The Key of the Revelation, Part 2 · Section 7
Concerning the tenne horned Beaſt blaſpheming God, and the two horned Beaſt or falſe Prophet his Authour and chiefe prieſt.
A New Tragedie of evils did ſet upon the woman being entered At Chap. 13.the bounds of the Wilderneſſe: for forthwith ſhe falleth upon a double Beaſt, in appearance indeed little to be feared; as reſembling the Panther or Lambe, but no whit the Dragon or Serpent, the likeneſſe of whom alone ſhe abhorred; Yet in truth *Fiduciariam.the onelyonly one in truſt for that Dragon caſt down…, and one that in his ſtead, ſhould much vexe her off-ſpring which ſhe ſhould bring forth in the Wilderneſſe.
And the Dragon was wroth with the woman (for from thence Verſ. 17.I fetch the ſtory of this Chapter) and went to make warre with the remnant of her ſeed (to wit with them which ſhe was to bring forth in the Wilderneſſe) which keepe the Commandements of God, and have the teſtimonie of Ieſus Chriſt, and he ſtood upon the ſand of the Sea.
That is, when the Dragon had perceived (he who even now was deprived of the Romane Empire) that he nothing prevailed by the flood of Arianiſme to overwhelme the woman flying into the Wilderneſſe, but that nevertheleſſe ſhe was come ſafe thither; and furthermore that the Romane Empire would no more ſuffer, that he in his proper name, ſhould manage the affaires there, as in times paſt: he ſetteth upon her by another way; to wit, by ſubſtituting covertly for himſelfe *Regnum …icarium.a deputed Kingdome; and to that end he ſtood upon the ſand of the Sea, that he might raiſe to himſelfe a new deputed forme of the Romane Kingdome then to have its beginning. Now the hiſtory of a two-fold Beaſt to manage the Romane State followeth; the one Tenne horned, the other Two horned, tyed in a neere alliance betweene themſelves, both of them reigning together, and in the ſame Dominion. The firſt of which being the Tenne horned thou mayeſt call Secular; the other being Two horned, Eccleſiaſticall.
Of the Tenne horned Beaſt.
The Tenne horned or ſecular Beaſt, is that Whole ſtate of tenne Kingdomes or thereabouts (into which the Empire of C…ſars Chap. 13.was parted by the warres of the Barbarians after the Dragon was thruſt out) growing together againe into one Romane Commonwealth, the wickedneſſe of the Dragon being renewed.
I ſaw, ſaith he, a Beaſt riſe up out of the Sea, having ſeven heads Verſ. 1.and tenne hornes, and upon his hornes tenne crownes, and upon his heads the name of blaſpemy.
The ſame Beaſt is here deſcribed which afterward, Chap. 17. beareth the Whore; even the ſeven headed Romane Beaſt under the courſe of the laſt head. I ſaw ſaith Iohn, the type of that laſt State of the Romane kingdom, wherein governing under the ſeventh head, it ſhould be devided into ten kingdoms, and yet, even as he had done under his former heads, he ſhould blaſpheme the only true God by the worſhip of Idols. For the number of Seven heads, is the enſigne of the Romane kingdom as is the bearing of Ten hornes. The name of Blaſphemy is a note of Idolatry. The crownes ſ…t upon the hornes (which are only of the laſt head) doe ſhew that that kingdom ſhould be exhibited under the cou…ſe of the laſt head; which will be further confirmed by the reſt of the deſcription of the Beaſt.
And …he Beaſt which I ſaw was like unto a Leopard, and his feet Verſ. 2.were as the feet of a Beare, and his mouth as the mouth of a Lion.
That is, this kingdom, in reſpect partly of regiment and ſtate, partly of its nature was ſo ordained; that it did reſemble in a certaine confuſed temperament thoſe three Monarchies, long ago… ſet forth to Daniel by the ſame Beaſts. For truly in the reſidue of the ſhape of his body it ſhould reſemble the Gr…cian; in the feet by his going the P…rſian, in his mouth by making Edicts the Babylonian Kindgdome. For the Leopard is the type of the Kingdome of the Gr…cians; the Beare of the Perſians; the Lion of the Babylonians.
Firſt therefore, that Kingdome in the body of it was plainly like the Graecian, that is a Kingdome divided into more Kingdomes like unto that, Dan. 7. 6. and 8. 8. 22. For the Graecian was divided into four parts, but this laſt Roman was to be parted into …enne Kingdomes; the type thereof is the bearing of tenne hornes upon the head of the laſt Beaſt, which by the interpretation of the Angel afterward, Chap. 17. are tenne Kings or Kingdomes Verſ. 12.domes, into which the Romane Empire of the ſixth head being Chap. 12.rent ſhould grow together againe into a new Kingdome under the ſeventh for to beare the Whore. Now that the tenne hornes are onelyonly of the laſt head, that is the ſeventh, and not promiſcuouſly of them all, as it is commonly accounted, I thus demonſtrate: the head flouriſhing, the hornes flouriſh; which declining, the hornes alſo growing thereupon muſt needs decline. Firſt therefore the hornes could not be on the five firſt heads, becauſe thoſe five heads, as the Angel ſaith, Chap. 17. were paſſed then Verſ. 10.in the age of Iohn, and together with the courſes of the heads, the courſes of the hornes, alſo growing upon the ſame were paſſed; neither in the ſixth, becauſe that reigning in the age of Iohn (as alſo the Angel cleerly affirmeth) notwithſtanding the time of the hornes was not as yet come. For, ſaith he, the tenne hornes are tenne Kings, which have received no Kingdome as yet. They remaine therefore for the laſt head. Away with you paynters therefore, which here at your pleaſure diſtribute the tenne hornes among ſeven heads; beſtowing upon ſome, one, upon others, according to your liberalitie, two: which how unfit it is, and farre from any ground of the Text, yea and plainly repugnant to the interpretation of the Angel; there is no man which being now admoniſhed, ſhall throughly conſider, but will confeſſe. It is therefore to be taken for true and certaine, that it is the ſeventh head alone in that ſcale of heads one ſtanding above another, being the higheſt in ſituation, the laſt in time, which beareth the hornes. I now therefore proceede to expound the remaining Effigies of the ſame laſt Beaſt.
And this Beaſt in the feete, by which the body is ſupported, with which it moveth and goeth, and the former of which in Beaſts are in ſtead of hands and armes for handling, ſnatching and fighting; in feet, I ſay doth exceedingly reſemble the Empire of the Perſians: ſince as they did relye upon the Councels of their *Magi Wiſards.Wiſe men in managing their affaires, ſo the Romane Kingdome of the laſt ſtate is governed by the authoritie of the Monks and Idolatrous Clarkes like to thoſe Wiſe men. Whether that belongeth which afterwards ſhall be ſaid of that other Beaſt the Verſ. 12.falſe Prophet, that he exerciſeth all the power of this tenne horned Beaſt before him. For feet here are to be conſidered, not as the baſeſt and more unworthy members of the body, but as they are in Beaſts, not onelyonly inſtruments of going, but alſo of fighting and Chap. 12.catching their prey; in which of Beares (I ſpeake of the former feet) the principall ſtrength of the body conſiſteth. Neither are feet here to be underſtood, that part onelyonly which maketh the tract upon the ground, but which as the foreſaid part comprehendeth the thighs and armes alſo.
To conclude, the tenne horned Beaſt, maketh Edicts with a Babylonian mouth; to wit, commanding the worſhipping of Idols and Images, denouncing the penalty of death and burning alive, againſt thoſe that refuſe, in like manner as that Nebuchadnezar againſt the Iewes refuſing to worſhip the golden Image, which he had erected to his Bel of ſixty cubits long, Dan. Chap. 3. Notwithſtanding I would not that the interpretation of others ſhould receive any prejudice by this of mine; theirs I meane, who conceive it rather reſpecteth the naturall diſpoſition of theſe three Beaſts; the nature or crueltie of all which the tenne horned ſhould expreſſe. Let every one uſe his owne judgement.
