Whoſoever will not fall down and worſhip the Image, let him—Dan 3.5, 6. Conſtantine the Pope cauſed John the Emperour of the Eaſts Generall to be ſlaine; and his Maſter the Emperour to be depoſed becauſe of this: viz. refuſing and prohibiting the Image of the Beaſt to be worſhipped.
Verſ. 16. And he cauſeth all to receive a marke in their right hand or in their fore-heads.] Chriſt ſealed his (as is ſaid ch. 7.) now Antichriſt imitates the marke is nothing but the confeſſion and acknowledgment of the beaſt.
In the right hand] Meaning by oath, for lifting up the hand is meant, or ſwearing to obey the Pope, and openly profeſſe his worſhip (meant by having the mark or character in their fore-head, as chap. 7. I have noted.) The laity adore the beaſt and worſhip the image, but there is a moſt ſtrict tye (of oathes and vowes) laid upon the Clergy.
Verſ. 17. And that none might buy and ſell, but he that has the character of the beaſt, &c.] This is to be underſtood of a ſpirituall traffique. Now the Prieſts, Jeſuits and Biſhops (ſworne vaſſals of Antichriſt) are the only merchants to trade in the ſea of Rome. None elſe may preach, ſell the wares of Maſſes, abſolutions—for it is a mony matter. Yet literally Martin the fifth in a Bull commanded, not ſo much as any commerce to be had with any that profeſſed not themſelves ſervants to the Romiſh Church; that is, that had not the badge or mark of the beaſt.
Verſ. 18. Here is wiſedome, let him that hath underſtanding count the number of the beaſt, for 'tis the number of a man—] The character differs from the number of the beaſt; the former cheifly belongs to the Clergy by Oathes and ſpeciall Vowes, the latter is more generall to all the laity to acknowledge the Kingdom and Religion of Antichriſt; (for the character ſeems to look at the ſpirituall merchants ſpecially) the holy Ghoſt propounds it as eaſie to find out this name, being but the number of a man, or for a man to reckon; then the finding it out, is commended for wiſedom to ſtirre up people to reckon and ſearch to find it. Now if John received the Revelation in Hebrew, then the number muſt be in Hebrew, and this fits in,
| ש | ו | נ | ז | ם | ר | Romanus, a Romane. |
| 666. | 300. | 6. | 50. | 70. | 40. | 200. |
For the beaſts ſeate is Rome (of which more in its place.) Put Iohn writ in Greek. See then the word
| λ | α | τ | ε | ι | ν | ο | ς | |
| 30. | 1. | 300. | 5. | 10. | 50. | 70. | 200. | 666. |
The former our Iohn Fox found out; Ireneus 1400 years ago the latter. But ſince the Latine tongue was known much in Iohns time; perchance the Spirit might ſhew it to Iohn in that tongue of which they ſo boaſt, and have their prayers, m…ſſes — in it. Now the Pope commonly aſcribes this name to himſelfe,
| v | i | c | a | r | i | u | s | g | e | n | e | r | a | l | i | s | D | e | i | i | n | t | e | r | r | i | s. |
| 5. | 1. | 100. | 1. | 5. | 50. | 1. | 600. | 1. | 1. | 1. |
Chriſts Vicar generall in earth. 666. The numerall letters of theſe names make up 666. I have examined the Papiſts objections againſt Luthers name out of Pareus, but find their objections nothing to the purpoſe. This name and the Popes practice according to every paſſage in this book concerning him, ſhew him to be Antichriſt, that ſits pretended head of the Church.