Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	apostle_n	church_n	creed_n	2,605	5	10.2206	5	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A55520	An interpretation of the number 666 wherein, not onely the manner, how this number ought to be interpreted, is clearely proved and demonstrated : but it is also shewed [that] this number is an exquisite and perfect character, truly, exactly, and essentially describing that state of government to [which] all other notes of Antichrist doe agree : with all knowne objections solidly and fully answered [that] can be materially made against it / by Francis Potter ...	Potter, Francis, 1594-1678.	1642 (1642)	Wing P3028; ESTC R40657	113,466	230

nomine Christianorum deleto Rursus ibidem altera inscriptio DIOCLESIAN CAESAR AUGUST SUPERSTITIONE CHRISTI UBI QUE deletá i But because the Papacie began then suddenly to start up after these persecutions therefore Baronius saith fefellit planè spes vana principes c. Papacy did consist of 25 persons and no more CHAP. 16. A disquisition concerning other particulars to which the number 12 is applied in the description of the new Hierusalem and particularly of the 12 Gates 12 Tribes and 12 Angels THat this truth may more plainely appeare it is requisite that something be first said briefly and in generall of those other particulars to which the same number is also to be applied for as it is above intimated all those particulars to which the number 12 is applied in the description of the new Hierusalem must have so many other particulars answerable and opposite to them in that mysticall Babylon to which the number 25 must be in like manner applicable Now the number 12 is actually and expresly applied unto six severall things in the description of the new Hierusalem which are these 1 Twelve Gates 2 Twelve Angels at the Gates 3 Twelve Tribes written on the Gates 4 Twelve foundations with names written on them 5 Twelve thousand furlongs the measure of the City 6 Twelve manner of fruits of the tree of life Notwithstanding that there is great difference among Interpreters what these 6 things are which are hereso expresly numbred described and howthey ought to be applyed to the Church yet their divers interpretations according to which every man aboundeth in his own sense are rather helps thē hinderances for the right discerning and finding out of those things which in the Romish Hierarchy are answerable unto thē For which way soever these things are to be understood and according to what possible probabilitie soever they may be interpreted there are things in all senses answerable unto them in the Romish Babylon If these Gates be literally to be understood of the gates of the materiall city Hierusalem then the materiall gates of the City of Rome must be answerable unto them And for a full application in this sense it shall be shewed that as the gates of Hierusalem were 12 in number so the gates of Rome were 25 in number But if those gates be also to be understood in a spirituall sense which without all question is chiefly intended and most exactly verified then these gates must be understood to be the gates of the Church signified by Hierusalem Now the gates of the Catholique Church which is really and truly the Heavenly Hierusalem may be said to be 12 divers waies First the Apostles themselves may be said to have been the 12 gates of the Church in respect of their faith and doctrine in generall because by their examples and by the sincerity and truth of their life and doctrine all other Christians have been converted to the true Religion And in this respect the Cardinals of Rome who make themselves answerable to the Apostles and whose originall number was 25 may be also said to have beene the 25 gates of spirituall Babylon because chiefly and originally by their policy and hypocrisy in laying the first foundation of Poperie all other Papists have been since perswaded and invited to believe and to embrace the Heresies and superstitions of the Church of Rome But secondly and in a more particular and proper sense there may be said to have been 12 gates of the Church because the administration of the Sacraments especially of Baptisme which is literally and properly the gate of the celestiall Hierusalem was chiefly originally a Although others did baptize in the Primitiue Church besides the 12 Apostles yet they cannot be properly called the first gates of the Church because these to whom this power was derived from the Apostles were first baptized themselves by the Apostles So that as Christ is truly and eminently said to be the foūdation of that foundation which was laid by the Apostles so the Apostles thēselves are truly and eminently the first chiefe gates of the Church even in respect of those who have beene since made as it were gates of the Church by their appointment by the fulnesse of their Commission authority which they di● all equally and immediatly receive from Christ as it appeareth in the Gospell committed unto the 12 Apostles And in this sense it shall be shewed that as in the first apparent beginning of Christianity the administration of Baptisme was originally committed unto 12 Apostles in the City of Hierusalem which is therefore truly called Mater gremium ostium omnium Ecclesiarum the mother the wombe and the gate of all Churches so in the first apparent beginning of Popery the administration of Baptisme was originally committed unto 25 Cardinals in the City of Rome which city doth also stile her selfe Mater gremium ostium omnium Ecclesiarum the Mother the wombe and the gate of all Churches Thirdly these gates of the new Hierusalem seem to have speciall reference to those materiall Churches or to those places which were then answerable to our Churches wherein the Apostles did usually administer the word Sacraments while they were in Hierusalem for as the Apostles are called gates because administration of the word and Sacraments was performed by them so Churches may be called gates because these functions were performed in them And as Baptisme is truly said to be the gate of the Church so according to the phrase of the Scriptures that may be truly said of every particular Church or congregation which Iacob once spake of Bethel Haec est domus Dei haec Gen. 28. 