Now, let it again be imagined, for argument's sake, that Babylon is the Heathen City of Rome. Rome was taken, at several times, by the Goths and the Vandals; let its capture by them be, as is alleged by Romish Divines, the fulfilment of St. John's Prophecy, Babylon is fallen! What then is the consequence? Rome is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit. Will this be allowed by Romish Divines? Rome the habitation of devils, the hold of every foul spirit, the cage of every unclean and hateful bird!

No: we do not say this; and in their language Rome is even now "the Capital of Christendom,” "the Holy City," the "spiritual Sion." They call her Sovereign, "the Supreme Pontiff," "Holy Father;" his States, "the States of the Church;" and his throne," the Holy See."

VII. Again; how can it be said that Rome is burnt with fire? and that the smoke of her burning ascends to heaven? Has the voice of harpers and musicians ceased within her? has she been taken up, like a great millstone, and plunged in the seat? No: the voice of melody is still heard in her princely palaces; they are still adorned with noble pictures and fair statues. The riches of her purple and silk and scarlet, and pearls and jewels ‡, are still displayed in the splendid attire of her Pontiff and his hierarchy in their solemn conclaves. The cavalcades of horses

*Rev. xviii. 8, 9.

Cp. Rev. xvii. 4. xviii. 12-16.

+ Cp. Rev. xviii. 21.

and of chariots *, with gorgeous trappings, and the long trains of her religious processions, still move along her streets; the frankincense still floats in clouds in her Temples, which on high festivals are hung with tapestry and brocade and gay embroidery; her precious vessels still glitter on her Altars; her rich merchandise of gold and silver is still purchased; her dainty and goodly things are not yet departed from her. She still sits as a Queen, and glorifies herself, and says, I am no Widow, and shall see no sorrow †. She wears the title of Divinity, and calls herself ETERNAL.

Here, therefore, we are brought to the same conclusion. The Babylon of the Apocalypse is Rome. Pagan Rome it cannot be. It is Papal Rome.

But it may now be said: True, the Apocalyptic Prophecies have failed of their effect, if Babylon be interpreted as representing the Heathen City of Rome. Still, it may be alleged, it does not necessarily follow that they concern Papal Rome, inasmuch as it is possible that the City of Rome may cease to be Papal, and that then it may be destroyed in the manner described in the Apocalypse.

This, as we have before said ‡, is the theory of some Romish Expositors, who perceive the insurmountable difficulties embarrassing the hypothesis, which has now been examined; and which has been, and still is, maintained by their most eminent Divines.

*Cp. Rev. xviii. 12. † Cp. Rev. xviii. 7. + Above, p. 361.

That Rome will again be heathen, and propagate heathenism with the sword, this is an alternative to which, we confidently affirm, no advocate of the Church of Rome could ever be driven, except by desperation. And, what is more, it is irreconcileable with the words of St. John.

The Beast, he says, on which the Woman sits is one of the Seven Kings, or forms of Roman Government; five of which had then fallen, the sixth then was, and the seventh was to continue but a short time; and then the Beast which is of, or from, the seven is to arise, and is to be itself the eighth †.

Hence it appears that the Beast was to appear at no great distance of time from St. John's age.

The five preceding powers, or forms of Government, could not in all have occupied so great a period of time as eight centuries; for Rome herself had not existed so long when the sixth or imperial power arose, which was in being when St. John wrote. And now the Apocalypse has been written for nearly eighteen centuries. And can any one imagine that the eighth head has not yet appeared?

More might be said against this hypothesis; but it does not require further notice. We shall make

one reflection, and dismiss it.

* Rev. xvii. 10.

† Bp. Andrewes ctrà Bellarmin. cap. xii. p. 289. Plagam accepit caput septimum, plagâ curatâ revixit octavum, Antichristus Romanus Pontifex, caput regno (i. e. tiarâ) redi

mitus.

It has sometimes been alleged by Romish Divines, as an objection to the interpretation which recognizes the Papal Church in Babylon, that they who agree in this opinion are not all of one mind in expounding other parts of the Apocalypse.

This is true. But what is the case with those who bring this charge? I mean, with the divines of Rome. They are not agreed in their exposition even of that portion of the Apocalypse which concerns Rome.

Their faith rests on the assertion, that they have an unerring guide at Rome for the exposition of Scripture; and yet, as we have seen, a large number of them affirm that these prophecies have been fulfilled in a Rome that has been; others of them deny this, and say that they wait for their fulfilment in a Rome that will be.

Is this Unity? is this Infallibility?

Next, it may be observed, that the discrepancy of those who differ in some points of an Exposition affords presumption in favour of the truth of that Interpretation in which they agree. It shows that their agreement is not the result of collusion, conspiracy, or coercion, but of conviction.

To proceed. We have seen that the Apocalyptic Babylon is not Pagan Rome. We pass now to the positive part of our argument, and show that it is Papal Rome.

I. The City seated on the Beast is called the Harlot; and this is the spiritual name for a faithless Church.

Such is Christ's love for His faithful people, that

He is pleased to speak of His own relation to them under the endearing term of marriage. The Church is His spouse *. I have espoused you as a chaste virgin to Christ, says St. Paul to the Corinthians †. Hence spiritual unfaithfulness to Christ is represented in Scripture as adultery.

This idea runs through the Apocalypse. In the Church of Pergamos there are said to be some who hold the doctrines of Balaam, and cause others to commit fornication ‡. At Thyatira there is a Jezebel, who, by her false teaching, seduces Christ's servants ; and they who commit adultery with her are threatened with tribulation §. And, on the other hand, the faithful who follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth, are said to be Virgins, and not to have been defiled with women; that is, not contaminated with the stain of spiritual adultery.

The name harlot, therefore, describes a Church, which has fallen from its first love, and gone a whoring after other Lords, and given to them the honour due to Christ.

But here it is said by Romish Divines,-If a faithless Church had been intended by St. John, (1) he would have called her, not a harlot, but an adulteress; and (2) he would not have designated her by the name of a heathen city, Babylon, which never knew God, but by the name of some city, such as Samaria, which once knew Him, and fell away from Him.

* John iii. 29. Eph. v. 23-32.

Rev. ii. 14.

† 2 Cor. xi. 2.

§ Rev. ii. 20. 22.

|| Rev. xiv. 4.