A34679:771
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.
There are that have sometimes put X for the cross, and [Greek or Hebrew] a long letter in wrinkles for the Surplice, and [Greek or Hebrew] for the proportion of a man bowing, but I would not limit the counsel of the holy Ghost so strictly: But take all that is numbered by their Canon Law, and it will come all to one reckoning; they are but the number of the beast, whether the Pope dictate them, or they receive them; and though they cut of his head for saith, yet for discipline, and order, and circumstances they still retain him, and these are the number of the Beast; therefore bless the Lord that hath showed you these to be evils, and saved you from such prevailing evils.
There are that have sometimes put X for the crosse, and 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 a long letter in wrinkles for the Surplice, and 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 for the proportion of a man bowing, but I would not limit the counsell of the holy Ghost so strictly: But take all that is numbred by their Canon Law, and it will come all to one reckoning; they are but the number of the beast, whether the Pope dictate them, or they receive them; and though they cut of his head for saith, yet for discipline, and order, and circumstances they still retaine him, and these are the number of the Beast; therefore blesse the Lord that hath shewed you these to be evils, and saved you from such prevailing evils.
Secondly,1 for your present condition, learn thus much, It will not be safe for ye to receive the Image of any other Church, then that which Christ hath established, and this is grounded upon 12. upon the Apostles doctrine, and multiplied by 12. increased with the increasings of God, blessed be his name, therefore it being so, hold fast this form, and be not removed from it: If you fall to adore National, or Diocesan, or Provincial, or Cathedral Church-government, then you will fall to number by 6. and multiply 6. by 10. in the end it will come to pass all this shall be maintained by tenths, such settled endowments and preferments, and then it may be you shall have liberty of buying and selling, of traffic and trading; the Beast of Rome will allow you some liberty