And the Dragon gave him (he that was caſt down who ſtood Verſ. 4.upon the Sea ſand) his power (that is his ſtrength or forces foreign or foreign) and his ſeat and great authoritie.
foreign with the Seventy ſignifieth forces or an Army, out of the uſe, as it ſeemeth of foreign of the Hebrewes, whereby both, as well ſtrength & power, as alſo an army is ſignified: the Seventy, Exod. 14. 28. concerning the Army of Pharaoh drowned doe thus tranſlate: The waters covered foreign all the Hoſt of Pharaoh: and 15. 4. foreign his Hoſt hath he caſt into the Sea: and ſo in many places; not onelyonly with them alone, but alſo with prophane writers. From this notion are foreign, The Lord of Hoſts. And Mat. 24. 29. foreign the powers or Hoſts of the heavens ſhall be ſhaken: likewiſe in the next verſ. it is ſaid, The Son of man ſhall come in the clouds of the heaven foreign. which in the Chapter following is expounded foreign Verſ. 31.foreign, in his glory, and with all the holy Angels with him. So in this place, The Dragon (or Satan) gave to the tenne horned Beaſt foreign, that is, his forces, or his Hoſt. Now the forces of Satan are his Angels or *Daemons.Devils, and Idols the receptacles of *Daemons.Divels. To wit, theſe forces, he gave to this laſt Beaſt to be garniſhed and adorned, together with his ſeat and great authoritie: that is, in one word, that univerſall authoritie, Chap. 13.from which lately he had fallen, being overcome and vanquiſhed by Michael and the holy Martyrs and Confeſſors of Chriſt. So that the Dragon or Satan, in this Beaſt of the laſt ſtate did in a certaine manner recover his ancient dominion which he had exerciſed in the ſtate of the Red Dragon; but in a repreſentation ſo unlike the former, that the Seed of the woman in the Wilderneſſe did for the preſent little obſerve it. For now the Dragon did not behave himſelfe like a Dragon as before, that is, he profeſſed not himſelfe to be what he was, the ſworne enemie of the Chriſtian profeſſion: for if he had done this, the Seed of the woman would preſently have knowne him, and would have taken heed of him as of a moſt cruell enemie; to wit, out of that inbred antipathy, which God even from the beginning of the world had ordained ſhould be between them: I will put, ſaith he, enmitie betweene thee and the woman, and betweene thy ſeede, and her ſeede. But ſurely when as he had transfigured himſelfe into the Gen. 3.15ſhape not of a Serpent, but of another Beaſt, having no affinitie with a Serpent; it was not ſo hard a matter for him to deceive the ſeede of the woman, (that is, the Chriſtian Church being joyfull for the late victory, and now ſecure from the Dragon) and to allure it to obey him. Which the falſe deceiver did ſo cunningly and ſecretly under the maske of a Beaſt which he himſelfe did hate: that not till it was too late the Church did know her ſelfe to be deceived by the old enemie, and to worſhip the Dragon under this maske. For who would have ſuſpected that under the repreſentation of a Leopard, or of a Panther (which is the ſame) there had lyen hid the Dragon; that is, under the ſhape of that Iſidor. lib. 12. 2. foreign ſo called becauſe he is the friend of all other Beaſts excepting the Dragon.Beaſt, which, when as other Beaſts being allured either by the beauty of the skinne, or the ſweetneſ…e of the ſmell, love to come neere unto and looke upon; onelyonly the Dragon is ſaid to abhorre and to flie from? Or, that I may a little more cleerely unfold the matter; who would have judged that under an Empire pretending the worſhip of Chriſtian Religion, demoliſhing Idols; horrible idolatry, and lately aboliſhed heatheniſme, ſhould be mainly ſet up, and promoted by lawes and Edicts.
And I ſaw one of his heads (to wit the ſixt) as it were, wounded Verſ. 3.to death (this came to paſ…e in the battell with Michael and the holy Martyrs) and his deadly wound was healed, to wit, by the medicine of this ſubſtituted authoritie.Chap. 13.
Now that the ſeven headed Dragon. (I meane the Romane Empire upon which the old Serpent did ſit, that is to ſay, Rome heathen) was the Beaſt of the fixt head; may as well appeare out of that which is ſaid afterward concerning thoſe heads, Chap. 17. that five were already fallen in Iohns time, one (which is the ſixt) governed the Romane State at that time; as alſo chiefly, becauſe that this Beaſt of the laſt courſe ſucceeded him next in the ſame ſeale. The Dragon, I ſay, is ſaid here to have given his ſeat to the Beaſt of the laſt courſe or ſeventh head; therefore he was his laſt predeceſſour, or a Beaſt of the laſt head ſave one. Neither let that move any man that yet under the courſe of the ſixt head, (this Beaſt) did notwithſtanding appear ſeven headed there in the viſion. …or although the heads kept their courſes, not together, but in order and one after another: yet notwithſtanding the Beaſt with all the furniture of his heads and hornes, is preſented under any State; to the end that one and the ſame Romane kingdom might be every where ſignified, although ſometime by ſome, ſometimes by other courſes of governments.
But let us return to the text; where the Complutenſe edition, Irenaeus, Aretas, the Siriaque Paraphraſt lately ſet forth, and among the Latines Primaſius conſenting doth not allow the word (vidi I ſaw) but joyneth the words foreign with the word foreign, as it were to this purpoſe, The Dragon gave him his power and his ſeat and great authoritie, and one of his heads wounded with a mortall ſtroke, that it might be healed. I ſuſpect that alſo the vulgar Latine anciently reade it ſo, becauſe of that (de capitibus ſuis) for otherwiſe it would ſeeme it ſhould have been ſaid (de capitibus eius) But whether this reading be to be preferred before the other, I will not raſhly affirme; only this; it ſeemeth to be ſo very ancient, that I marvell it is not marked by R. Stephanus. But whatſoever it be, the reading received, if we interpret it rightly and as the matter it ſelf altogether requireth, it will come plainly to the ſame ſenſe: I ſaw, ſaith he, one of his heads foreign, that is, as if it had been wounded to death; to wit, not then, the Apoſtle looking on, but before it roſe out of the Sea in this forme, foreign or in a preterpluperfect ſenſe: even as before, Chap. 5.6. he ſaid he had ſeene in the midſts of the Elders and Beaſts a Lambe ſtanding foreign, that is, as it had Chap. 13.been ſlaine, not ſlaine then while he looked on.
But that which is added concerning the curing of the wound, that either he ſaw done while yet the Beaſt roſe out of the Sea, or as ſoone as he roſe thence. Neither was this healing any later deſtinie (which notwithſtanding is beleeved of the moſt hitherto) but the very nativitie of the laſt Beaſt. There was a paſſage from every of the other heads to the courſe of the ſucceeding head, without a wound; but in the paſſage from the ſixt to the laſt, the Beaſt fell down with the deadly wound: from the healing whereof, I ſay, neither ſooner nor later, the ten horned Beaſt, or the Beaſt of the laſt head, tooke his beginning, neither fetcht he his originall higher. Which that it is ſo the whole order of the following narrat…on proveth. For whatſoever evill the Beaſt is mentioned to have committed, whatſoever worſhip and adoration is done unto him by the inhabitants of the earth, all that is ſaid to come to paſſe after the curing of that wound. I ſaw, ſaith he, one Verſ. 3.of his heads as it were wounded to death, and the wound of his death, or deadly wound, was healed, and the whole earth wondering followed the Beaſt, to wit now healed, and they worſhipped the Dragon, &c. Then alſo there was given unto him a mouth ſpeaking grea… things Verſ. 4.and blaſphemies, &c. And he opened his mouth againſt God, &c. Verſ. 5.All theſe things came to paſſe after the healing: but before this Verſ. 6.none of the hainous acts of the Beaſt are reported, no mention of any ſubjection or honour conferred upon him by the Nations. Whatſoever before is mentioned, pertaineth partly to the forme of the Beaſt, partly to the occaſion and manner of his riſing. And wherefore, I pray you, ſhould we frame unto our ſelves an Ante-chriſtian Beaſt, whereof for ſometime no actions are related, no perſecution mentioned? yea if we follow the reading of Iren… us and the Complutenſe, leaving out the word vidi, I ſaw, there will be no place more left for ſuch interpretation.
And all the world wondered after the Beaſt.Verſ. 3.
That is with full approbation and conſent they tooke part with the Beaſt.
And they worſhipped the Dragon which gave power unto the Beaſt, and they worſhipped the Beaſt, ſaying, who is like unto Verſ. 4.the Beaſt? who is able to make warre with him?
