Proposition V-The seven-headed beast, more | obscure or confused, the study of brevity especially considered, as it is represented as rid and dispatch has occasioned it. But since upon by the whore, doth represent Rome to us as I have advanced nothing in relation to future it is represented under the ecclesiastical government of the papacy, or apostate church of Rome, time, but by way of conjecture, nor indeed, asserted any thing (in relation to that This the angel does sufficiently insinuate, part of the prophecy which is fulfilled,) (chap. xvii. v. 8,) when he says, the beast dogmatically and positively, but only prowhich thou sawest, was, and yet is not at posed my thoughts, after the manner of a this time; i. e., the beast which thou sawest, rational probability; I suppose no man will is indeed the same Roman empire which think it worth his while to make a noise was before, and was represented to thee, about little mistakes, that perhaps, I may (chap. xiii. v. 1;) but it is not yet, in an- have been guilty of through haste or inadother sense, viz. as now thou beholdest it vertency. But if any person shall take ocunder the rule of a whore, or the apostate casion from what I have said to study the church of Rome. For this last ecclesias- Apocalypse to better advantage than I have tical form of government is not yet come, but attained to do, and shall give the world a it is to come, (when it ariseth,) out of the better built, and more clearly connected bottomless pit, in order to go thither again, scheme of the visions of this book; I assure into endless perdition. him, that none shall more rejoice in such a performance than I; and I shall be one of the first to return him thanks for refuting me. For truth is all I seek after, and that it may ever, and in all respects prevail, is, and shall be my constant prayer and study. And if this be once granted, then that will naturally follow, which I am to represent as another proposition. Proposition VI.-The seven kings, represented by the seven heads of the beast, are no other than the seven forms of supreme government, that did successively obtain among the Romans. This the angel doth likewise sufficiently insinuate, (v. 10,) which can never be understood of particular emperors, at least not of those Grotius fixed upon, whose opinion this way we have already refuted. And. therefore, seeing five of the forms of the Roman government were fallen in John's time, viz. kings, consuls, dictators, decemvirs, and military tribunes, (as Tacitus reckons them, Annal. lib. i, sect. 1,) and seeing the imperial authority was that which was in being then, we have no reason to quit so plain and exact an interpretation, until more be said against it, than ever has yet been produced to the world. And were it not that I am confined so much now, both as to time, and lest this postscript should swell to an enormous bulk, should not fear to attempt the demonstration of these last propositions, and to proceed to others that would lay a further and more strong foundation still, of that method of interpreting the Revelation, which the generality of Protestants are agreed in. But I hope I have said enough for this place, to secure the principles I go upon, by which the things which I proposed at first as postulata are, I think, sufficiently proved. And seeing my principal design in writing this postscript, was to refute the hypothesis that Grotius and Hammond go upon, I leave it to the candid and impartial thoughts of the reader, whether I have not said enough to prove it to be altogether precarious. And now seeing every one must see how much I have been straitened, both as to time and paper, in this postscript, I hope the reader will put the more favourable construction on what defects he may observe in my performance, either as to matter, method, or the calculations of time, which I have run upon; in which, if there be any thing In addition to what Mr. FLEMING has said, the editor begs leave to subjoin the following explanation of the mark of the name of the beast, by the Hebrew, Greek, and Roman characters composing the mark of the name, in Revelation xiv. Î1. It was customary with the Hebrews, Greeks, and Latins, (or Romans,) to use the letters of their alphabet, to keep accounts by, instead of figures, which were of much later invention; the same ancient practice, in part, prevails to this day, according to the old Roman custom; as you may perceive on books, medals, monuments, or public buildings; for instance, MDCCXCIII. is put for 1793, which, in Hebrew characters, is thus