17. est porta coeli this is the house of God this is the gate of heaven And although those places in Hierusalem wherein Christians first assembled themselves were not such as our Churches now are as neither was Bethel at that time when Jacob called it the gate of Heaven yet it cannot be imagined but that there were set congregations which had some certaine places to meet in and severall Pastors to instruct them for as the Apostles divided the world as it were by line among themselves so that one would not meddle within the compasse of anothers line so it is to be conceived that the same Apostles by whose precept or example Parishes and Diocesses in all places began to be erected first in Cities and then in Villages did not confusedly and promiscuously performe all duties Ecclesiasticall functions among themselves but that they did divide the City Hierusalem into 12 severall Jurisdictions Parishes or Divisions and that they did in 12 severall places administer the Sacrament of Baptisme and doe all other religious duties which are now usually performed in Churches These places were for the most part large upper roomes such as that was which the Apostles prepared for our Saviour Christ to eat the Paschall Lamb in these in those times were

answerable to those ancient Tribes of Hierusalem and Rome although called by another name and changed to another number And thus much of things answering to the Tribes of the new Hierusalem Jn the next place it is to be observed that in every one of these Parishes there was some publique place of meeting appointed or some Church erected for the administration of Baptisme these places or Churches in the City of Rome are fitly answerable to those Churches in the literall Hierusalem which were the first Gates of the spirituall Hierusalem For as it is above declared that every particular Church may for divers reasons be said to be a gate of the Church universall but especially in respect of the administration of baptisme which literally and properly is the Gate of the Church so these Churches in the City of Rome which are named Baptismall Churches as it is a By D. Field observed because in these only Baptisme was originally administred are in this respect as also in divers others properly and exactly answerable to those Gates of the Spirituall Hierusalem That there were such Churches as these and that to every one of these Churches there was at the first but one Priest appointed as there was one Angell placed at every Gate of the celestiall Hierusalem is evident by that which Onuphrius hath written and by the testimonies of divers other writers whose words J shall have occasion to set downe when I come to speake of the number of these Churches But when these Parish Preists degenerated into Cardinalls and were made a Colledge and Corporation exercising a new kind of superepiscopall jurisdiction in and over these churches then was the birth of Antichrist then did Antichrist really and truly and literally and locally sit first in these christian churches at Rome and from thence his pseudo-apostolicall Authority hath been obtruded and imposed upon other churches By which it is evident that as some interpreters doe make the Apostles themselves although in divers respects to be the Gates the Angells and the foundations of the celestiall Hierusalem so the Cardinalls in one respect may be said to be the first Gates of the Church of Rome because at their first institution the administration of Baptisme was committed unto them only and in another respect they may be called Angels because they were Pastors of the first parish churches in Rome and lastly they may be truly said to have been the first Foundation stones on which the Popish Hierarchie hath been ever since erected as it is above more fully and particularly declared I doe not forget that some writers doe interpret these twelve Foundations to be the twelve Articles of the Creed but I passe over this interpretation in this place not because the Pope hath not a Creed consisting of twentie and five Articles answerable to those of the Apostles but because I conceive the 12 Articles of the Creed to be chiefly and directly aymed at by the twelve manner of fruits growing on the tree of life as in the sixth and last place shall be observed And thus much in generall of things sometime actually existing in Rome answerable to the Gates Tribes Angels and Foundations sometime actually existing in the new Hierusalem and that according to all senses which way soever they may with any probability be interpreted concerning all which I doe oblige my selfe to prove that there were 25 Gates in Rome according to the sense literall 25 Churches for Baptisme according to the sense spirituall and 25 Pastors placed at these Churches and 25 Cardinals sitting and ruling in them and 25 Titles Tribes or Parishes