That is then worſhipped not the Beaſt ſimply as the Beaſt, but Chap. 13.alſo as the ſubſtitute of the Dragon; and therefore they worſhipped not the Beaſt only, but under the maske of the Beaſt the Dragon himſelf alſo. For to worſhip the Beaſt except as an Idolater the Dragons Vice-gerent, in which ſenſe it is here ſpoken, had been no more impious, then to yeeld obedience to any worldly authoritie. Doubtleſſe the Beaſt doth ſignifie the kingdom. Now to worſhip the Beaſt, out of the uſe of the Hebraiſme and the Eaſt, is no other thing, then to be ſubject to the ſame. Which that *foreign.explication added to the word of worſhipping doth not obſcurely ſhew: they worſhipped, ſaith he, the Beaſt, ſaying, who is like unto the Beaſt? who is able to make warre with him? As if he ſhould have ſaid, they did freely yeeld themſelves in obedience to the Beaſt, as to one who ſo farre excelled in power, that none was able to make reſiſtance or to wage warre with him. In which ſame ſenſe, Verſ. 12. the earth it ſelf and not alone the inhabitants thereof, is ſaid to have worſhipped the Beaſt, that is, to have yeelded to his dominion. foreign, ſaith he, foreign, &c. And ca…ſeth the Earth and them that dwell therein to worſhip, &c. So in the bleſſing of Iacob, Gen. 27. 29. Let people ſerve thee foreign and nations bowe down to thee: be lord over thy brethren foreign and let thy mothers ſonne bowe down to thee. Moreover …oncerning this acception of foreign: See Gen. 37. 7. and 49. 8. in the bleſſing of Iuda, alſo Eſa. 45. 14. But to be ſubject to the Beaſt according to his r…ligious conſtitution as he reſembleth the ſeven headed Dragon, that truly is blaſphemy and impious againſt God. Whereupon who doe ſo worſhip the Beaſt are ſaid to worſhip the Dragon in worſhipping the Beaſt.
And there was given to him a mouth ſpeaking great things and Verſ. 5.blaſphemies, and power was given unto him to *Fa…iendi of doing.continue fourtie and two moneths.
Hitherto of the conſtitution and ſtate of the Beaſt. Hereafter is expounded, in what matters he exerciſed his power committed to him by the Dragon; that is to ſay in two; in blaſphemy againſt God, and perſecution of the Saints. But the whole deſcription is taken out of the propheſie of Daniel, Chap. 7. where is handled the ſame Romane Beaſt of the laſt State which is here ſpoken of. But thoſe things which are declared there by the Angel to Daniel more ſuccinctly, are here opened more at large to Chap. 1….Iohn, as it were an explication being interpoſed.
There was given to him, ſaith he, a mouth ſpeaking great things; thoſe words (a mouth ſpeaking great things) are out of Daniel; but here thoſe great words are expounded by blaſphemies: by which name, as by and by ſhall be ſaid, Idol worſhip is ſignified, a matter indeed of the higheſt contumely againſt God. Further he ſaith, that the Beaſt ſhould ſo blaſpheme forti… two moneths, to wit, annall moneths; during the very ſame ſpace of time, wherein the Gentiles ſhould trample the ou…er Court of the Temple, or the holy Citie; and not without cauſe: for ſince that prophanation of the Gentiles doth altogether tend to the ſame impietie, whereunto the blaſphemie of the Beaſt doth; each of them may ſignifie the dominion of the power of darkneſſe and of the night, and therefore meaſured not by yeers or dayes, according to the motion of the Sun, but by moneths after the motion of the Moon, which ruleth the night. And ſurely, unleſſe the holy Ghoſt would have the ſpecifying of the time to be referred to the blaſphemie; to what end hath he brought it in in this place preſently after the mentioning of blaſphemie? Therefore the moneths of the Beaſt are not to be meaſured from the beginning of his cruelty or warre againſt the Saints, but of his blaſphemy. So that if the word of doing ſhould ſignifie …e certaine act or ſtate of the authoritie of the Beaſt (ſome ſuch thing ſome may imagine is meant here by the power of acting or doing) that ſhould be altogether referred to the act of blaſpheming. But foreign ſeemeth rather to be uſed in the ſignification of continuing or abiding, as otherwhere it is wont being joyned with words of time. For ſo Acts 15. 33. foreign after they had tarried there a ſpace: and 18. 23. foreign, when he had ſpent ſome time, or ſome while: and 20. 3. foreign, there abode three moneths. 2 Cor. 11. 25. foreign, a night and a day I have been in the deepe. Adde Jam's 4. 13. To day or to morrow we will goe into ſuch a citie, foreign and continue there a yeere. Where Druſius noteth foreign to be ſo uſed, …ccleſ 6. 14. and facere in the Latine tongue, Seneca epiſt. 67. Quamvis pa… ciſſimos unà fecerimus dies, although we tarried but a few dayes. *In tabella …ar…orea.…n the ma…ble table; Cum qua fecit annos 9. with whom he dwelt nine yeers. Apud A ſenum 1. c. Is ſervus fugerat & annum à ſuga fecerat i. egerat, manſerat, finierat, tranſegerat. That ſervant Chap. 13.fled and continued (that is) he dwelt, he abode, he ended, he ſpent, a yeere in flight. Theſe things being thus, why may not theſe words, (Beſtia fecit menſes quadraginta du…s) have this conſtruction, the Beaſt lived, remained, continued blaſpheming fourtie two moneths? The force of which ſpeech thoſe that underſtood not, ſeeme to have inſerted into the text that word foreign warre which is extant in ſome coppies.
Now that which I ſaid, that here by the name of blaſphemy, as it were by way of eminency, is ſignified Idolatry, or ſpirituall fornication: that may be proved by a double or treble argument. Firſt becauſe Babylon the Metropolis of this Beaſt, is termed the mother of harlots, and the Kings and inhabitants of the Earth are ſaid to play the harlots with her. But the Beaſt, which we have in hand, is none other thing, but the generality of thoſe Kings and inhabitants. Secondly, it muſt be ſuch a manner of blaſphemy as may fall into the courſes of the next antecedent, yea rather of all the other heads; for the names of Blaſphemy were put upon them all, Verſ. 1. Adde hereunto that this Beaſt of the laſt courſe is deſcended and compact of the renewing of the impiety of his predeceſſour of the ſixt courſe. Now what blaſphemy can be given to all theſe in common, except onelyonly idolatry? None at all.
The uſe of Scripture, expreſſing the idolatry of the ancient people by this name doth further confirme this. Which that it may be underſtood, it is to be known, that there are three words in the Hebrew rendered in the acception of blaſphemy by the Greeke interpreters, and the vulgar Latine, foreign and foreign all which ſignifie idolatry.
For the word foreign, Ezek. 20. 27. yet in this your fathers have * blaſphemed me, when I had brought them into the land; for the foreignwhich I lifted up my hand to give it to them. They ſaw every high hill and all the thicke trees, and they offered there their ſacrifices, &c.
For the word foreign Eſay 65. 7. which have ſacrificed upon the mountaines and upon the hills foreign have reproached me. In the Engliſh tranſlation have blaſphemed me. And ſurely foreign anſwereth the Greeke foreign exactly as Theodotion hath tranſlated, Prov. 14. 31. for each of them ſignifyeth to reproach. Whereupon 2 Kings 19. 22. it is joyned with foreign as a Synonima: foreign whom haſte thou reproached and blaſphemed? as alſo Pſal. 44. 16. The Septuagints are wont to render each of them Chap. 13.by foreign, which ſignifie to reproach to provoke. Alſo the Chalde rendereth each of them by their word foreign which alſo ſignifieth to reproach. Furthermore (that I may adde this alſo) that it was uſuall not only with Eſay, but alſo with the Iews of the later age, by the *Nomenclatura.name of blaſphemy, to underſtand the worſhip of idols, may be gathered even out of the Chalde Paraphraſt where Pſal. 69. 10. for thoſe words, the reproach of them that reproached thee hath fallen upon mee, the Chalde hath The rebukes of the wicked who rebuke thee, while they make their idols partakers of thy glory, have fallen upon me.
It remaineth concerning the word foreign which is the other of the two to which in the ſeventie foreign anſwereth. In Forſter it is to vexe with contumelies, reproaches, curſing words. Ierome in the Pſalmes according to the Hebrew truth, as often as it fa…leth out (and it happeneth five times) alwayes tranſlateth it to blaſpheme, with others it is to contemne, or contemptuouſly to provoke; ſo that the moſt true ſignification may ſeeme to be, with reproaches and contumelies to provoke to wrath. By this word, I ſay, as well as by the former that idolatry is ſignified, may appeare out of Deut. 31. 20. When they ſhall have eaten, ſaith he, and filled themſelves, they will turne unto other Gods and ſerve them foreign Detrahentque mihi.and will reproach me. So indeed is the vulgar in this place, in the ſenſe of blaſpheming, though not in the word. For what other thing is it, to detract from God, then to blaſpheme him? But otherwhere he expreſſeth the word alſo, as Ierm. 23. 15. 17. from the Prophets of Ieruſalem is pollution gone forth upon all the land. They ſay foreign unto them that blaſpheme me (…ow the ſpeech is of idolaters) the Lord hath ſaid, ye ſhall have peace and every one that walketh in the crookedneſſe of his own heart.