decyphered,, 1793; and in Greek, thus, a, 1793. Now, the Holy Spirit knowing, that notwithstanding men and nations would change their customs and manners, by being overturned, yet still their numerical letters would remain in use to the latest posterity; he, therefore, in infinite wisdom, thought fit to describe the mark or name of the popish beast, by numerical letters, that thereby it might unalterably remain, and so not only appear both a mark and a name, but a numerical name, or a name distinguished by the coincidence of its numbers, viz. 666; which number being pointed out by a most remarkable circumstance happening in the corresponding century, it could not possibly be mistaken, forgotten, altered, or lost. On these accounts, (among others,) no doubt the Holy Ghost gave the true sign or mark of the monster, in such cypherical characters as constitute the number 666, by a singular combination of the three languages; viz. Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Nor is it a little astonishing, that the sum total of the number 666, without a unit over | junction of these three kindred, people, and or under, should be found in the composition tongues? So, that by the same instruments of the name, which has in it a combination that Christ has been abased, and Antichrist of all those languages in which the beast exalted, Antichrist shall be abased, and wrote the inscription over our blessed Lord's Christ alone exalted. head on the cross, viz. Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. The sign or number given, whereby we are to find out the mark of the beast, is 666, which number, being applied to his name and character as man, a Roman, of the Latin nation, will be found exactly to make out the mark of his name, thus, y, Romanus areos, Latinus; both which when viewed as letters, may be called the mark of his name, but when considered as numerals or figures, (of which both words entirely consist,) may then be called the number of his name, or the number of a man, being a Latin name derived from that of Romulus, a man, who founded Rome pagan, and so peculiar to a man, viz. the pope, who is the foundation of Rome papal, as the other was of Rome pagan. Now, observe, the Hebrew and Greek letters composing the words, "27. Romith-y, Romanus—or, λætenosa Latinus, each of them making in numerals exactly 666-plainly point out not only his name and the number of his name, but also the mark of his name; as for example: in FRONTLET OF THE BEAST. It is to be observed, as a singular circumstance, that the title VICARIVS FILII DEI (Vicar of the Son of God,) which the popes of Rome have assumed to themselves, and caused to be inscribed over the door of the Vatican, exactly makes the number 666, when dechy phered according to the numeral signification of its constituent letters. Thus, Vicar of the Son VICARIVS FILII 5 1 100 1 5 1 50 1 1 Added altogether thus: V I 5 1 100 10 L 1 I of God. DE I 500 1 s Latinus, 666; 30 1 300 5 10 50 70 200 in each of which the exact mark is contained. It, therefore, evidently appears, that each name is both a mark and a number; a mark, when viewed as made up of so many letters, therefore, called the mark of his name; a number, when viewed as made up of so many numerals, then called the number of his name. But when considered merely as a name derived from Romiith, a Roman, or Romulus, the founder of Rome, a name common among men, it may then properly be called the mark of a man, aye, of an uncommon man; in Scripture dialect, a man of sin, of uncommon sin. I cannot leave this subject without remarking, how singular it is, that Christ should have suffered under a conjunction of these three powers, viz. the Hebrews, Greeks, and Latins; and that his inscription was also written in all their three languages: farther, that Antichrist has also reigned in a conjunction of the same: and as his mark is likewise contained in a combination of them, may it not, therefore, according to the nature of correspondencies, be expected, that the visible destruction of the man of sin, and the establishment of Christ's reign, will be manifested in a con The number of the beast 666 N. B. It may be farther observed, that not many centuries back, on the front of the POPE'S MITRE, the word MYSTERY used to be inscribed, and was worn by them till the reformers discovered and pointed it out to the people, as the Scripture mark of Antichrist, from Rev. xvii. 5, which glaring manifestation of the man of sin so opened the eyes of the multitude, that the custom was immediately abolished, and the word erased from the mitre. NUMBER OF THE BEAST COUNTED. