A treatise of the necessity of humane learning for a Gospel-preacher shewing the use of I. Languages, II. Rhetoric, III. Logic, IV. Natural philosophy, V. Moral philosophy, VI. History, VII. Chronology, VIII. Arithmetic, IX. Geometry, X. Astronomy, XI. Geography, and the benefits of learning in all ages : also this question is determined, whether grace be essential to a minister of the Gospel? / by Edward Reyner ...

CHAP. VIII. Of the Ʋsefulness of Arith∣metic.

Arithmetic is useful for a Minister in two respects:

First, Rightly to understand, and exctaly to compute Scripture-numbers and accounts, as in Genealogies, Histories, Chronologies, Prophecies, and in other things.

Secondly, To search into, and finde out Scripture-mysteries, which are hid in num∣bers. Arithmetic is a key to open to us the right understanding of numerical spe∣culations.

There are two Mystical numbers to be taken notice of especially;

The one is contained in the Name of the Beast, Rev. 13.17, 18, which points out Antichrist to us.

The other is contained in the Measure of the wall of the New Jerusalem, which (as some Divines conceive) points out the Church of Christ, Rev. 21.17. [Here is wisdom, saith John, Rev. 13.17, 18. i. e. a thing that requires wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the

Number of the Beast, or the Name of the Beast, or the Number of the Name; that is, * 1.1 the name of the Beast, which is ex∣pressed by number (or a numeral name) or wherein number is contained, to wit, in the letters of which the name consists. For the Greeks, as also the Hebrews, had not sigures, as we have, but counted by letters: mens names in Greek contained numbers in the letters. Piscator in ver. 17. saith, that by these three names, scil. the Beast, the name of the Beast, and the number of the name, one and the same thing is signified, that is Antichrist.

This is called the number of a man, be∣cause such a name of a man (saith Bright∣man) out of whose numeral letters this number is made, 666, which he thinks to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Latinus: that is the name, which the holy Ghost bids us number in place; the letters whereof do, according to the computation of the Grecians, make this number 666. Piscator in Rev. 13. shews how, in a Table.

Or, this is the number of a man, that is, which may be counted, and found out by man; which may be computed, or cal∣culated by study and search: one calls this number an Arithmetical Riddle.

Dr. Potter, upon the number 666,

goeth another way to work, very ingeni••∣ously to unfold this Mystery by Arithme∣tical Calculation, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 thus. The number, 666, is applicable to Antichrist, * 1.2 not in it self, but according to what is essential and remarkable in it, to wit,

• its Rootae,
• and
• ...Figure.

I. Its Root••, which is 25. This describes the Root or Basis of Antichrist's Hierar∣chy, Colledge of Cardinals (who were but 25) instituted Anno Chr. 305, who onely with the Pope, the Head of this Corporation (which is the very Body and Essence of Antichrist) usurp all power and Authority in the Church.

This seems so,

1. In that it's said, Let him that hath un∣derstanding (in Arithmetic) count the number of the Beast, to wit, by the extra∣ction of the Root; which is the onely way men usually count by, when but one num∣ber is exprest, as here. And this is said to be the number of a man, that is, such as is used among men.

2. Because Christ's number, or the number of the wall of the new Jerusalem, describes his Church, not in it self, but by its rootae, which is 12; as it hints the

founding of it by the 12 Apostles, and o∣ther things concerning it, as may appear from Revel. 21. The Spirit making 12 conspicuous in all the Particulars of the Description of it.

So the number of 25 is Remarkable in Rome, and much affected by the Papists, in many respects. For Rome had 25 Gates (as Jerusalem 12, * 1.3 Rev. 21.12.) 25 Chur∣ches, 25 Titles, or Parishes. In two of their Churches 25 Altars, on each Altat 25 marks, or dints.

Their Jubilee is every 25 year: their chief Holy-days, are upon the 25 day of the moneth: and Bartholomew-feast is cele∣brated at Rome on the 25 of August, though in all other places one day sooner. There is no one day of the moneth, which hath had originally so many holy days laid upon it as the 25.

The Articles of their Faith are 25, de∣creed in the Council of Trent: which was begun by 25 Prelates, continued 25 Sessi∣ons, and ended with the subscriptions of 25 Popish Arch-Bishops.

The Mass of Christ's 5 wounds, 5 times multiplied and repeated (which makes 25) will (say they) cure all diseases, and deli∣ver souls from pains. So that they of Rome acknowledge some great mystery

and vertue in this number.

The Emperor of Rome, the King of Spain, and Arch Duke of Austria, bear 5 Cinques, or 25 round spots in their Arms: which Device is recorded to have been sent from Heaven, in a more Celestial maner, then the Ancile of ancient Rome, as a sanctified Banner to lead Armies fortunate∣ly. The Pope and Cardinals cause these 25 spots to be imprinted in the Frontis∣piece of divers Books printed at Rome, for their better success and greater confirma∣tion.

II. Its Figure. The Figure of 666, which is a square something more then as long again as it's broad (18 being to be mul∣tiplied by 37, the product of which is 666) shews the figure of Antichrist's city, to wit, Rome, which is just such. As the Figure of 144, which is a perfect square, shews the Figure of Jerusalem. Thus far Dr. Potter.

Mr. Cotton, in his Exposition on Rev. 13.18. following Junius in his Notes on that Text, would have 6 to be multiplied by 10 (to make up 666.) So 10 times 6 is 60, and 10 times 60 is 600. Six is made the basis, because there are six Books of Decretals (of which the sixth is most com∣pleat, being compiled by Pope Boniface,

and called Sextus, in which the Pope's Canons are summed up) which are a cer∣tain platform of Direction for all matters of Practice and Maners in the Discipline of the Romish Church. So six is a per∣fect number of all things to be done there∣in, for Doctrine, Worship, and Govern∣ment: all their Administrations are found∣ed and measured out from their Canon-Laws, which are all wrapped up in six Volumes, and the sixth is the most com∣pleat of them all; therefore the Pope makes six the foundation. This (saith Mr. Cotton) is but the number of a man, that is, a meer humane invention. This 6 is multiplied by 10, because all the Go∣vernment of the Roman State (saith he) is by Tenths, by Tithes. All the Peo∣ple must give the tenth to the Priest, and the Priest to the Bishop.

To these numbers may be added the Virgin number with the Lamb, which is 144000, Revel. 14.1. (mentioned be∣fore in Revel. 7.4. as the Number of them that were sealed) made up by multiplying the 12000 of the twelve Tribes, which are the Spiritual Progeny of the twelve Apostles. See Mede in Revel. 14.1. See Mr. Cotton in Revel. 13.18. he saith, This number of the Lamb's followers hath its

rise from 12; 12 multiplied by 12 will arise from so many scores to so many hun∣dreds: and 12 times 12000 is 144000; and the number of the Beast, scil. 666, is expresly opposite thereunto. See more a∣bout it in Mr. Cotton.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Brightman.
• * 1.2

  Dr. Potter.
• * 1.3

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