To theſe if you pleaſe, may be added for illuſtration ſake, that the prophanations of Antiochus wherewith he polluted the Temple of God and his holy things, are called foreign, blaſphemies, 1 Mac. 2. 6. and 2 Mac. 8. 4. And that Kimchi interpreteth that of, Gen. 4. 26. Then the name of the Lord was prophaned by calling upon it in an acception not much different: thus, Then men went aſtray after idol… and the invocation upon the name of the Lord was polluted and prophaned. But how rightly I enquire not; yet ſo he hath turned it and tooke it.
Hereupon with the Schoole Doctors there are three kinds of blaſphemy: one when that is attributed to God which agreeth Chap. 12.not unto him: Another, when that is taken from God which is due to him: A third, when that is attributed to the creature which is appropriated to God, as in idolatry. For even as an adulterous wife reproacheth her husband, ſo the Church proſtituting her ſelf to idols, reproacheth God: ſince idolatry is ſpirituall adultery.
And he opened his mouth in blaſphemy againſt God, to blaſpheme his name and his tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven.Verſ. 6.
What heretofore he had ſpoken generally concerning blaſphemy, here he ſpecially proſecuteth, and diſtinguiſheth a three-fold idolatry of the Beaſt. For firſt he blaſphemeth the name of God; to wit, in the worſhipping of images, aſcribing the incommunicable name of God vntounto ſtocks and ſtones. Wiſd. 14. 21. or the name of God, that is, his perſon, (give me leave ſo to ſpeake) which then cometh to paſſe, when any thing beſides God himſelfe is worſhipped with divine honour. Secondly, his tabernacle, that is, the humane nature of Chriſt, wherein the Deitie dwelleth *foreign. Pitched his Tabernacle.perſonally. foreign, and the word was made fleſh, and dwelt among us, Ioh. 1. 14 and Ioh. 2. 19. Deſtroy this temple and in three dayes I will raiſe it up. But he ſpake, ſaith the Evangeliſt, of the temple of his body. And is not that alſo to this purpoſe (a much more perfect tabernacle then that which was made with hands) Hebr. 9. 11. This tabernacle I ſay the Beaſt blaſphemeth, whiles he beleeveth the body of Chriſt is daily made of bread by the tranſubſtantiating Prieſt, and therefore adoreth the Bread inſtead of Chriſt the tabernacle of God; yea he taketh it for a ſacrifice propitiatory for the living and the dead, as it were crucifying Chriſt afreſh. Alſo he blaſphemeth the heavenly inhabitants, that is, the Angels and Saints of heaven, whiles he calleth the Devils and Idols which hee worſhippeth by their names, what a reproach is this againſt the bleſſed ſpirits? yea, and a contumely alſo againſt Chriſt their Lord? in derogation of whoſe prerogative and glory, they are ſet up, even againſt their wils as mediators and interceſſours with God, patrones and protectors of mortall men after the cuſtome of the heathen. See thoſe things which we have written out of the divinitie of the Gentiles concerning Devils and their offices at the end of the ſixt trumpet. And the Beaſt not content with this alone, moreover diſgraceth the bleſſed ſpirits with contumelious and wicked fables and miracles; that thou mayeſt doubt whether he ſin more Chap. 13.by the worſhip which he would ſeeme to give unto them, or by contumelious fables.
Hitherto concerning the blaſphemy; it followeth concerning the other part of the Beaſts impietie, whereby he ſheweth himſelf the Deputie of the red Dragon by perſecuting the Saints.
For moreover, it was given to him, ſaith he, to make warre with Verſ. 7.the Saints and to overcome them.
In Daniel thus: made warre with the Saints and prevailed againſt Dan. 7.21.them. But with what Saints? to wit, with the ſeed which happened to the woman in the wilderneſſe. Now although the whole raigne of the Beaſt be a certaine warre againſt the Saints, (according to that which was ſaid in the beginning, and the Dragon being wroth went, under the maske of this Beaſt, to make warre with the remnant of the ſeed of the woman which kept the commandements of God and have the teſtimony of Ieſus) notwithſtanding another manner of warre is here meant, as appeareth, Verſ. 10. where concerning the like recompence *Talio.at length to be rendered to the Beaſt, it is ſaid, He that leadeth into captivitie, &c. He that killeth with the ſword, muſt be killed with the ſword. It is a warre therefore that is waged with ſlaughter and blood. Adde hereunto that we yet handle the deſcription not of the Eccleſiaſti…all Beaſt but the ſecular, with which a warre of another kinde will ſcarcely agree properly.
But this warre the Beaſt did not wage preſently at his beginning, but after he had come to his perfection; *1. The 1200 yeere.in the twelfth age from the birth of Chriſt. His firſt expedition fell heavie upon the Albigenſes and Waldenſes and by what other name ſoever the true worſhippers of Chriſt were then called: of whom there was ſuch a ſlaughter, that through France alone, if P. Perionius in his Hiſtory of that Warre make a right account, there were ſlaine at the hand of ten hundred thouſand men. For this crueltie extended not onelyonly to burning men alive, loſſe of their goods, baniſhments, and other puniſhments of that kinde; but, that nothing might be wanting in ſo cruell a perſecution to the true name of a warre, whole armies were muſtered againſt them, and with thoſe expeditions bearing the Croſſe, firſt appointed againſt the Saracens, now turned againſt Chriſtians of the uncorrupted and pure Religion, who refuſed to worſhip the Beaſt, they rag…d with incredible furie and crueltie about ſeventy yeers. Hiſtories of this ſlaughter Chap. 13.are ordinarie, to which I referre the Reader▪ Notwithſtanding I am diſpoſed to recite the words of Thuanus an excellent Hiſtorian but of the other ſide; Againſt the Waldenſes, (ſaith he, in the Preface of the Hiſtory of his time) when as exquiſite puniſhments did little prevaile, and the evill was exaſperated by the remedie which was unſeaſonably applyed▪ and the number of them daily encreaſed, whole armies at length were muſtered; neither was the warre fought againſt them of leſſe weight, then that which ours before waged againſt the Saracens; of Which this was the iſſue, that they were rather beaten, put to flight, every where ſpoyled of their goods and dignities, and ſcattered here and there, then being convicted of errour, brought to repentance. Therefore they who had defended themſelves with armes in the beginning, afterwards being conquered by armes, fled for refuge into our countrey of Province, and the Alpes bor…ring upon France, and found in thoſe places refuges for their … and doctrine: A part departed into Calabria, and there continued long, even till the Popedom of Pius 4. A part paſſed over into Germany and ſetled their dwelling among the Boh…mians, in Polonia and Livonia: others turning Weſtward foundrefuge in Britaine.
But truly in this warre, this alſo happeneth worthy of memorie, that the Albigenſes themſelves being conquered upon a time at Morellum with a great overthrow by Symon Monfort, Captaine of the ſouldiers *Cruce ſignatorum.of the Croſſe, ſeemed to have made uſe of this Propheſie concerning the Beaſt his overcomming of the Saints for an Argument of comfort and conſtancie. For when the Biſhop of Toloſſe hindering the ſlaughter, admoniſhed thoſe Out of the Epi…es of the Prelates of France who …llowed the campe of the ouldiers of the Croſſe at the latter end of the …on…inuation of th… holy Warre. Edit. Baſi…. … 1560 pag. … ▪which happily yet remaining abode in their Tents, by ſending a religious man unto them, that being convinced by ſo great a ſcourge of God being angry & as it were giving ſentence againſt them, now at length leaving their madneſſe they would be converted to the faith which they call Catholique: they retorting the ſentence, that they were the vanquiſhed people of Chriſt, as it were with this ſhield they fruſtrated the Biſhops purpoſe, and all of them to the laſt man valiantly died, being ſlaine by the hand of the ſouldiers returning back upon them.
After this warre upon the Waldenſes and Albigenſes, cruelly did the Beaſt rage divers waies, as well againſt other remnants of them and in other places, as alſo againſt others their companions Chap. 13.of the ſame pure Religion in what place ſoever: till at length nevertheleſſe after the yeere 1500. whole Kingdomes, Principalities, Common-wealths, the Churches being reformed, fell away from the dominion of the Beaſt to the partie of the Saints. Againſt whom afterward warre is waged, and continueth at this day, neither ſhall it be ended, untill the ruine of the Beaſt.
