A34679:750
An exposition upon the thirteenth chapter of the Revelation by that reverend and eminent…
An exposition upon the thirteenth chapter of the Revelation by that reverend and eminent servant of the Lord, Mr. John Cotton ... ; taken from his mouth in short-writing, and some part of it corrected by himself soon after the preaching thereof ; and all of it since viewed over by a friend to him ... wherein some mistakes were amended, but nothing of the sense altered.
London: printed for Tim. Smart, 1656
Title page typeset from the transcription.
AN EXPOSITION Upon the thirteenth Chapter of the REVELATION. › Part
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
This is the sum, I wrap up all in one Doctrine, that handling the Doctrine in the parcels, all the parts of the verse may be opened therewith.
First, I say to find out this number is wisdom, it requires heavenly wisdom; Here is wisdom: And God accounts not the wisdom of this world wisdom, but foolishness; he speaks therefore of that which in Scripture language is wisdom, not Mathematical, nor Arithmetical wisdom; for what great wisdom would it require to count this number, it ariseth out of six, and is multiplied by ten, this is such wisdom as any mean Arithmetician might count, six times ten is 60. and ten times 60. is 600. and six times one is six, the wisdom therefore lies not there. But to see how this count deciphers the Beast, and by that means to give more perfect intelligence of the Beast, and of his nature, then by his mark and name alone could be gathered, that requires heavenly wisdom, but wisdom therefore it doth require▪ It requires a mans best understanding to enquire what the holy Ghost hath said of this number: and though it require much wisdom, yet the counting of this number is both possible, and necessary: if it were not possible, the holy Ghost would not say, Let him that hath understanding, count the number of the Beast: He is wont to say, Let him that hath an ear, hear what ⟨p. 247⟩the spirit saith: but here he saith, Let him tha• hath understanding count the number of the Beast. And it is also necessary for him, not of necessity to salvation, without which a man cannot be saved, but (necessitate precepti) necessary in regard of Gods command: Now because there are none of Gods commandments that are vain things, but weighty, therefore they are either very necessary to salvation, or very expedient: so that a man shall be much weakened in his spiritual progress, (especially in Popish times, or in such times where men live in the Image of Popish Churches, National or Diocesan,) if he be ignorant thereof, he shall find it to be much expedient to count the number of the Beast.