belonging to them CHAP. 18. Of such things as are answerable to the measure of 12000 furlongs and the 12 manner of fruits growing on the tree of life The conclusion of all that hath been said concerning the Antithesis of things in generall as it is distinguished from that Antithesis of numbers which is next to be proved IN the next place it comes to be inquired what that is in the City of Antichrist which is answerable to the measure of 12 thousand furlongs by which as it is above shewed the true compasse of that City in which Christ did first and chiefly erect his Church and Hierarchie is truly although mystically declared To which J answer that as the number 12 having thousands of furlongs added unto it is the truesolid measure of an imaginarie Cube whose compasse is equall to the compasse of the city Hierusalem so the number 25 having thousands of furlongs added to it is the true solid measure of that imaginary Cube whose compasse is equall to the compasse of the city of Rome I will not here trouble the reader with Arithmeticall computations let those that have understanding to extract the Roots of numbers either believe me or else finde out themselves what is the solid root of 25000 and they shall be then resolved that a Cube of 25 thousand Furlongs is in compasse 116 furlongs and above 3 quarters of a furlong that is 14 miles and an halfe and almost halfe a quarter of a mile which measure how fitly it agreeth with the circuit and compasse of the city of Rome shall in it's place be evidently declared It remaineth now in the sixth and last place to be considered what is meant by the 12 manner of Fruits growing on the tree of life and what those things are in the Church of Rome answerable unto them This tree of life in the midst of the city is Christ in the midst of his Church these 12 Fruits are that food by which Christians live and are nourished up unto everlasting life and that food by which Christians live is Faith For all just men live by Faith as it is written and by every word that proccedeth out of the mouth of God but the Apostles creed is the only true faith because it is the materiall object of every Christian man's faith and a perfect summe of the doctrine of Christian religion gathered out of the Scriptures and containing all truthes necessary to be believed and therefore whosoever confesseth with his mouth and believeth with his heart all the Articles of the creed he doth truly eat of all those fruits which grow on this tree of life Now because the creed of the Apostles did originally proceed from 12 persons doth naturally branch it selfe into 12 Articles as it hath been long since actually divided therefore J doubt not but that this is that particular truth really and actually existing in the Church to which these 12 manner of Fruits have a speciall and evident allusion Now as touching the Romish faith J shall make it evident that the Papists have added new Articles to the Apostles creed and have increased the number from 12 unto 25 For whether we take the councell of Trent it selfe to be the faith and doctrine of the Church of Rome or that Creed which was composed and set forth by Pope Pius the fourth according to

in the Scripture that the mystery of the number consists in the application of the root of it But that the mystery consists in numerall letters of any name it cannot be proved either by reason or Scripture but only by the event interpretations that any Writers have hitherto set forth concerning the number 666. But being the same root or number doth not only shew the first originall number of Cardinals or Anti-apostles but doth also intimate that they are according to divers spirituall senses the Gates Angells and Foundations of the Popes mysticall City State and Hierarchy and doth also shew how many furlongs in compasse the City of Rome should be how many Gates it was to have about it how many Churches for Baptisme in it how many Pastors did first exercise Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction over it into how many Titles or Parishes it was first divided and unto how many heads and Articles Christian religion should be there augmented being I say this one number 25 doth not in one nor in two nor in three onely but in all these particulars and in all senses in every one of these particulars truly and evidently Number Measure Describe and Characterise the City State and Hierarchy of Rome and that state and City onely so that it is not so fitly applicable to any other state and City no not in any one thing fitly answering any one of those six particulars above mentioned then how can any man desire a more essentiall and exact description of the Papacie then the right application of this number 25 plainly exhibits to him that doth fully understand it or how can any one which understandeth these things justly say that I have spoken hyperbolically whereas I have above said that the City State and Hierarchy of Antichrist is by this number 25 most evidently and miraculously described J have as yet applied the number 25 unto the Papacie only in such things as are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is answerable and opposite to such things as are mentioned in the description of the new Hierusalem But as the number 12 is in many other respects besides these applicable to the true Church and to such things as pertaine unto it So J am now to shew as I have also above promised that this number 25 is in many other things applicable to the Papacie and to such things as doe pertaine unto it But first