606、启13:17.“若没有印记，或兽名，或兽名的数目，没有人能买或卖”表示任何人都不可以从圣言来教导，因而也不可以宣誓就任神职、被授予教导者或大师的桂冠、戴上博士的帽子，被称为正统，除非他承认这教义，向对它的信和爱，或与它一致、不冲突的某种东西起誓。“买卖”表示为人的自我获得知识或认知，并教导它们，这些知识或认知在此是指那些属于教义的知识或认知，如稍后所示。“印记”表示承认一个人是改革宗基督徒，并认可他是这样(AR 605节)；“兽名”表示这教义的品质，“名”表示品质(AR 81, 122, 165, 584节)，“兽”表示被平信徒、因而被普通民众接受的教义(AR 567节)。此外，由于本节经文说“或兽名”，所以它表示它的品质，或与它一致的东西。“数目”表示一个事物的品质(AR 448节)；由于经上说“或兽名的数目”，所以它表示教义的品质，或与它没有冲突的东西。经上如此说，是因为龙及其兽所表示的教义因改革宗所在的不同国家而各不相同；不过，在教义之首，或这一原则方面是一样的，即：没有律法作为的信仰使人称义并得救。
“买卖”表示获得知识或认知，并教导它们，“货物或商品”(merchandise)、“贸易”(或买卖、交易)、“赚钱”(gain)所表相同，这一点从以下经文明显看出来；以赛亚书：
你们一切干渴的，都当就近水来，没有银钱的，你们都来，买了吃；不用银钱，不用价值，也来买酒和奶。(以赛亚书55:1)
又：
你们白白地卖自己，因此，你们也必无银被赎。(以赛亚书52:3)
以西结书：
你靠自己的智慧聪明为自己得了财富；你靠丰富的智慧和自己的贸易增加你的财富。(以西结书28:4, 5)
由于“推罗”表示良善和真理的知识或认知方面的教会，所以经上论到推罗说：
海上一切的船只都与你交易货物；他施人拿银子作你的客商；雅完人，土巴人，米设人，他们都作你的客商，用人的灵魂兑换你的货物。亚兰人以绿宝石作你的客商；你的财富，交易，商品、与你进行交易的，在你倾覆的日子，都必沉入海心。(以西结书27:9, 12, 13, 16, 27)
以赛亚书：
哀号吧，他施的船只，因为推罗荒废了，她的商人是王子，她的生意人是地上的尊贵人。(以赛亚书23:1-8)
在主的比喻中，买卖或生意具有相信的含义：
一个人要往外国去，就给他仆人他连得，叫他们做买卖赚钱。(马太福音25:14-30)
路加福音：
另一个人给他仆人十英镑去作生意。(路加福音19:12-26)
马太福音：
人遇见藏在田地里的宝贝，就把它藏起来，变卖他所有的一切买了这块田。(马太福音13:44)
又：
一个商人寻找漂亮的珍珠，发现一颗极贵重的珍珠时，就变卖一切买了它。(马太福音13:45, 46)
以赛亚书：
从幼年与你贸易的已经变成这样；他们也都各奔各方，无人救你。(以赛亚书47:15)
此外还有其它许多经文。
606. 13:17 So that no one can buy or sell if he does not have the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of its name. This symbolically means that no one is allowed to teach from the Word, or consequently to be inaugurated into the priesthood, to be accorded the badge of the teaching office, to be granted the doctor's cap, and called orthodox, but one who acknowledges that doctrine and swears to a belief in it and love for it, and to such as is in conformity with it, or such as does not conflict with it.
To buy and to sell mean, symbolically, to acquire concepts, in this case concepts having to do with that doctrine, and to teach them, as shown below. The mark of the beast symbolizes an acknowledgment that one is a Reformed Christian, and a confession that one is such (no. 605). The name of the beast symbolizes the character of the doctrine, a name symbolizing character (nos. 81, 122, 165, 584), and the beast symbolizing the doctrine accepted by the laity, thus by the general populace (no. 567). Moreover, because the verse says "or the name of the beast," it symbolizes its character or such as is in conformity with it. A number symbolizes the character of a thing (no. 448), and because the verse says "or the number of its name," it symbolizes the character of the doctrine or such as does not conflict with it.
