The proposition is avouched by the Angel, which saith in the seventeenth chapter, that the seven heads of the scarlet coloured beast, are seven mountains, whereon the woman sitteth, that is, seven hills whereon ⟨p. 211⟩the City of Rome is situated, whose names are these: Capitolinus, Palatinus, Aventinus, Exquilinus, Celius, Viminalis, and Quirinalis, as all Poets, and Historiographers do testify. One saith thus of Rome. Septem quae una sibi muro circundedit arces.1 another thus. Septem urbs alta jugis toto quae praesidet orbe.2 Another calleth Rome [Greek or Hebrew], the City with seven heads, that is, seven hills. It is clear then by these reasons, that Babylon in this place signifieth Rome. As for the exposition of the Papists, which affirm that Babylon here signifieth the universal society of the wicked, it is fond & ridiculous: for the Holy ghost saith,3 Babylon is that City which reigneth over the Kings of the earth. But to say that the universal society of the wicked reigneth over the Kings of the earth, is absurd and ridiculous. Therefore to say that Babylon is the universal society of the wicked, is absurd and ridiculous. The distinction of the Jesuits here is also as frivolous as their exposition: for they say, if Babylon be Rome, then it must be understood of Rome under the heathen Emperors: but not under the Popes. But the Angel saith, the woman, that is, the whore of Babylon, or Antichrist sitteth upon seven mountains: ergo she sitteth at Rome, and Rome is the seat of Antichrist; and consequently Rome under the Popes is Babylon. Moreover, we may reason thus against the Popish distinction: That which was Babylon under the heathen Emperors, is the same which is here prophesied to be the chief City and seat of Antichrist. But Rome was then Babylon: ⟨p. 112⟩ergo Rome is now Babylon: for Rome is that City which the Angel saith should be the seat of Antichrist: And this book doth show, that the great Antichrist should reign in the same City, where the heathen Emperors had reigned: & therefore it standeth firm, that Rome under the Popes is Babylon.
The proposition is auouched by the Angel, which saith in the seuenteenth chapter, that the seuen heads of the scarlet coloured beast, are seuen mountaines, whereon the woman sitteth, that is, seuen hilles whereon ⟨p. 211⟩the City of Rome is scituated, whose names are these: Capitolinus, Palatinus, Auentinus, Exquilinus, Celius, Viminalis, and Quirinalis, as al Poets, and Historiographers doo testifie. One sayth thus of Rome. Septem quae vna sibi muro circundedit arces.1 another thus. Septem vrbs alta iugis toto quae praesidet orbe.2 Another calleth Rome 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, the City with seuen heades, that is, seuen hilles. It is cleere then by these reasons, that Babylon in this place signifieth Rome. As for the exposition of the Papists, which affirme that Babylon here signifieth the vniuersall society of the wicked, it is fond & ridiculous: for the Holy ghost sayth,3 Babylon is that City which raigneth ouer the Kings of the earth. But to say that the vniuersall society of the wicked raigneth ouer the Kinges of the earth, is absurd and ridiculous. Therefore to say that Babylon is the vniuersall society of the wicked, is absurde and ridiculous. The distinction of the Iesuits here is also as friuolous as their exposition: for they say, if Babylon be Rome, then it must be vnderstood of Rome vnder the heathen Emperours: but not vnder the Popes. But the Angel sayth, the woman, that is, the whoore of Babylon, or Antichrist sitteth vpon seuen mountaines: ergo shee sitteth at Rome, and Rome is the seat of Antichrist; and consequently Rome vnder the Popes is Babylon. Moreouer, we may reason thus against the Popish distinction: That which was Babylon vnder the heathen Emperours, is the same which is here prophecied to bee the chiefe City and seat of Antichrist. But Rome was then Babylon: ⟨p. 112⟩ergo Rome is now Babylon: for Rome is that City which the Angel sayth shoulde bee the seat of Antichrist: And this book doth shew, that the great Antichrist shoulde raigne in the same City, where the heathen Emperours had raigned: & therfore it standeth firme, that Rome vnder the Popes is Babylon.
- 1Virg. Georg.
- 2Propert.
- 3Chap. 17. Chap. 18.
