Babylons downfall a sermon lately preached at Westminster before sundry of the honourable House…

4. The Scripture is most express, telling us, totidem verbis, that that City which in S. Johns time reigned over the Kings of the earth, was Babylon. Revel. 17. 18. And the woman which thou sawest, is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the earth. But in S. Johns time no other City then Rome reigned over the Kings of the earth, and therefore that, and that alone is truly Babylon, that is, our late Babylon. Whereupon Cornelius à lapide, considering also how Irenaeus, Lactantius, Jerome, and other Ancients, speak fully to our purpose, professes that he will not tergiver••ri, but granteth, that by Babylon is meant Rome.

4. The Scripture is most expresse, telling us, totidem verbis, that that Citie which in S. Johns time raigned over the Kings of the earth, was Babylon. Revel. 17. 18. And the woman which thou sawest, is that great Citie which raigneth over the Kings of the earth. But in S. Iohns time no other Citie then Rome raigned over the Kings of the earth, and therefore that, and that alone is truly Babylon, that is, our late Babylon. Whereupon Cornelius à lapide, considering also how Irenaeus, Lactantius, Ierome, and other Ancients, speak fully to our purpose, professes that he will not tergiver••ri, but granteth, that by Babylon is meant Rome.

If so,¹ what ill office have they done to the Churches, and people of God, that obtrude this position upon us. That the Church of Rome is a true Church. But was Babylon a true Church? was Sodom a true Church? was Egypt a true Church? Rome is Sodom, Egypt, and truly Babylon. Oh what abundance of hurt, and mischief hath this dangerous position done, that the Church of Rome is a true Church! I my self have known some that had relinquished the Church of Rome, and written against her, who again staggered in their faith, I wish (I might not say they were revolted) when they saw this opinion countenanced, and published by great authority. And what say the Papists?