It is stated so, because the doctrine symbolized by the dragon and its beast is not the same throughout the kingdoms in which Reformed Protestants are found, though it is the same in respect to this postulate or principal tenet of the doctrine, that faith justifies and saves apart from works of the law.
[2] That to buy and to sell mean, symbolically, to acquire concepts for oneself and to teach them, and so likewise to market, trade, and make a profit, is clear from the following passages:
Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money... (Isaiah 55:1)
You have sold yourselves for nothing; (therefore) you shall not be redeemed with money. (Isaiah 52:3)
With your wisdom and your understanding you have gained riches for yourself...; by your great wisdom in your trading you have increased your riches... (Ezekiel 28:4-5)
Since Tyre symbolized the church in respect to its concepts of goodness and truth, therefore we are told the following concerning Tyre:
All the ships of the sea... were... to market your merchandise... Tarshish was your trader...(in) silver... Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your merchants. With human life... they carried on your trading... Syria was your trader... with chrysoprase... Your riches, your wares, and your merchandise..., ...those carrying on your trade..., will fall into the midst of the seas on the day of your ruin. (Ezekiel 27:9, 12-13, 16, 27)
Wail, you ships of Tarshish! For (Tyre) is laid waste..., whose merchants are princes, and whose traders are the honored of the earth? (Isaiah 23:1-8)
Trading has the same meaning in the Lord's parable about a man traveling to a far country, who gave his servants talents to trade with and make a profit (Matthew 25:14-30). In another parable about a man who gave his servants ten minas for them to do business with (Luke 19:12-26). In the parable regarding a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid, who sold all that he had and bought the field (Matthew 13:44). And in the one about a man seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one precious one, sold all that he had and bought it (Matthew 13:45-46).
Such have they become..., your merchants from your youth; they shall wander each one from his region, not saving you. (Isaiah 47:15)
And so on elsewhere.
606. [verse 17] 'And that no one can buy or sell if he does not have the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name' signifies that no one is allowed to teach out of the Word, accordingly to be inaugurated into the priesthood, honoured with a master's laurel, awarded a doctor's cap and called orthodox, unless he acknowledges that doctrine and swears to a faith and love of it, or to something that agrees with it or that does not disagree. By 'to buy and sell' is signified to furnish oneself with cognitions, here those that are of doctrine, and to teach them, concerning which [something] follows. By 'the mark' is signified acknowledgment as a Reformed Christian and confession that he is one (605). By 'the name of the beast' is signified the quality of the doctrine, by 'the name' the quality (81, 122, 165, 584), and by 'the beast' is signified the doctrine received by the laity, thus by the general assembly (567); and because it is said 'or the name of the beast' there is signified the quality or such as agrees with it. By 'the number' is signified the quality of a thing (448), and because it is said 'or the number of his name' there is signified the quality or such as does not disagree. It is so said, because the doctrine that is signified by 'the dragon' and his 'beast' is diversified (non similis est) in the kingdoms where the Reformed are, but it is alike as to this principle or head of doctrine, THAT FAITH JUSTIFIES AND SAVES WITHOUT THE WORKS OF THE LAW.
[2] That 'to buy and sell' signifies to furnish oneself with cognitions and to teach them, in like manner 'to be a merchant,' 'to trade,' 'to make a profit,' is established from these passages:
Everyone thirsting, go to the waters, and he that has no silver, go, buy, and eat; go, I say, buy wine and milk without silver. Isaiah 55:1.
You have been sold for nothing, therefore you shall not be redeemed by silver. Isaiah 52:3.
