581. 'Saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to fight with him?' signifies the superiority of that doctrine over all others, because it cannot be contradicted by anyone. 'Who is like unto the beast?' signifies the supposition of the superiority of that Church, by virtue of its doctrine over all others. By 'the beast' is signified the community at large, thus the Church, and abstractly its doctrine. 'Who is able to fight with him?' signifies who can contradict the fact that a man cannot do any spiritual good by himself, besides more, of which above (n. 566), and because this cannot line contradicted, are we not saved by faith without the works of the law? But that this conclusion is absurd, indeed us itself insane, can be seen by any one who knows anything and is wise out of the Word. 'Who is able to fight with him?' also signifies that that doctrine has been confirmed by the leaders, and the teachers after them, by means of such ingenious and subtle arguments, and thus fortified so that it cannot be assailed.