Now if any doe diligently conſider the whole ſeries of this ſlaughter compr…hended in ſome few more then foure hundred and fiftie yeeres, and caſt the account of the number ſlaine: either I am deceived or he will ſee and wonder that perſecution of the Beaſt not onelyonly to have equalled, but alſo exceeded thoſe tenne heathen Perſecutions when as yet the Dragon in his owne name bare ſway. We heretofore ſhewed the number of the Albigenſes and Waldenſes that were ſlaine eſtimated to tenne hundred thouſand men. From thence to the reformation of the Church, no man hath ſet downe the account of them that have beene cut off partly by fire, partly by ſword, partly by other torments. When as not withſtanding it is knowne to be no ſmall number. From the beginning of the Jeſuites to the yeere 1580. that is, in little more the thirty yeeres, Baldwinus de Antichriſt… noteth almoſt Cap. 6. n. 41.nine hundred thouſand Orthodoxe Chriſtians to have beene put to death, and that alone by the hand of the Executioner, the Duke … Alva that cruell Champion of the See of Rome aFra. Jun. & Tilenus ad Bellar. lib. 3. de Pont. Rom. cap. 7.gloried that he had beene the authour of the ſlaughter of 36000. ſoules in Belgium onelyonly within a few yeeres. bDou…a… de Antich. pag. 4.50.Vergerius witneſſeth who beſt knew it, that the Inquiſition, as they call it of haereticall pravitie, in ſcarce thirty yeers ſpace conſumed one hundred and fifty thouſand Chriſtians by ſundry manners of torments. *De viſibili Monarch. lib. 8. dein. 34.Sanders confeſſeth that many Lollards and Sacramentaries throughout all Europe were burned; who notwithſtanding, …aith he, were not put to death by the Pope and Biſhops, but by Civill Magiſtrates; even ſo, as it was propheſied it was to come to paſſe. For of the Secular Beaſt it is ſaid, that he ſhould make warre with the Saints, and overcome them: and Chap. 17. verſ. 14. Of the te…s Kings that they ſhall make warre with the Lambe and with his elect and faithfull; but of the Eccleſiaſticall Beaſt, not that he himſelfe ſhall kill with the Sword but cauſe that whoſoever will Verſ. 15.not worſhip the Image of the Beaſt, be ſlai…e with the Sword by the Chap. 13.ſame Image of the Beaſt, as a little after we ſhall ſee. It followeth.
And power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and Verſ. 7.nations.
But what is this power? Is it of ſubduing the Saints? as if it ſhould extend it ſelfe ſo farre as the Romane Dominion reacheth. For happily the ſpeech is not of the largeneſſe of Dominion but of Perſecution. But if any would rather take it otherwiſe, the ſenſe will be, that the authoritie of the Beaſt ſhall be ſo great, that no kindred, Tongue or Nation can reſiſt his impietie. Now here he meaneth not every ſeverall man (ſince there are many found in every age who kept their covenant with the Lambe) but entire kindreds, tongues, and nations, that is, Common-wealthes; of which, it is moſt true, that there was none found whom the Beaſt had not holden in obedience to his impiety for many ages: ſo that thoſe Chriſtians truly ſo called, which dwelt diſperſed here and there throughout the Provinces of the Beaſt, alone for that time made the undefiled Virgine Church; as who had (it is a griefe to thinke of it) no Citie, Common-wealth, much leſſe any Principalitie, or Kingdome of their profeſſion. But here it is to be remembred that the forme of the Beaſt is that impiety which ſucceeded the Dragon by communion whereof thoſe many Kingdomes (as we have ſaid) of the Romane Empire become one Beaſt. They therefore that took this upon them, are ſaid to yeeld to the authority of the Beaſt. Which all kindreds, tongues, and nations did.
And all that dwell upon the earth ſhall worſhip him, whoſe names are not written in the Booke of life of the Lambe ſlaine from Verſ. ….the foundation of the world.
If any man have an eare, let him heare.
Now leaſt any one being bewitched by ſo univerſall and Catholique Verſ. 9.conſent to the lawes of the Beaſt, ſhould preſume it to be piouſly and well done, and that he may follow the example of ſo many kindreds, nations, and people, without danger; or elſ… being diſcouraged and weakned with the grievouſneſſe of the perſecution, breake his covenant made with the Lambe, and yeeld to worſhip the Beaſt: the holy Ghoſt denouneeth in what ſtate and account they are with God, who ſhall yeeld obedience to this moſter of impiety, by a very fearefull Elogie: to wit, that Chap. 13.they are not regiſtred in the Catalogue of that Lambe ſlaine, but being deprived of the Kingdome of God, ſhall periſh eternally.
To this dreadfull Admonition is joyned an Apoſtrophe to move attention: If any man, ſaith he, have an eare, let him hear: as Verſ. 9.if he ſhould ſay, O ye godly Chriſtians, liſten attentively, & deeply ponder what was even now uttered of the ſo unhappy condition of the followers of the Beaſt; neither is it a matter of light moment, but even ſuch as whereon the maine point of your ſalvation dependeth. For ſo ought the words to be referred to the former, and not to the words following; in like manner as it is evident the ſame are referred in the Epiſtles to the Churches twiſe or thrice. See Chap. 2.29. Chap 3. verſ. 6.13.22.
He that leadeth into captivitie, ſhall goe into captivitie: he that Verſ. 10.killeth with the ſword, muſt be killed with the ſword.
A conſolatorie Epiphonema of the godly againſt whom, refuſing to obey him, the Beaſt ſhould cruelly rage with warre, impriſonment, and moſt cruell puniſhments: to wit, that it ſhall come to paſſe hereafter that God, their juſt avenger, ſhall exact puniſhment of ſo many ſlaughters, and ſo great cruelties, and render the like to the outragious Monſter.
And here is, ſaith he, the patience and the faith of the Saints.
That is, the Saints being confident of the equitie of the ſupreme Verſ. 10.Divine power & of his Iuſtice in diſpoſing humane affairs, ſhall be little troubled or dejected in their mindes at thoſe things which they ſhould ſuffer; but couragiouſly reſiſting the Beaſt, conſtantly and patiently expect revenge certainly and abundantly to come from God.
So hitherto we have handled the Secular Beaſt; now the Apoſtle proceedeth to the deſcription of the other Beaſt ſeene by him, to wit, the Eccleſiaſticall Beaſt, or rather Pſeudopropheticall which exerciſeth the government of the former Beaſt and his blaſphemies.
Concerning the other two horned Beaſt or the falſe Prophet.
The two horned Beaſt or fal…e Prophet is the Biſhop of Rome Verſ. 11, &c.with his Clergie; having hornes indeed like a Lambe, of whoſe authoritie of binding and looſing he braggeth that he hath a deputation, Chap. 13.but ſpeaking Idolatry and ſlaughtering of the Saints as the Dragon. For this Beaſt was the author and founder of that tenne horned Beaſt, ſucceſſour to the Dragon for tyranny and blaſphemies under the maske of Chriſtian profeſſion, whoſe authoritie likewiſe as he exerciſeth, in the function of a high Prieſt; ſo alſo the Pope himſelf taketh upon him to be head and Monarch of the ſame, no leſſe then of his Clergie (with whom ſeverally he maketh up the Pſeudopropheticall Beaſt) making that ſeventh and laſt head of the Romane Common-wealth, in the Citie ſtanding upon ſeven hils: who doubtleſſe by ſignes and miracles, which to doe or to feigne was given to him with his Clergie; eſpecially by the thunderbo…t of Excommunication as of Divine revenge he brought by little and little to that paſſe, that the Kings lately riſen up out of the diſſipated Empire of the Caeſars in the Romane Common-wealth; with one conſent ſubjecting their necks to him and to Rome now otherwiſe without Empire, they put on the Image of the old and now demoliſhed heathen Empire. Which ſo happily proſpered with him, that the Romane Beaſt the Caeſarean head being wounded, not onelyonly revived plainly in that Image, but even the Image it ſelfe at the pleaſure of the falſe Prophet puniſhed with the Secular Sword, even as the falſe Prophet with the Spirituall, any whoſoever ſhould be diſobedient.
And I ſaw, ſaith he, another Beaſt coming up out of the earth Verſ. 11.and he had two hornes like a Lambe, but he ſpake a… a Dragon.