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast.—Rev. xiii. 18. We are here directed to count his number, as we were before to examine his mark. The counting of his number seems intended to discover his duration, as decyphering his mark does to show his character, or the copy of his countenance; for mark indicates character, as number does duration. Therefore, it is said, "Here is wisdom! (or herein) let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast." On this occasion, therefore, we are no more to regard the characters as letters, but as numerals; they are, says the text, 666. We are now commanded simply to count, and in counting, we shall find three figures, viz. 6, 6, 6; and the number of these three, when counted, amounts to just 18. This I conceive to be the meaning of the Even those who are unacquainted with direction for counting the number of the beast. the languages may, by comparing the chaAnd what is this to hold forth, but un-racters and numbers, satisfy themselves of doubtedly to discover to us the duration of the truth of the foregoing assertions. the monster, that, whereas, his establishment took place six centuries after Christ, so his destruction shall be accomplished eighteen centuries after Christ. Greeks, USED BY and Hebrews. NUMERAL LETTERS, FORMERLY B 2000 2 3 4 6 8 9 10 · 20 · 30 40 50 - 60 - 70 80 - 90 100 200 400 ANSWER TO A QUERIST, RESPECTING THE Sir,-In answer to your observation and queries, permit me to say, the things I have asserted are stubborn, clear facts, not mere suppositions or fancies. The inscription in question was actually written over the door of the Vatican of Rome, in express Latin words and characters, as inserted in this publication, viz. VICARIVS FILII DEI; and those Latin words and characters contain Latin numerals to the amount of 666, exactly corresponding with the number of the beast. With respect to the supposition you have conjured up that the pope might be called Vicarius Christus, or Vicarius Christus Filii Dei, (a sort of gibberish that is neither Latin, German, nor English,) it is a matter I have nothing to do with. Mr. D-, may adopt these or any other fancies to amuse himself, and to screen the head of his holiness; but when he has done all, this question will still remain to be answered: Have those inscriptions ever appeared over the door of the Vatican at Rome? As to Mr. D-'s attempting to obscure the number of the beast, 666, contained in the numerals of the words VICARIVS FILII 300 DEI, by objecting to a V, however the pope or his emissaries may be obliged to him for his kind exertions on their behalf, yet I presume, neither of them will condescend to appear his humble fool in Latin, for the sake of sheltering themselves under his ignorance of the Latin alphabet and of ancient inscriptions. 500 600 3000 700 4000 800 Let Mr. D—, but put his hand into his pocket, and examine a common half-penny, he will then see, that a whole nation have unanimously adopted that practice which Mr. D-'s wisdom cannot discover the propriety of, viz. retaining the use of the ancient Latin V, in preference to the U, as he will find by the inscription, viz. GEORGIVS not GEORGIUS. 50 APPENDIX, CONTAINING EXTRACTS FROM VARIOUS EMINENT WRITERS, CHIEFLY RESPECTING THE FALL OF POPERY 6 complishment. (chap. xvii.) The Roman harlot having procured the ten kings, or kingdoms, into which the last head of the Roman empire sprouted, about the year 450, by the inundation of the northern nations to join with her, they together make war against the Lamb. (v. 12, 13, 14.) Ver, 12. "The horns which thou sawest" (upon the last head of the great beast, the Roman monarchy,) are "ten kings which have received no kingdom as yet," (to wit: when John saw the vision,) but received power as kings one hour with the beast." (About four hundred years after this, the pope ascended to his sovereignty, and these western nations grew into distinct dominions about the same time.) ARCHBISHOP BROWN, 1551. "THERE is a new fraternity who lately sprung up, who call themselves Jesuists which will deceive many, who are much after the scribes' and pharisees' manner, amongst the Jews; they shall strive to abolish the truth, and shall come very near to do it; for these sorts will turn themselves into several forms, with the heathen an heathenist, with the atheists an atheist, with Jews a Jew, and with the reformers a reformade, purposely to know your intentions, your minds, your hearts, and your inclinations, and thereby bring you