In thy wisdom and thine intelligence thou hadst made for thyself wealth; and by the multitude of wisdom in thy trading thou hadst multiplied for thyself wealth. Ezekiel 28:4-5.
Since by 'Tyre' is signified the Church as to the cognitions of good and truth, therefore these things are said of Tyre:
All the ships of the sea were for carrying on thy trade; Tarshish was thy trader in silver; Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, these were thy merchants, with the souls of men they carried on thy trade; Syria was thy trader with chrysoprase: thy wealth, thy tradings, thy market, those carrying on thy trade, shall fail into the heart of the seas in the day of thy fall, Ezekiel 27 in to the end.
Howl, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre has been laid waste, whose merchants are princes, and traders are the honoured of the land. Isaiah 23:1-3.
A similar thing is understood by 'trading' in the Lord's parable:
Of the man gone abroad, who gave his servants talents, that they might trade and make a profit. Matthew 25:14-30.
And of the other who gave his servants ten pounds (mina), that they might trade with them. Luke 19:12-26.
And of the treasure hidden in a field, which when a man found, he hid, and sold all and bought the field. Matthew 13:44.
And of one seeking beautiful pearls, who when he had found one precious one, sold all and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46.
Such thy traders became from youth, they wandered every one out of his district, not saving thee, Isaiah 47:15; besides more elsewhere.
606. Verse 17. And that no one could buy or sell if he hath not the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name, signifies that it is not lawful for anyone to teach from the Word, nor consequently to be inaugurated into the priesthood, honored with the laurel of a mastership, invested with the doctor's cap, and called orthodox, unless he acknowledges that doctrine, and swears to the belief and the love of it, or to that which is in agreement, or to that which does not disagree with it. By buying and selling is signified to procure knowledges for one's self, here such as belong to that doctrine, and to teach them, as will appear presently. By "a mark" is signified the acknowledgment as a Reformed Christian, and confession that he is so, (605); by "the name of the beast" is signified the quality of the doctrine, by "name" the quality, (81[1-4], 122, 165, 584), and by "the beast" is signified the doctrine received by the laity, thus by the general body, (567); and as it is said, "or the name of the beast," that which is in agreement with it and its quality is signified; by "number" is signified the quality of a thing, (448); and because it is said, "or the number of his name," that which does not disagree with it and its quality is signified. It is so said, because the doctrine which is signified by the dragon and his beast, varies in the different kingdoms in which the Reformed are; but it is the same as to this chief or head of doctrine, THAT FAITH WITHOUT THE WORKS OF THE LAW JUSTIFIES AND SAVES.
[2] That "to buy and sell" signifies to procure knowledges, and teach them, in like manner "to merchandise," "trade," and "gain" appears from the following passages:
Everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no silver, come ye, buy and eat; yea come, buy wine and milk without silver and without price, (Isaiah 55:1).
Ye have sold yourselves for nought, therefore ye shall not be redeemed by silver, (Isaiah 52:3).
With thy wisdom and with thy intelligence thou hast made for thyself wealth; and by the multitude of wisdom and by thy traffic thou hast multiplied for thyself wealth, (Ezekiel 28:4-5).
Since by "Tyre" is signified the church as to the knowledges of good and truth, therefore it is said of Tyre:
All the ships of the sea were for trading thy merchandise; Tarshish was thy merchant in silver; Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants, they gave thy merchandise with the soul of man. Syria was thy merchant in chrysophasus; thy wealth, thy traffic, thy merchandise, they that carry on thy merchandise, shall fall into the heart of the seas in the day of thy fall, (Ezekiel 27).
Howl, ye ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, whose merchants are princes, and whose traffickers are the honored of the earth, (Isaiah 23:1-8).
The same is meant by trading, in the Lord's parable:
Of the man who travelled abroad, and gave his servants talents, that they might trade with them and gain, (Matthew 25:14-30).
And of the other, who gave his servant ten pounds to trade with, (Luke 19:12-26).