He ſaw another, to wit, the Pſeudopropheticall or Pſeudo Eccleſiaſticall Beaſt, which, as we ſaid, the Pope of Rome with his Clergie make up. For the Pope by himſelfe and alone, though he may be termed a falſe Prophet, yet he maketh not up the Beaſt, except his Clergie be joyned with him: ſince the Beaſt doth ſignifie a company of men compoſed of a certaine order of members like as a Beaſt hath; not one man alone. But he ſeeth him coming up out of the earth: that is not as that former, out of the Sea or dominions of the world, that is to ſay iſſuing from a more noble pedigree; but ſprung from the loweſt condition: or rather begotten, not by the aſſembly of armies or people contending by warre, as that Secular Beaſt; but ſpringing up ſecretly and without noyſe, like hearbes and plants growing out of the earth. For the Sea, a…it may ſignifie a company of people in one Dominion… Chap. 13.ſo in warre, an Army. And he had two hornes lik… a L…: that is, that two-fold power of binding and looſing committed to Peter and the reſt of the Apoſtles by Chriſt, and in that point indeed like the Lambe, in as much as he ſaid. As my Father hath ſent Iohn 20. 21.me, ſo ſend I you. Surely this authoriti… the Beaſt pretendeth, and in that he carrieth himſelfe as Chriſts Vicar: but he ſpeaketh as the Dragon, intruth the red Dragon whom Michael a little before had caſt downe and deprived of the Romane Empire: whiles that, as he, he patronizeth the worſhip of falſe Gods and Idols by his authoritie and Decrees, and in like manner cauſeth the true and pure worſhippers of that ſ…aine L…e to be rooted out by perſecutions and ſlaughters.
For he exerciſeth all the power of the former Beaſt before him.
Verſ. 12.That fiduciarie power of the Dragon, committed upon truſt to the former Beaſt, and conſiſting in Idoll worſhip… the two horned Beaſt exerciſeth, as High Prieſt; who is to have the …hie… overſight in the execution of religiousacts. In the preſence of the Beaſt, is the ſame as with him or in his behalfe; as if he ſhould ſay, this two horned Beaſt, is Chaplaine to the tenhorned Beaſt; ſo that it ought not to be wondred at if he ſpeake like the Dragon… For ſo the Hebrew foreign to which foreign anſwereth, ſometime is aequivalent to the dative caſe of the perſon to whom ſomething is acquired, or for whoſe ſake it is done; as …o… that which is ſaid, … Sam. 2. 18. Samu…l was foreign miniſ…ring before the Lord, it is Chap. 3. 1. foreign miniſ…ring to the Lord. And particularly, doth the Pope of Ro… the head of the Beaſt exerciſe the ſupreme regiment of that Beaſt alſo.
Moreover he cauſeth, that the earth and they that dwell therein. doe worſhip the firſt Beaſt, whoſe deadly wound was …al…d.
That is, whatſoever at all that firſt Beaſt be, whatſoever obedience is given to his impi…ti…, he acknowledgeth this High Prieſt the author thereof: as by whoſe meanes it is brought to paſſe, that the earth and the inhabitants thereof worſ…ipped that firſt Beaſt, wch being healed of the mortall wound roſe out of the Sea. By what way and by what means and crafty fetches he compaſſed it, that he d…lar…th particularly *foreign.in that which followeth.
For, ſaith he, … …th great wonders, ſo th… he maketh…fire come Verſ. 13.… from heaven on the earth in the ſight of men. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by reaſon of thoſe Chap. 12.miracles which he had power to doe in the ſight of the Beaſt, Verſ. 14.ſaying to them that dwell on the earth, that they ſhould make an Image of the Beaſt which had the wound by a ſword, and he lived.
For he doth foreign. for the Hebrew van and thence foreign in the Scripture is a conjunction not onelyonly Copulative, but alſo diſjunctive, rationall, cauſall, ordinative, explanative, as the reaſon of the ſenſe requireth; which once to have ſhewed let it ſuffic…. Now to the matter. The Pſeudopropheticall or Pontificiall Beaſt, was the authour unto the nations of eſtabliſhing that tenne horned Beaſt whereby the power of the Dragon revived. For by wonders and miracles he perſwaded them, to conſent with him in framing the Image of the Beaſt ſlaine in the ſixt head. Which at length being formed according to his pleaſure, that wound received in the ſtate of the Dragon, ſeemed to be cured, and the Dragon-worſhipping Beaſt to be renewed, by the bringing in of new Idolatrie and tyranny like the former. For the Romane Beaſt of the laſt head, is the Image of the Beaſt ſlaine in the ſixt head, He ſaid, ſaith he, to them that dwell on the earth, that they ſhould …ake Verſ. 14.an Image of the Beaſt which had the wound by a ſword: that is, his Image in ſuch condition as it was, when he received the wound. foreign and he lived, that is, and ſo at length the Beaſt revived or was renewed. For theſe words doe not belong to the deſcription of the Beaſt whoſe Image was to be expreſſed, as it were the words of the falſe Prophet ſpeaking; but of the Angel reporting or bringing in the event of that counſell: to wit, ſo that ſlain Beaſt revived. And it is as if he had more at large ſaid after this manner. foreign, …ying, to them that dwell on the earth, that they ſhould make an Image of the Beaſt which was wounded with the ſword; (and they did ſo) and he revived. As 2 King. 20. 7. Eſay ſaid, Take a …mpe of dry figges; and they tooke and laid it on the boyle, foreign and …e r…o… vered, that is to ſay, Ezechias or the boyle.
Doubtle…e this is that which was ſaid in the deſcription of that Secular Beaſt, that the Dragon gave him his power and gr…at authoritie, and thereupon his mortall wound recovered; that is, the Dragon imprinted the forme of his worſhip and authoritie upon a Beaſt of another religion, whiles he placed his Angels or Chap. 13.*Daemons.Devils, not indeed as in time paſt, by thoſe titles by which they profeſſed themſelves enemies of our Lord Chriſt, but under colour of Chriſtian Religion, to be worſhipped by the names of Saints and good Angels; yea and (O blaſphemie!) of Chriſt himſelfe. For he who worſhippeth Idols, by what name ſoever he calleth them, worſhippeth Devils.
Yea and that nothing might be wanting to the full Image of the ſlaine Beaſt, that is, of the Dragon; the Pope himſelfe alſo cauſed himſelfe to be honoured with divine honours and authoritie peculiar to God, as certaine Emperours worſhippers of the Dragon had done: ſo that he as God ſitteth in the Temple of God 2 Theſſ. 2. 4.ſhewing himſelfe that he is God, as Paul ſaith. Which although Iohn or the Angel revealing the hiſtory of the Beaſt unto him, doth not here ſpecially touch, yet under the generall name of an Image, he would have it comprehended a part of that ſimilitude wherein the ſlaine Beaſt is reſembled.
And hitherto of the framing of the image; now of the wonders uſed for perſwaſion thereof. He doth, ſaith he, great wonders ſo that he even maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth. I ſhould here not unwillingly fall into the opinion of Graſerus, if it could be warranted by the writings of the Hebrews; that this bringing fire from Heaven ſhould be ſpoken by a proverbiall hyperbole, *foreign.for amplification of that which went before, as if it had been ſaid, He doth great wonders, yea even ſuch and ſo great, that they may ſeeme not farre different from the miracles of Eliah himſelfe, by which he did vindicate the true worſhip of God. For the Iewes commonly, ſaith Graſerus, doe attribute ſo much to that miracle of Eliah, that they uſe it proverbially for all wonderfull workes wherein the glory of God is more co…ſpicuous.
But if any man be not pleaſed here with, let him follow the Complutenſe reading witneſſed alſo by many other coppies (foreign he doth great wonders, and cauſeth that fire commeth down out of heaven upon the earth) and ſo, as if the ſumme of thoſe things which are more largely ſet forth afterward were propounded in theſe words; let him interpret it of a double kinde of means, which the falſe Prophet ſhould uſe, to induce the inhabitants of the Chriſtian world, to frame anew the Image of the Beaſt ſlaine in his ſixt head; that is to ſay, by proviſion of miracles, and excommunication. By the one Chap. 13.of which he might draw the nations unto errour, by the other he might breake the contumacy and pride of the ſtubborn. For both theſe, and to what end they tend, are handled in order in the words following. Concerning the wonders, in theſe words: And Verſ. 14.he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the wonders which he had power to doe, ſaying to them that dwell on the earth, that they ſhould make the Image of the Beaſt which was wounded with the ſword; and the words that follow to the 16. verſ. But concerning Verſ. 16.excommunication in theſe: He cauſeth all to receive a marke in their right hand, or in their foreheads, and that no man might buy Verſ. 17.or ſell, ſave he that had the marke, or the name of the Beaſt, or the number of his name. A Synechdochicall ſpeech, whereby the cenſure of the Eccleſiaſticall Anath…ma is meant, by the forbidding of commerce with others. And that truly is not unaptly reſembled to fire from heaven, or lightening. For what is it I pray you, in the name of God to deliver any one over to that eternall fire, other then to call for fire from heaven? eſpecially ſince that puniſhment of the wicked proceeding from God, is againe and againe in this booke ſet forth by the lake of fire and brimſtone, or Aſphaltites where Sodom and Gomorrha were burned with fire rained down from heaven. Yea the Apoſtle Peter teacheth, 2 Pet. 2. 6. that God hath ordained that burning, foreign, that is by *Ellipſis.defect of the former ſubſtantive uſuall in the Hebrew foreign, an example of their puniſhment that after ſhould live ungodly: And I…de delivering the meaning of Peter here more plainly foreign, that is, to beare the likeneſſe or type of eternall fire, or to reſemble the pain of eternall fire. For that the words of Iude are ſo to be interpreted, or in a like ſenſe the comparing of the words of both the Apoſtles together, and the nature of the thing it ſelf, will perſwade the conſiderate Reader.
