1But before I go about to prove that Babylon here is Rome, I would have it carefully observed what is meant by Rome, viz. not the topography of Rome, that is, so much ground only as is compassed within the walls of that city, but the regiment, government, and prerogative that is claimed by virtue of that Monarchy whereof Rome is the head. By Rome is meant the power and authority of Rome: or to speak plainly, by Rome is meant the Roman Monarchy. Further, we are here to observe the reason why the holy Ghost calleth Rome Babylon; for Rome literally and properly taken, is not Babylon, in as much as they were two divers cities, one in Italy, the other in Chaldea: but Rome is called Babylon mystically, figuratively, and, as the holy Ghost speaketh, spiritually, and by a kind of allusion:2 For as the old Eastern Babylon did a long time oppress the Church of the Jews; so Rome, this Western Babylon, hath long oppressed the Church of the Christians: As the Eastern Babylon did many years ⟨p. 279⟩hold down the people of God in miserable bondage and servitude; so the Western Babylon did a long time keep the Christian Church in spiritual thraldom and misery. In which respects Rome is spiritually compared to Sodom and Egypt: to Sodom for filthiness, and to Egypt for idolatry, and keeping Gods Church in spiritual bondage and slavery. And thus we see the reason why Rome is called Babylon, which is not simply and properly, but after a sort, that is, by a phrase of speech, or Trope, which they call a Metonymy, or changing of names, when that is given to one thing which is proper to another, for the likeness of quality that it hath with it, or adjoined unto it.
1But before I go about to prove that Babylon here is Rome, I would have it carefully observed what is meant by Rome, viz. not the topography of Rome, that is, so much ground only as is compassed within the wals of that city, but the regiment, government, and prerogative that is claimed by vertue of that Monarchy whereof Rome is the head. By Rome is meant the power and authority of Rome: or to speak plainly, by Rome is meant the Roman Monarchy. Further, we are here to observe the reason why the holy Ghost calleth Rome Babylon; for Rome literally and properly taken, is not Babylon, in as much as they were two divers cities, one in Italy, the other in Chaldea: but Rome is called Babylon mystically, figuratively, and, as the holy Ghost speaketh, spiritually, and by a kind of allusion:2 For as the old Eastern Babylon did a long time oppresse the Church of the Jewes; so Rome, this Western Babylon, hath long oppressed the Church of the Christians: As the Eastern Babylon did many yeers ⟨p. 279⟩hold down the people of God in miserable bondage and servitude; so the Western Babylon did a long time keep the Christian Church in spirituall thraldome and misery. In which respects Rome is spiritually compared to Sodom and Egypt: to Sodom for filthinesse, and to Egypt for idolatry, and keeping Gods Church in spirituall bondage and slavery. And thus we see the reason why Rome is called Babylon, which is not simply and properly, but after a sort, that is, by a phrase of speech, or Trope, which they call a Metonymie, or changing of names, when that is given to one thing which is proper to another, for the likenesse of quality that it hath with it, or adjoyned unto it.
- 1How Rome is to be taken.
- 2Chap. 11.8. A reason why Rome is called Babylon.