at last to be like the fool that said in his heart, there is no God.' These shall spread over the whole world, shall be admitted into the Ver. 13. " These have one mind," (that councils of princes, and they never the is, as to the business in hand, for otherwise wiser; charming of them; yea, making they did and do vex one another with peryour princes reveal their hearts, and the se-petual broils and wars,)" and shall give crets therein unto them, and yet they not perceive it, which will happen from falling from the law of God, and by winking at their sins; yet in the end, God, to justify his law, shall suddenly cut off this society, even by the hands of those who have most succoured them and made use of them; so that at the end they shall become odious to all nations, they shall be worse than Jews, having no resting place upon earth." REV. JOHN KNOX, 1572. "Sentence is pronounced in Scotland against that murderer, the king of France, and God's vengeance shall never depart from it, nor his house, but his name shall remain an execration to posterity; and none that shall come of his loins, shall enjoy that kingdom in peace and quietness, unless repentance prevents God's judgment." The French Ambassador, being told the prediction, applied to the regent and council for an interdiction, but was refused. See his life. DR. J. OWEN, 1649. The Lord Jesus Christ, by his mighty power, in these latter days, as antichristian tyranny draws to its period, will so far shake and translate the political heights, governments, and strength of the nations, as shall serve for the full bringing in of his own peaceable kingdom; the nations so shaken becoming thereby a quiet habitation for the people of the Most High. See that punctual description which you have of this whole matter, as Daniel calls it in the Revelation, with respect unto its ac their power and strength to the beast, (or swear to defend the rights of holy church, which is no other than Babylon,) and act accordingly." Ver. 14. "These make war with the Lamb," (having sworn and undertaken the defence of holy church, or Babylon, they persecuted the poor heretics with fire and sword;) that is, the witnesses of the Lamb, and in them the Lamb himself, (striving to keep his kingdom out of the world,) and the "Lamb shall overcome them," shaking and translating them into a new mould and frame: "For he is Lord of lords, and King of kings, and they that are with him" (whose help and endeavours he will use,) are called, and chosen, and faithful." 66 Ver. 16. "The ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast," (being now shaken, changed and translated in mind, interest, and and shall make her desolate," (are instruperhaps government,) "these hate the whore, mental, in the hand of Christ, for the ruin of that antichristian state, which before they served,)" and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire." Hence, (chap. xviii. 2,) Babylon, and that whole antichristian state, which was supported upon their power and greatness, having lost its props, comes topling down to the ground: " Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen," (v. 2,) and the saints take vengeance on the whore for all her former rage and cruelty. "Double unto her double, according to her works." (v. 6.) Ver. 9. "And the kings of the earth, (being some of them shaken out of their dominion, for refusing to close with the Lamb,) who have committed fornication and lived | TO RUIN A WORLD, MUCH MORE A KINGDOM?† deliciously with her, (learning and practising Have not all these, and all the kingdoms false worship of her institution,) shall bewail round about, washed their hands and garher, and lament for her, (as having received succour from her, her monasteries and shavelings, in their distress, whereunto they were brought for her sake,) when they shall see the smoke of her burning, (beholding her darkness, stink and confusion, in her final desolation.) "Now all this shall be transacted with so much obscurity and darkness," Christ not openly appearing to carnal eyes, that though 66 many shall be purified and made white, yet the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand." (Dan. xii. 10.) There shall be no such demonstration of the presence of Christ, as to open the eyes of hardened men; but, at length, having suffered the poor deceived wretches to drink of the cup prepared for them, he appears himself gloriously, (chap. xix. 13,) in a more eminent manner than ever before, to the total destruction of the residue of opposers. And that this will be the utmost close of that dispensation wherein now he walketh, I no way doubt." The assertion being cleared and proved, the reasons of it come next to be considered: and the first is, that Reason 1.