there are some observations concerning that part of the application which is already proved which may in this place be interposed First it may be observed that although the root of the number 666 were applicable to the Papacie in no other things saving only in these above proved Yet these are sufficient because by these the Papacie is evidently distinguished from all other states of goverment and because there are no other things in the Papacy more essentiall and remarkable then these Secondly that although the description of the new Hierusalem were of a City in all respects meerely imaginary as perhaps in some things it is and were not applicable either according to a sense of allusion to that materiall Hierusalem which once was or according to a sense of prediction to the last state of the new materiall Hierusalem which for all that we know may be yet for to come yet such an imaginary City being so exactly and in so many divers respects measured numbred and described by the root and figure of one number onely may be purposely set downe as a rule and patterne by which the root and figure of another number given ought to be applied to a City not imaginary but really and actually existing for God who sometimes chuseth things that are not to bring to nought things that are may also by things that are not bring to light things that are and by the opposition or juxta-position of supposed and imaginary measures numbers of a heavenly Hierusalem may discover the true and reall numbers and measures of all things remarkable in the City of Rome Thirdly it may be observed that although the description of the new Hierusalem had not exemplarily directed this application chiefly unto those particulars above mentioned yet the things themselves are such that it is probable that the wisdome of God would rather have foretold those things of Antichrist then any other For God by his Prophets in the old Testament intending to fore shew and foretell the kingdome of Christ did not foretel what nūber the letters of Christs name or any name of his Church or kingdome should containe as the Papists would make us believe S. Iohn doth concerning Antichrist but did foretell by divers types the number of Christs Apostles and their office and quality as appeares by divers Types in the Scriptures and especially by the Type of the 12 Oxen under the brasen sea by which not onely the number of the Apostles was foretold but also their condition as that the Sea of Grace and Laver of regeneration should by them be supported and carried into all quarters of the world and that they should goe and baptize all nations c. Since then the Cardinals of Rome are those persons in that Antichristian Hierarchy which are answerable to the Apostles and those to whom the administration of Baptisme was originally most remarkably committed it is therefore more probable that their Number Nature and Condition should be typed in the Scriptures then any other one thing concerning Antichrist Lastly it may be observed concerning the compasse of the Area or platforme of the City of Rome and concerning the first number of Churches at once and the same time instituted that they are things fatall and mysticall in themselves as Onuphrius Panvinius concerning both these things hath observed of the first he writeth thus Pomaerii autem urbis Romae terminos non sine Augurum consilio poni mutari ac restitui potuissesatis constat innu●tque haec inscriptio Collegium Augurum Autore Imp Casare Divi. Trajani Parthiciterminos Pomaerii restituendos curavit Of the number of Churches he writeth thus Cur autem non plures neq pauciores Ecclesiae simul institutae fuerint quae his nominibus decorarentur operae pretium erit explicare huicque instituto maximè consentaneum cùm haec res insigni mysterio celebratasit For although a Onuphrius in the 2 chap. of his book De praecipuis urb Rom. B silicis wilnesseth that there were 25 Titles at ●nce instituted that this number was afterwards augméted succe●sively some Popes adding one Title and some another untill they came to ●8 in number which as he co●●e●lures was ab●ut the Time oF L●o the first in the yeare 44● Onuphrius speaketh these words of other Churches in Rome also not only of these 25 which were first called Titles yet his words can be verified of these Churches onely because even himselfe being judge and that cloud of witnesse which I have above alleaged there never was any other Totall number of Churches which were

quiden reverá non tam nominis Bestiae quàm Bestiae ipsius numerus est quomod● etiam statim vocatur Numerus autem nominis ide● tantùm dicitur quòd nominis Bestiae li●e●is in numeros relatis Deoita disponen●e contineatur Com Apocal. Cantabrigrae nup●r editus Nomen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 numerum conficit à Sp sancto notatum numerum autem mysticum quo indicatur cusus prosapiae si● Bestia Idem pag. 216. divers learned Interpreters doe willingly acknowledge But as touching the chiefe and principall meaning that there may be found out such a kinde of interpretation as may be warranted by an expresse Example in the holy Scriptures And such an Interpretation as the precedent subsequent words of the text may not onely seem to admit of but necessarily to inforce and such an interpretation as doth essentially and accurately describe that state of government to which all other notes of Antichrist agree there is no way more probable or more agreeable to reason nor any way lesse repugnant to the writings of the chiefest interpreters then to prosecute the grounds