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.
Ver. 17. Might buy or sell] As at Rome, oaths, laws, vows, are soluble, and all things else are saleable. Romoe omnia venalia.
" Vendit Alexander cruces, altaria, Christum:
Vendere iure potest: emerat ills prius. "
"The pope sells crosses, altars, Christ, and all:
Well he may sell, for he bought them at the stall."
Also it is well known that the pope flatly forbids trade and traffic with all whom he hath excommunicated, as he did with the Albigenses in the Lateran Council, and as he did with one Tooly in Queen Mary's days, who being hanged for felony, and defying the pope, was (after his death) suspended and excomunicated, that no man should eat or drink, buy or sell with him, bid him good morrow. (Acts and Mon.)
Or the name of the beast] To be called a Roman Catholic, which is better esteemed among Papists than the name of a Christian. It is notoriously known, saith Dr Fulke, that the most honourable name of Christian is in Italy and at Rome a name of reproach, and usually abused to signify a fool or a dolt. (Armor. in Acts xi. sec. 4.)
Or the number of his name] That keep somewhat more aloof, and yet privily comply with Papists, and drive the same design with them, though more slyly and covertly, and to themselves perhaps unperceivedly. What is the reason the pope will not dispense in Spain or Italy, if a Papist marry a Protestant, yet here he will; but because such Protestants receive the number of his name, and will soon be drawn to him?