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phemies and errors of Antichrist, which errors make up a body so compact and bound together, that the members depend mutually upon one another ; or [as others say] a great number of Papists , followers of Antichrist, in which the Romish beast prides himself, and far surpasses other holy and reformed churches. Gallus pre- fers this latter sense ; but Durham the former, who contends at great length, that the name ought to denote the doctrines by which those devoted to the beast are distinguished, even by reason of the contradistinction to the elect, who have the name of the Father on their forehead ; moreover, that the phrase, to number , is some- times used for, to weigh together with judgment ; comp. Dan. v. 27 ; and that theological wisdom deduces inferences from doctrines and facts , rather than from letters. In reply to these things, it will suf- fice to have remarked in few words, that when a fixed character is assigned to the beast in the designated number of the name, and when the computation of that number is enjoined upon men, it ought altogether to be understood in a definite sense ; and the more so even on this account, because this is not a round number, nor is there in it any allusion to any other calculation of men or opinions, which is elsewhere celebrated. I add, that if it were only a multi- tude indefinitely that is intended, whether it were of errors, or of persons in error, there would here be need of no such great under- standing and attention as that which John requires. I still wonder by what means the number 666 can be taken for a great multitude, and that, too, by comparing it with the elect 144,000, since the latter greatly exceed the former. Gallus acknowledges this, and boldly changes the 666 men into so many myriads of men,” etc. — Comm, on Ap. p. 589, etc. Another interpretation takes the 666 for 6666, the 6666 for a legion, and the legion for a multitude of enemies of the Church. Contrary to this is the opinion of Zeger , who in his Epanorthotes thus comments : 66 There appears to be an allusion and reference to that name of the legion, which comprises 6666 : and while this first number \_figure~\ is taken away, it seems to be insinuated, that very great resources , both of strength and of subjects, have been subtracted from the devil by Christ, so that he cannot now boast and say , as he formerly did, My name is Legion” Meyer , on Ap. fol. 55, is not at variance with both interpretations ; and many things may be advantageously observed, either with re- ference to both or with reference to either of them. 1) Hesychius, in his Lexicon, is the only one who affirms that the legion consists of 6666 men, unless the copyist intentionally added the lesser sixes
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