And of the treasure hid in a field; which when a man found, he hid, and sold all that he had and bought the field, (Matthew 13:44).
And of him that sought beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one precious one, sold all and bought it, (Matthew 13:45-46).
Such have thy merchants been from thy youth; they wandered everyone from his quarter, none shall save thee, (Isaiah 47:15).
606. (Vers. 17.) "Et ut nemo possit emere aut vendere, si non habet characterem, aut nomen Bestiae, aut numerum nominis ejus," significat quod nemini liceat ex Verbo docere, proinde non inaugurari sacerdotio, decorari lauru magisterii, donari pileo doctoratus, et vocari Orthodoxus, nisi qui agnoscit doctrinam illam, ac jurat in fidem et amorem ejus, aut in tale quod ei conforme est, aut in tale quod non discordat. - Per "emere et vendere" significatur comparare sibi cognitiones, hic quae illius doctrinae sunt, et docere illas, de quo sequitur; per "characterem" significatur agnitio pro Christiano Reformato, et confessio quod sit (605); per "nomen Bestiae" significatur quale doctrinae, per "nomen" quale (81, 122, 165, 584), et per "Bestiam" significatur doctrina recepta a Laicis, ita a communi caetu (567); et quia dicitur "aut nomen Bestiae" significatur quale aut tale quod ei conforme est: per "numerum" significatur quale rei (448) et quia dicitur "aut numerus nominis ejus," significatur quale aut tale quod non discordat. Ita dicitur, quia doctrina, quae per Draconem et ejus Bestiam significatur non similis est in regnis ubi sunt Reformati, at similis quoad hoc principium seu caput doctrinae, - Quod Fides sine Operibus Legis justificet et salvet. Quod "emere et vendere" significet sibi comparare cognitiones, ac docere illas, similiter "mercari," "negotiari," et "lucrari," constat ex his locis:
"Omnis sitiens ite ad aquas, et cui non argentum, ite, Emite, et comedite; ite, inquam, Emite sine argento vinum et illi," (Esaias 55:1);
"Gratis venditi estis, ideo non per argentum Redimemini," (Esaias 52:3);
"In sapientia tua et in intelligentia tua feceras tibi opes; et per multitudinem sapientiae in Negotiatione tua multiplicaveras tibi opes," (Ezechiel 28:(4,) 5).
Quoniam per "Tyrum" significatur Ecclesia quoad cognitiones boni et veri, ideo de Tyro dicuntur haec:
"Omnes naves maris fuerunt ad Negotiandum negotiationem tuam: Tharschish Negotiatrix tua in argento; Javan, Thubal et Meschech, hi Mercatores tui, cum anima hominis dederunt Negotiationem Syria Negotiatrix tua cum chrysopraso: opes tuae, Negotiationes tuae, Mercatus tui, Negotiantes negotiationem tuam, cadent in cor marium in die casus tui," (Ezechiel 27); 1
"Ejulate naves Tharschishi, quia devastata est Tyrus, cujus Mercatores principes, et Negotiatores honorati terrae," (Esaias 23:1-8).
Simile per "negotiari" intelligitur in parabola Domini, De homine peregre profecto, qui dedit servis suis talenta, ut Negotiarentur et Lucrarentur, (Matthaeus 25:24-30); 2
Et de alio qui dedit servis suis decem minas, ut cum illis Negotiarentur, (Luca 19:12-26);
Et de thesauro abscondito in agro, "quem repertum homo abscondidit, et vendidit omnia et emit agrum," (Matthaeus 13:44);
Et de quaerente pulchras margaritas, "qui cum invenisset unam pretiosam, vendidit omnia, et Emit illam," (Matthaeus 13:45-46);
"Tales facti sunt Negotiatores tui a juventute; quisque regione sua aberrarunt, non salvans te," (Esaias 47:15).
(Praeter pluries alibi.)
Footnotes:
1. 28:1 ad fin. pro "Ezechiel 37"
2. 30 pro "20"