VponUpon which occaſion give me leave to adde this alſo; becauſe it was wonderfull memorable, and a ſorrowfull …men of the Iews now rejected of God, which Ioſephus reporteth befell them in De bello Iudaicol. 5. c. 3. according to the diſtinction of ….the very beginning of that fatall warre, the overthrow being received at the paſſage of Iordan from the countrey of Iericho: to wit, when ſome were by the enemy throwne into the river, others not being able to withſtand their force leapt into it of their own accord, the lake Aſphaltites was filled with the dead bodies Chap. 13.tumbled down with the ſtreame of the river, by which accident, ſaith he, the affliction though in it ſelf moſt grievous, yet to the Iews ſeemed to exceed itſelf.
But as touching the event of the propheſie; concerning the wonders, it is notorious, that that univerſall Idolatry which hath raigned in the kingdome of the Beaſt for about 1200 yeers, as well that firſt begotten conſiſting in the worſhip of Saints departed, Reliques and Angels, as the worſhipping of Images in the next place, and in concluſion that laſt b…aſphemy of the breaden God, at firſt was commended to poore Chriſtians, afterwards they were perſwaded to it and confirmed in it by an abundant company of wonders, to wit, by cures and miraculous viſions, reſtraining of Devils at leaſt in ſhew, and other effects to be admired, and that not of one kinde. All which the two horned Beaſt or the Pope of Rome with his guard of falſe prophets, is ſaid to have done, as farre forth as they themſelves have …eigned, or being ſeigned by others, they have approved by their authoritie, or thoſe things which in truth were the works and deluſions of Devils, they have obtruded for true and divine miracles to ſeduce the Chriſtian world. Doubtleſſe this is that very ſame thing which the Apoſtle Paul to the Theſſalonians foretold, That the coming of the man of Sin ſhall be after the working of Satan, with all power 2 Theſſ. 2.9.and ſignes, and lying wonders, and with all deceiveableneſſe of unrighteouſneſſe.
Now examples of the Popes lightening or Anathema, whereby he hath vindicated his authority in determining and commanding, they ſurely are ſo obvious to every one, that my labour of citing them out of the Annals of the Church here may be altogether ſpared. One thing very notable I will call to remembrance, and which ſo neerely toucheth the Image, the framing whereof we now deale with, that it alone may ſuffice to confirme the truth of this propheſie.
To wit, in that controverſie with the Greeks concerning the *Iconomachica.oppugning of Images which aroſe about the yeere 720. and was agitated with great heate and perſecution of Idolaters for 120 yeers, it can ſcarcely be told into what danger that Image of the ſlaine Dragon, as then yet rude and unperfect, nor as yet complete was brought. Neither the worſhipping of Images alone as it is commonly beleeved, but alſo of Saints departed and reliques Chap. 13.was ſtrongly oppoſed in that controverſie, Leo Iſa…rious (ſaith Theophanes hiſt. Miſcol. lib. 21. cap. 23.) did wickedly erre not only For his is the Hiſtory called Miſcella from the 17. booke which is falſly ſpread abroad in the name of Paulu… Diaconus, tra…ſlated out of Greeke by Anaſiaſius the Library Keeper, he flouriſhed under Nicephorus and Ee… the … Se… Baron. an… 7.17. 20. & 813. 8, 9, 10.about the relative adoration of venorable Images (foreign) but alſo about the interceſſions of the moſt chaſte mather of God, and of all Saints, whoſe reliques that moſt wicked va…let as his maſters the A…bians (that is the Muhamedans) deteſted. The ſame he ſaith of Conſtantine, whom the Patrons of Idols called in diſgrace Copronymus, in the ſame book the laſt Chapter. This moſt pernicious, ſaith he; and …, fierce man, &c. firſt indeed d… parted from God, and his un… filed Mother and all Saints. So this baſe Gr…cian Idolater doth revile the godly Emperour. Againe, lib. 22. cap 42. Every where he reſiſted in writing and without writing the interceſſions of the holy Virgin and Mother of God and of all the Saints as unprofitable, by which all ſuccour ſtoweth unto us, exſting out their reliques and making them odious: and whereſoever there was report of any notable relique to remaine for the health of ſouls and bodies, or as the cuſtome is; to be honoured of the godly diſpoſed, preſently he threatened death againſt ſuch as evill doers: or elſe proſcriptions, baniſhments, torments; but there-lique moſt acceptable to God; as a certaine treaſure kept by the owners, was taken away to be made odious afterward. Let the Reader ſee the 54. Chapter. The ſame Chap. 48. Whereſoever any one diſtreſſed or gri…ving ſhould pray the accuſtomed prayer of Chriſtians; Mother of God help…, or ſhould be taken celebrating the vigils, &c. he was condemned as the Emperours enemy, and pronounced notworthy to be remembred. Yea, it appeareth that the worſhip of Saints was oppoſed yet under Theophilus the laſt of the five Emperours opp…gners: of Images by that Hymne of Theodorus, wherein the Church of Conſtantinople was wont every yeere Apud. Baron. a…. 842. 28.(oh wickedneſſe and griefe!) to celebrate the memory of Idolatry having at laſt gotten the victory. There it is in the …ode: foreign that is, That ſavage Le…ius; together with Iohn (he was Patriarch of Conſtantinople under Theophilus) having forſaken pie…ie; did wickedly affirme that the holy reliques of Saints and their Images were a… no hand to be worſhipped.
What therefore herein doth the Pope of Rome? he ſuccoureth the Image of the Beaſt incredibly in danger of ruine: and when Chap. 13.he could doe no good by letters and threatnings, he betaketh himſelf to his thundering craft. He ſtriketh Leo of Iſaura the ringleader of Image-oppugners with Anathema, he abſolveth his ſubjects in Italy from the Oath of Alleageance, and as much as lay in him, he bereaved him of his Exarchatſhip of Ravenna, and the reſt of his Dominion in that place. By wch act, as he gave courage to the Idolatrous faction in the Eaſt, ſo he ſeaſonably skared the Kings of the Weſt, that they ſhould not undertake the like. With the ſame lightening he ordained that the Albigenſes, their defenders and receivers ſhould be blaſted, and ſurely the Synod of Lateran of 280 Biſhops under Alexander the third did blaſt them. The ſame lightening alſo doth the great Councell of Lateran under Innocent decree to be called down from heaven upon the Tom. 4. Conc. Edit. Rom. an. 1612. pag. 44, 45.Lords temporall, who being required and admoniſhed by the Church neglected to free their lands of them: to wit, that they ſhould be excommunicate by the Metropolitans and other comprovinciall Biſhops: and if they refuſed to give ſatisfaction, their vaſſals ſhould be abſolved from their fealtie by the Pope, and their lands ſhould be expoſed to be taken by Catholiques.
And he had power to give life unto the Image of the Beaſt, that Verſ. 15.the Image of the Beaſt ſhould both ſpeake, and cauſe, that as many as would not worſhip the Image of the Beaſt, ſhould be killed.
