But the stone which was the instrument of Providence in the mighty havock, swells into a prodigious importance and magnitude: becomes of a stone a mountain, and filleth all the earth.

In the present shaking and crumbling state of the once formidable confederacy of the papal power, which has been so strikingly set forth to the imagination by so many prophetic figures, and similitudes, and plain verbal declarations, that so it should come to pass; what councils are those that would enforce the reluctant mind to join in intimate union, and to stand or fall together with so desperate a cause, and which (by such means) has long provoked its fate?—It is evident that no efforts of human skill, or wisdom, or bravery, can be of any avail to turn back the commissioned sword, or stay the velocity of the falling stone. No advantage of local situation, or superior numbers; not even the universal detestation of that burning sun, that scorches them with its intolerable oppression, nor the enthusiasm of rage and despair, nor the cry

of expiring liberty by which they are stimu lated to madness,-can any longer protect "the men that worship the beast, and receive the mark of his name."-The short intervals of rest that seem to be allowed them, are but a deceitful peace; and the fore-runners of a fresh and more calamitous overthrow: the invariable answer to their anxious expectation from the avenger,-is it peace, Jehu? being still one and the same,-"what-peace !— so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel, and her witchcrafts are so many?"

How is it possible that renewed strength and augmented resources, should accrue from alliance with impending ruin? or that the ultimate salvation of our country should depend upon so unpropitious a combination of discordances; contrary to the wisdom of all experience past, and against the evident testimony of our own senses, and the melancholy reiterated tale of slaughter which every coming day brings with it? The present abject state, and fallen majesty of Rome and her confederate powers, is not to be restored for

the strengthening of England, their ancient and successful opponent; but for her hurt, and against the day of her visitation, if it should be the will of Providence that she also must fall. For it is written in the book of fate, that a day is yet to come, when the never dying rancour of the antichristian persecutor will revive, perhaps also his tripple diadem be resumed, and all the fulness of his once dreaded apostolical authority. And one more severe trial of the faith and patience of the saints, though not of long continuance, awaits the reformed churches.* Such a favorable turn in the falling fortunes of the man of sin, is very consistent with the prophecies, and in this eventful period of a changeable world, is not contrary to probability. It may be moreover requisite to the catastrophe of the long continued tragedy which he has been acting on the theatre of the church, that the last

* See sect. vii. p. 203.--The opinion of Bishop Newton, Mr Mede, and other high authorities on this point, founded oa the great disagreement amongst the commentators on the deat of the witnesses, which is still obscure, because it is still future, in respect to the concluding parts of it.

scene of it, or the final fall of that superlative and luciferian pride, may be conducted with a suitable dignity; and all the world may witness the truth of prophecy in his character and state, and the justice of heaven in his doom. "And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying thus WITH VIOLENCE shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all." (Rev. xviii. 21.)*

If such is to be the doom of the antichristian Babylon, or the hierarchy and spiritual confederacy of popery, as all protestant interpreters are agreed; and if we have evi

* Certissimum est nomine Babylonis, &c. "There can be no doubt that by the name of Babylon the city of Rome is to be understood.”—Baronius ad ann. 45. Johannes in Apocalypsi passim Romam vocat Babylonem &c." John every where in the Revelations calls Rome Babylon, which is manifest from the xvii. chapter."-Bellarmine de Rom, Pontif. lib. iii. c. xiii. Father Calmet says that Rome is pointed out by St John in his Rev. lation, xiv. 8,-xvi. 19,-xvii, 5,-xviii. 2, 10, 21, by the name of Babylon, which he describes in such a manner as can only agree to Rome; 1, by its command over all nations,

dent symptons of the speedy approach of that fatal period, it cannot be consistent with sound policy, any more than it is with pro testant principles, to admit of any union with catholics, under any circumstances. Whatever is conceded to the turbulent demands of men of infatuated minds, ("which are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt,"†) beyond the liberal toleration they have enjoyed under the protection of a free government, will only quicken and bring forward the rash designs which lurk beneath these fair pretences, and will eventually batch a cockatrice for their own destruction, if not that of the country also.‡

-2, by its cruelty towards the saints, and 3, by its situation upon seven hills. Rev. xvii. 9.-And that these descriptions are meant of Rome, both as a pagan and papal persecutor of the saints, is evident, because her fall and destruction in this manner hath not yet taken place, that she should become "the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird,”—unless it be allowed that the popes and cardinals merit these appellations. Newton, vol. iii. p.312.

+ Isai. Ivii 20.

Isai. lix. 5.