An exposition upon the thirteenth chapter of the Revelation by that reverend and eminent…

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 ⟨p. 258⟩that way; yet believe it, it is a special part of your wisdom to know this, and the danger of it. If a man in his ignorance shall yield to these things, God will pardon it; but if a man know these things, and willingly give way to them, the Lord will require it at his hands: Consider therefore this number, and avoid it, though it cost you all your liberties, the Lord will say, this only is a wise people, that renounce not only the Beast, but the Images of him, and his mark, and the name Catholic, and Roman Catholic, and conformity to all the number of his name; If ye establish your hearts in these spiritual resolutions, here is wisdom; and thereof how should it provoke the hearts of Gods people to be settled in conscience about such points as these, though it may be your country-men will count you fools in running such desperate ventures, that you would hazard your fortunes, and at length bring a noble to nine pence; you shall bring your six hundreds to sixties, and your sixties to six: No matter what they think of it, so long as ye shall keep the Apostolical number, and multiply by their rule; the holy Ghost saith, Here is wisdom, and he that hath understanding, let him so esteem that here is wisdom; and it was wisdom to come hither: and he that came for this end, never made a better bargain in his life, then to come over for this, because he would have no more to do with the Beast, and his Image, and his name, and the number of his name; I say thou hast made a wise bargain, if thou wilt take the word of the holy Ghost for thy security; he saith, here is wisdom.

Secondly,