-* It shall be done by the way of recompense and vengeance." "It is the great day of the wrath of the Lamb." (Rev. vi. 17.) "The land shall be soaked with blood, and the dust made fat with fatness; for it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, and the year of recompense for the controversy of Zion." (Isa. xxxiv. 7, 8.) "The day of vengeance is in his heart, when the year of his redeemed is come." (Isa. lxiii. 4.) "The kings of the earth have given their power to Antichrist, endeavouring to the utmost to keep the kingdom of christ out of the world. What, I pray, hath been their main business for seven hundred years and upwards, even almost ever since the man of sin was enthroned? How have they earned the titles, eldest son of the Church; the catholic and most Christian king, defender of the faith, and the like? Hath it not been by the blood of saints? Is there not in every one of these kingdoms, the slain and the banished ones of Christ to answer for? In particular, "Hath not the blood of the saints of Jesus, (eclipsed by Antichrist and his adherents,) Wickliffs and Lollards, cried from the ground for vengeance upon the English heaven and earth, for a long season? Did not their bodies lie in the streets of France under the name of Waldenses, Albigenses, and poor men of Lyons? Hath not Germany, and the annexed territories, her Husse, and Hussile, Hierom, and Subutraguians to answer for? IS NOT SPAIN'S INQUISITION ENOUGH * Psal. ii. 4, 5; cxxxvii. 8, 9. Isa. xlvii.1, 2, 3; xlix. 26. Jer. 1. 33, 34; li. 24, 25, 34, 35. Zech. xii. 2, 3, 4; xiv. 12. Rev. xviii. 6, &c ments in the blood of thousands of Protestants? And do not the kings of all these nations as yet stand up in the room of their progenitors, with the same implacable enmity to the power of the gospel? Show me seven kings that ever yet laboured sincerely to enhance the kingdom of the Lord Jesus, and dare boldly say, Octavus quis fuerit nondum constat. And is there not a cry for all this, "How long, Lord, holy and true, dost thou not avenge our blood on them that live on the earth? (Rev. vi. 10.) Doth not Sion cry, The violence done to me and my flesh be upon Babylon, and my blood upon those heavens of the nations? And will not the Lord avenge his elect that cry unto him day and night? Will he not do it speedily, will he not call the fowls of heaven to eat the flesh of kings and captains, and great men of the earth? (Rev. xix. 18.) Will he not make these heavens like the wood of the vine, not a pin to be taken of them to hang a garment on, in his whole tabernacle ?" The time shall come wherein the earth shall disclose her slain, and not the simplest heretic, as they were counted, shall have his blood unrevenged: neither shall any atonement be made for this blood, or expiation be allowed, while a toe of the image, or a bone of the beast is left unbroken. Reason 2. That by his own wisdom he may frame such a power as may best conduce to the carrying on of his own kingdom among the sons of men. (Psal. ii. 9, 10, 11, 12. Rev. xvii. 14. Matt. xviii. 20. 1 Cor. xi. 26. Eph. iv. 11, 12, 13. 1 Tim. vi. 3, 13, 14. Psal. xlv. 16. Isa. xlix. 7, 23. He hath promised his church, that he will give unto it holy priests and Levites, (Isa. Ixvi. 20, 21,) which shall serve at the 'great feast of tabernacles.' Zech. xiv. 16.) A sufficient demonstration that he will dwell still in his churches by his ordinances, whatsoever some conceive; so also," that he will make her civil officers peace, and her exactors righteousness." (Isa. lx. 17, 18.) They shall be so established, that the nations, as nations, may serve it; and the "kingdoms of the world, shall become the kingdoms of our Lord." (Rev. xi. 15.) For the present, the government of the nations (as many of them as are concerned therein) is purely framed for the interest of Antichrist. No king or government in Europe, or line of governors so ancient, but that the beast is as old as they, and had a great influence into their constitution or establishment, to provide that it might be for his own interest. I believe it will be found a difficult task, to name any of the kingdoms of Europe (excepting only that remotest northward) in the setting up and establishment whereof, either + The tremendous conflict now carrying on in Spain, may be considered as a sort of retaliation on that nation for its cruelties to the Protestants. |