(11) And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. (12) And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. (13) And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, (14) And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. (15) And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. (16) And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: (17) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (18) Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Various have been the opinions of men, on the subject of this other beast. Some have contended, from the term other beast, that notwithstanding this agrees with the former in sentiment and in conduct, yet it cannot be the same. And, no doubt, in the first view of the subject, it should seem to be another character. Nevertheless, it hath been as strongly asserted by others, that it is but one and the same, the former intimating a temporal power, and the latter an ecclesiastical government; and that both must describe, for the characters can belong to no other than the Pope of Rome. I leave the Reader, however, to form his own opinion, under the grace of God.
It will be our best improvement, in order to a clear apprehension of the subject, to attend to the particular features of character, by which this beast is described.
First. He is spoken of as a lamb with two horns, probably to intimate his affecting the character of religion, and that of Christ the Lamb of God. If this be, as is generally supposed, the representation of the Pope, in his papal office, there can be no difficulty in explaining what is here said, in reference to that character. For as the Pope, Christ's vicar, as he blasphemously calls himself; and head of the Church, Peter's successor, and the like, and agreeably to those assumed titles, he utters great swelling words, and speaks as a dragon, this name of lamb, surrounded as he is with his cardinals, bishops, abbots, and priests, is just as suited to him, under this ecclesiastical power which the dragon hath given to him, as the other is considered in his temporal pomp, as a prince and sovereign. He and his cardinals, both ecclesiastical and temporal lords. A. pretty groupe!
Secondly. His exercising the same power as the beast before him, seems to imply an identity of person, and that it is one and the same, and the place of government is the same, which could not well be, if it were not so. And, as he is said to enforce the worship of the first beast, it should moreover seem to point to those Anathemas, bulls, excommunications, and the like, by which the papal authority is known. On this ground, there doth not appear much difficulty of apprehension.
Thirdly. His deception of them that dwell on the earth, by miracles, or rather pretended miracles, is yet an higher proof still. For no power but the Pontiff, ever assumed the character of working miracles, or rather, palming off upon the common people, the tale of lying wonders. This is so striking a feature of Popery, that it belongs to no other. And to read an account of what some Popes have been said to do this way, is one of the most impudent attempts the world ever had palmed off upon them, excepting indeed, the counterpart of the same, in the Hegira of Mahomet.
Fourthly. And to crown all. The mark of the beast in the right hand or forehead of the people, is the finishing account of this awful beast. And to what extent, in what numbers, to how many persons the awful delusion hath reached, who shall calculate or say? Most distressing is it to consider, that, from the ignorance of the common people, and the craft of the higher, in the support of a system; that upon principles of human policy, hath been found the best state-contrivance, to keep the lower order in subjection, multitudes have received the mark, and worshipped the beast. Indeed, the prohibition of trade and employment without the mark, is such in popish countries, that the practice is universal. And still, if possible, more awful to relate, concerning those who profess to know better and to be above such foolish notions, it is to be feared that the numbers are not few, who receive the mark in the moment they deride it, the better to carry on the secular, or ecclesiastical purpose of the world! Such are among the awful deceptions of this heresy.
I forbear to offer a single observation on the number of the beast, six hundred, three score and six. Much hath been said and written upon it, by carnal men. Few, I believe, of those taught of God, have ventured to give their opinion upon it. The Holy Ghost saith, here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast. But it would be well to remember that it is him, that hath understanding; none beside. And where the Lord giveth not understanding, the wisest will only stumble at the very threshold of enquiry. I retire from it with diffidence. The Lord in his own time will explain. And here I leave the subject.