Except the Image had been endued with a vitall facultie, the ſlaine Beaſt had not revived by the making of him. Neither indeed was the Beaſt worſhipping the Dragon, which it ought to repreſent, an idle Beaſt; but ſuch as was wont ſtoutly to beſtirre himſelf, and violently to flie upon his adverſaries. Therefore ſuch it behooved that Image to be, in which he ſhould revive again. Wherefore it is ſaid the falſe Prophet had power not onelyonly to allure the Chriſtian people to make his Image in the Beaſt of the laſt courſe: but alſo to be…w life upon him, whereby he might both by Edicts command … equall manner thoſe things which ſhould be needfull to defend his dignitie, and puniſh the diſobedient and ſuch as refuſe to be ſubject to his religious Conſtitutions with the Sword or Secular death. And ſurely all that power which the Image, or Secular Idolatrous Beaſt hath, of raging againſt the Saints, he exerciſeth but as delivered him by the Pſeudopropheticall Beaſt. For ſo the matter is handled, that th…e whom the Pſe…dopropheticall Chap. 13.Beaſt ſhall condemne of hereſie (as they call it) or of wronging the Image, he giveth power to the Secular Beaſt to kill them. That is to ſay, he hath no ſuch power of himſelf, but depending upon the Eccleſiaſticall judgement. And this is that which they call Delivery over to the Secular power in the books of Martyrs ſo often mentioned. Doubtleſſe the Pſeudopropheticall Beaſt, as indeed he would ſeeme, doth not himſelf put any to death, but yet thoſe who are condemned by his ſentence, he delivereth over to the Secular power as it were to the executioner to be put to death.
And he cauſeth both ſmall and great, rich and poore, free and Verſ. 16.bond (that is of whatſoever degree, ſtate or condition) to receive a marke in their right hand, or in their foreheads.
And that no man might buy or ſell, ſave he that had the marke or Verſ. 17.the name of the Beaſt, or the number of his name.
What the forbidding of buying and ſelling meaneth (that I may begin with the *foreign.laſt firſt) I have already ſhewed; to wit, to be branded with the Popes excommunication, into the which who ſo they be that do fall, are reſtrained from company and commerce with other citizens. So that Canon of the Councell of Lateran Tom. 4. Concil. edit. Rom. pag. 37.ſet forth under Alexander, which was mentioned a little before, againſt the Waldenſes and Albigenſes, plainly forbiddeth under Anathema, That no man preſume to keepe or maintaine them in his houſe or land, or traffique with them. And the Synod of *Turonenſis.Tours in France under the ſame Pope with the like threatning forbiddeth, where the followers of that hereſie (as they call it) ſhall be known to be, that no man preſume to give them harbour in their land or affoord them protection; and that no communion be had with them in ſelling and buying. And what? doth not the falſe Prophet here alſo ſpeake like the Dragon? For the Dragon Diocleſian ſet forth the like Edict, That no man ſhould ſell or ſecretly give any thing to the Chriſtians except firſt they ſhould burne incenſe to the Gods of whom Beda thus ſingeth in the Hymne of Iulian the Martyr.
Non illis emendi quidquam, aut vendendi copia:
Nec ipſam haurire aquam dabatur licentia,
Chap. 13.A…equam thurificarent
Deteſtandis idolis.
They had not leave to buy or ſell, Or uſe commerce where they dwelt:
Or drinke cold water out of well,
Such affliction they felt:
Before the Idols deteſtable,
Their incenſe offering ſmelt.
Perhaps therefore the holy Ghoſt uſed this Synecdochicall ſpeech, to intimate, that although that Papall Anathema; vaunteth it ſelf of a ſeparation from the internall and inviſible communion with Chriſt, yet in truth it hath no further force then to exclude from the externall and viſible commerce with other Citizens.
Now that which is ſaid of the Marke; the marke of the Beaſt, Verſ. 16.is properly of his Name; and therefore it is ſaid, the Marke or Name of the Beaſt, and in the Chapter following, the Marke of his Name. For he alludeth to the old cuſtome, by which ſervants were wont to be marked with the names of their Maſters, ſouldiers with the names of their Commanders, the firſt eſpecially in their forehead, the other in their hands. And therefore by like reaſon the followers of the Lambe alſo in the Chapter following, that they may be *foreign. Cap. 141.contrary to the followers of the Beaſt, are written in their forehead with the names of the Lambe and his Father; with the ſame meaning of the type in both, to ſhew who is his Lord, and for whom each company fighteth: thoſe profeſſing themſelves ſervants of the Beaſt, and his Image, theſe of Chriſt and his Father.
As touching the Number, it is rather to be judged an Appendix of the Name or Marke of the Beaſt, then the marke it ſelf; and in very deed, it is the number, not ſo much of the name of the Beaſt as of the Beaſt himſelf; as alſo by and by it is called. Now it is therefore onelyonly called the Number of the Name, becauſe it is contained in letters of the name of the Beaſt brought into number, God ſo diſpoſing it. Neither yet doth it follow, that becauſe the Number doth ſo neerely agree with the Name, therefore the number of the Beaſt is to be confounded with the Name: for the reaſon of the oppoſition requireth, that, even as in the company of the Lambe the marke of the Name, is diſtinguiſhed from the Chap. 13.number of the company, even ſo alſo it be done in the company of the Beaſt. Adde that the Marke of the Name and the Number are altogether of a different ſignification, I ſay, if we direct the interpretation according to the A…logie of other places. For the one, that is, the marke of the Name, doth ſhew to which Lord they have addicted themſelves who beare it. The other, that is, the Number ſheweth from what ſtock and from whence they derive their pedegree, who are marked therewith. As the number of twelve, and the number made out of the multiplication of twelve virgins, as in the ſtructure and dimenſions of now Ieruſalem, is a ſymbole of the Apoſtolicall linage and off-ſpring.
But that we may ſtay no longer upon theſe generall things: let us ſee at length what may be that Name of the Beaſt, wherein alſo his Number noted by the holy Ghoſt is contained. It is indeed that which even then when the Revelation was newly written ſome ſuppoſed, that foreign in ſo many mens mouthes. For by this name, after the diviſion of the Empire and the ten Kings riſen in the Provinces thereof, and not before, the Romane falſe Prophet with the reſt of the inhabitants of the Weſt for diſtinction ſake was called; and that even of thoſe, to whom the Revelation was written, the ſeven Churches of Aſia. For the Greeks & the other Eaſtern people, wth whom the name abode in that diviſion of the Empire, would have themſelves only called Romans; they termed us with our Pope, and under him the Biſhops, Kings, and Rulers, Latines, by a certaine fatall inſtinct. And this very name the letters thereof being ſubducted after the manner of the Greeks and Hebrews, maketh up the number noted by the holy Ghoſt, but a myſticall number; wherein is ſhewed of what progenie the Beaſt is, and how falſly he braggeth himſelf to be a ſucceſſour of the company of the Apoſtles, when as in truth he is of the …ragon.
For the number of the Name of the Beaſt is 666. which if thou ſtrive to derive out of the number of twelve, the ſymbole of the Apoſtolique linage, thou ſhalt beſtow thy labour in vaine: for from thence howſoever thou ſ…lt multiply it, thou ſhalt never bring it to 666: but ſurely from the number of Sixe, which is the number of that red Dragon, to wit, of the Beaſt of the … head, very …aſily; for the whole ſumme how great ſoever it be, is compact out of the numbers of ſixe, by unites, tennes, and hundreds: as if the whole ſeed of that Dragon had diff…ſed it ſelf through the body of this laſt Beaſt and all his members.
Here is wiſdome, ſaith the Spirit, let him that hath underſtanding Verſ. 18.count the number of the Beaſt, for it is the number of a man: and his number is 666.
Which ſurely that it ought to be accounted after the ſame manner as I have ſaid, I ſeeme to gather out of the Analogie of the company of virgins whoſe number 144 contrary to the Beaſt, is altogether Apoſtolicall, begotten of twelve multiplyed by it ſelf. For the reaſon of contraries is contrary. And there indeed both, as well the Name written, as the Number of the company written upon, the holy Ghoſt hath expreſſed; but here he hath left the Name to be conjectured out of the Number.
That therefore I may comprehend the matter in few words, to receive the Marke of the Name of the Beaſt; is to ſubject himſelf to his authoritie, and to acknowledge him to be his Lord; but to receive the Number, is to imbrace his impietie, derived unto him from the Dragon, to wit, the Idolatry of the Latines. Whence that happily will not be unworthy conſideration: although no man can receive the marke of the Name of the Beaſt, or be ſubject to his authoritie, but together alſo he muſt receive his Number, that is, he muſt needs be partaker of his impietie: yet it may be, that one may admit the Number or impietie of the Beaſt, but yet refuſe the Marke or Name. That which now long ſince is true of the Greeks, who howſoever they imbrace the ſame forme of impietie, derived from the Dragon, or Idolatry of the Latines, and the ſame eſtabliſhed at the firſt in that ſecond Nicene Councell by the authoritie of the Latine Pope who earneſtly laboured even there alſo to ſet up the Image of the ſlaine Dragon: yet notwithſtanding to be ſubject to the Latine Pope, or to beare his Name as in times paſt (before they departed aſunder a Schiſme being made) they have refuſed now for about 700 yeers.