already laid by those who haue indeavoured to finde out the mystery contained in this number by comparing it with the number 144 to which this number 666 is as it were the anti-numerus must therefore be interpreted after the same manner and in the same particulars applyed to the Synagogue of Antichrist as the number 144 ought to be interpreted and as it is in the Scriptures applied to the Church of Christ CAP. 2. That the mystery of the number 144 which is the number opposed to 666 consists in the square root of it which is 12 and that therefore the mystery of 666 must be in the square root of it also ANd now concerning the manner how this number 144 ought to be interpreted it is already agreed upon as it were by a general consent as well of the ancient as of the later interpreters that the only or at least the chief cause why this number was chosen rather then any other to be the measure of the wall of the celestiall Jerusalem is because this number is raised and built upon the number 12 which being multiplied into it selfe produceth this square number 144. For as this number 144 is raised and built upon the number of 12 onely and cannot possibly admit of any other number to be the root and basis of it as is evidently knowne to all that have skill in Arithmetick to count numbers and extract the roots of them so neither can the Church of Christ admit of any other foundation then that which is already laid by the 12 Apostles As therefore this number 144 is built upon 12 unities so is the Church of Christ upon the 12 Apostles And as the number of 12 is more conspicuous and remarkable in this number 144 then any other number because it measureth not onely the bottome or root but the sides and rankes of it also as will plainly appeare to any one that considereth and counteth the sides and unities of this square figure following where the number 144 is set down in due order the unities being placed according to right angles and equall distances one from another I say therefore as the number of 12 is more conspicuous and remarkeable in this figurated number consisting of 144 vnities then any other number soe it is evident that the number of 12 is more conspicuous and remarkeable in the Church of God then any other number whatsoever And hence it is that this number 12 is rehearsed and repeated above one hundred forty and foure times in the Scriptures and is in them so often used and in so many and so diverse particulars applied by the spirit to things pertaining to the Church that we cannot but acknowledge this number to be chosen and as it were affected by the Holy Ghost rather then any other And although the number 144 may truly bee said to be Gods number in a more particular manner then many other numbers used in the Scriptures because it representeth the figure of the Citty and in generall the forme and structure of the Church and Hierarchie thereof as shall be shewed yet it cannot so properly be called Gods number as the number 12 which almost in all materiall respects is applicable to the Church and is used in the Scriptures alwaies as numerus certus pro certo and not as numerus certus proincerto in which sense it must needs be granted that the number 144 doth signify and represent the Church in generall For it is not in it selfe being wholy considered applicable as the number 12 is to any particular times persons or places or other particular things mentioned in the Scriptures but only in respect of the root or basis of it which is 12. For there were 12 Tribes not 144 and 12 gates in Jerusalem not 144 and 12 Apostles not 144. And so it may be said of many other things And whereas the number 144 is no where mentioned in the Scriptures but only in the 21 of the Revelation it must needs be granted that it is not there said to be the measure of the Wall which doth in that place signify the spirituall building of Gods Church because there then were or at any time should be precisely so many no more faithfull Christians or living stones built upon the 12 foundations there named but that we might thence learne that how great or how little soever the number of faithfull Christians should be yet they must be all built upon the foundation of the 12 Apostles as the number 144 is built upon 12 unities And hence that is evident which most interpreters grant that this number 144 was chosen to be the measure of the wall of the new Ierusalem for this reason only or for this reason chiefly because it is the only square number which can be raised and built upon 12 unities as is clearly known to all those that haue understanding to extract the roots of numbers CHAP. 3. The manner of the interpretation more clearely yet cursorily proposed An introduction to the true interpretation of the number 144 and the measures of the new Hierusalem AND now although I may take this for granted for the reasons above rehearsed that this number 144 is not in it selfe any way particularly to be applied to Gods Church and people but only in respect of the number 12 which is the root and basis of it and so might accordingly proceed shewing that the number 666 is not in it selfe applicable to any Times Names Persons Places or other circumstances belonging to Antichrist as many vainely and fruitlessely have endeavoured to find out but only that the root of this number 666 whatsoever number it be must be the number which is in many particular respects applicable to the kingdome of Antichrist and that as the number 12 which is the square root of 144 is more properly said to be Gods number then