Now last of all the holy Ghost telleth us that it is a very high point of wisdom and understanding, to count the number of the beast, and requireth a sharp and pregnant wit; and withal telleth us, that it is the number of a man; that is, such as a man endued with Gods Spirit may find out. Then we are encouraged to search into it, sith it is within the compass of mans reach. It is no impossible thing. If therefore we could find out his name, we would desire no more; then the field were won: for his name would discover him, and descry him to all the world, and quite stop the mouths of the Papists, so as they should never have any thing more to say. For if Saint John had said expressly and in plain terms, that the Popes of Rome are this second beast, and the very Antichrist himself, then the Papists had been put to perpetual silence, all matters quashed, and all controversies ended betwixt them and us for ever. But here the holy Ghost doth not tell us his name plainly, but mystically, as many other things in this book, that the worldlings which should fulfil them might be blinded, whilst the eyes of Gods elect are opened to see into the truth of all these matters. Well, to come to the point: Saint John doth only here set down the numerative letters of the beasts name. He wrote in Greek, and he only setteth down three Greek letters or characters, which in Greek numeration make six hundred sixty six.1 Now further we are to note, that the ⟨p. 193⟩numerative letters of the Greek word [Greek or Hebrew] do make just this number. And yet further we are to observe as a very special thing, that Irenaeus, 2an ancient Father of the Church, who lived very near unto the Apostles times, mentioneth this word Lateinos, as the name of the beast. And moreover affirmeth, that it was a common received opinion in his time, and before, that the Beast should be so called. Now then let us consider how this fitteth. First, we know that the numerative letters of Lateinos do justly fit Saint Johns Greek numerative letters. Secondly, we know that Antichrist is the head of the Latin Church, or Latin Empire: and therefore this very Lateinos. For here we do not enquire after the name of any particular man, but about the name of a kingdom; for the beast is a kingdom, and a succession of men.
Now last of all the holy Ghost telleth vs that it is a verie high point of wisedome and vnderstanding, to count the number of the beast, and requireth a sharpe and pregnant wit; and withall telleth vs, that it is the number of a man; that is, such as a man endued with Gods Spirite may finde out. Then wee are encouraged to search into it, sith it is within the compasse of mans reach. It is no impossible thing. If therefore wee could find out his name, wee would desire no more; then the field were wonne: for his name would discouer him, and descrie him to all the world, and quite stoppe the mouthes of the Papists, so as they should neuer haue anie thing more to say. For if Saint Iohn had said expresly and in plaine tearmes, that the Popes of Rome are this second beast, and the verie Antichrist himselfe, then the Papists had beene put to perpetuall silence, all matters quasht, and all controuersies ended betwixt them and vs for euer. But heere the holy Ghost doth not tell vs his name plainely, but mystically, as manie other things in this booke, that the worldlings which should fulfill them might be blinded, whilest the eyes of Gods elect are opened to see into the truth of all these matters. Well, to come to the point: Saint Iohn doth onely heere set downe the numeratiue letters of the beasts name. Hee wrote in Greeke, and he onely setteth downe three Greeke letters or characters, which in Greeke numeration make sixe hundred sixtie sixe.1 Now further wee are to note, that the ⟨p. 193⟩numeratiue letters of the Greeke word 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 doe make iust this number. And yet further we are to obserue as a verie speciall thing, that Irenaeus, 2an ancient Father of the Church, who liued verie neere vnto the Apostles times, mentioneth this worde Lateinos, as the name of the beast. And moreouer affirmeth, that it was a common receiued opinion in his time, and before, that the Beast should be so called. Now then let vs consider how this fitteth. First, we know that the numeratiue letters of Lateinos doe iustly fit Saint Iohns Greeke numeratiue letters. Secondly, we know that Antichrist is the head of the Latine Church, or Latine Empire: and therefore this verie Lateinos. For here we doe not enquire after the name of anie particular man, but about the name of a kingdome; for the beast is a kingdome, and a succession of men.
- 1[Greek or Hebrew]〈non-Latin alphabet〉
- 2Iren. lib. 5. contra haeres.
