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exalted sense. They have that name who embrace and approve of the most disgraceful novelty of Gregory as something divine. Thus the number of the name of the beast is known from the number of the beast, and somewhat exceeds it. This method is easy and simple, by which the number of the name of the beast is explained. But there are some who think that it may possibly be the case that, as the name IH20T2, that is, Jesus, is equivalent to 888 (see Estius on this passage), so the name of His adversary has the num- ber 666 according to the numeral value of letters. u Nor is that to be passed over in this place,” says Neuhusius, “ which historians have remarked, that the Number of the name assumed by the Pope is generally ominous of the duration of his life and reign. Cer- tainly Alexander II. departed this mortal life in the second year of his pontificate, Clement III. in the third year, Victor IV. in the fourth, Pius V. in the fifth, Leo X. in the tenth, Gregory XIII. in the thirteenth, Sixtus V. in the fifth. By a like fatality, Benedict II., Sixtus II., Anastasius II., John II., Martin II., Nicholas II., died in the second year of their reign. Stephen III., Martin III., Clement III., Nicholas III., in the third year of their supreme power. Felix IV., Martin IV., Nicholas IV., Paul IV., Benedict IV., Clement IV., in the fourth ; Boniface V. in the fifth ; Inno- cent VHL, in the eighth, ceased to be among the living.” — Lib. ii. Fatid. Sacror. c. 31. G. Burius, in Notitia Pontificum, sect, xvi., has noticed similar instances, not only in years, but also in months. It was with this feeling that many have long since sought for the number 666 in many names. We have before brought for- ward some things from Irengeus ; and of these, who has not spoken of AATEIN02 ? And we may conjecture how this might, even at that time, have occurred to any one. In the Sibylline books, which the ancients greatly regarded, it is said, lib. viii., Xfaog avrbv oXsTrai. Now in many sovereignties, the first and the last sovereigns are found to have been distinguished by the same name ; and the first Bishop of Rome was not Peter, but Linus : and therefore, although an ancient error speaks of a second Peter , as the last, a more ancient opinion seems to have fastened upon a second Linus (with what amount of truth, does not affect the argument). In Latin, LlnVs seCVnDVs might perhaps be equivalent to 666 : but such signatures are accustomed to be noticed among their subjects at the first time, whence some regard them as omens, and not at the last. However that is, A1N02 is equivalent to 360. There is therefore wanting the number 306, that is, TEA. By a combination
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