There be two Opinions recited by Cardinal Bellarmine in this matter, one that it should be the community of all the wicked and reprobate. But this hath no manner of agreement: with the Circumstances ⟨p. 47⟩of the Text: This is not seated on seven hills, nor hath it seven Kings, five fallen, one being, and another to come, nor will those things that are foretold of the destruction of Babel agree to this Exposition, and is rejected by the learned of that side: And himself names another, (which he approves for the better) viz. that here by Babel is meant the City of Rome. As that was in Saint Johns time, for as he shows out of Tertullian, Look as old Babylon was the head of that Empire, whose King persecuted and lead into captivity, the People of God, so did Rome then: This is not only Bellarmines judgement, but Salmeron, Viegas, and others of that side that Babylon is Rome. They do well to yield to the clear evidence of truth so clear in deed as it would be ⟨p. 48⟩too shameful impudence to deny it; For what City was there which in Saint Johns time could have the addition of great, but only Rome, or did rule over the Kings of the earth, or (to omit all other Arguments was seated on seven hills: Septemque una sibi muro cirnundedit arces; It may be said Constantinople also is set on seven hills and not unfitly, for it was built in Emulation of Rome called new Rome, but not till some *Ages after Saint Johns time, we need not spend more words in a plain matter having our Adversaries own Confession, Babylon is Rome, and old Rome; yea saith Bellarmine, Heathen Rome persecuting Rome: Hear I beseech you, (Right Honourable and beloved) to observe well, not what Isay, but what Saint John, what the Angels, what our Lord Jesus Christ himself do ⟨p. 49⟩tell and relate in this Chapter, touching the fall of this Babel or Rome. It is confessed; if Babylon be Heathen Rome, that is now fallen, and hath been above a thousand years ago, and consequently thenceforth it is become An habitation of Devils, the hold of every foul spirit and a Cage of every unclean and hateful bird, for these are by the Angel conjoined with the fall thereof in the 2 Verse, will Bellarmine and his fellows now confess this to be so▪ I trow not.
There be two Opinions recited by Cardinal Bellarmine in this matter, one that it should be the communitie of all the wicked and reprobate. But this hath no manner of agreement: with the Circumstances ⟨p. 47⟩of the Text: This is not seated on seven hills, nor hath it seven Kings, five fallen, one being, and another to come, nor will those things that are foretold of the destruction of Babel agree to this Exposition, and is rejected by the learned of that side: And himselfe names another, (which he approves for the better) viz. that here by Babel is meant the Citie of Rome. As that was in Saint Iohns time, for as he shewes out of Tertullian, Look as old Babylon was the head of that Empire, whose King persecuted and lead into captivity, the People of God, so did Rome then: This is not onely Bellarmines judgement, but Salmeron, Viegas, and others of that side that Babylon is Rome. They do well to yield to the clear evidence of truth so clear in deed as it would be ⟨p. 48⟩too shameful impudence to deny it; For what City was there which in Saint Iohns time could have the addition of great, but onely Rome, or did rule over the Kings of the earth, or (to omit all other Arguments was seated on seven hills: Septemque una sibi muro cirnundedit arces; It may be said Constantinople also is set on seven hills and not unfitly, for it was built in Emulation of Rome called new Rome, but not till some *Ages after Saint Iohns time, we need not spend more words in a plam matter having our Adversaries own Confession, Babylon is Rome, and old Rome; yea saith Bellarmine, Heathen Rome persecuting Rome: Hear I be•eech you, (Right Honourable and beloved) to observe well, not what Isay, but what Saint Iohn, what the Angels, what our Lord Iesus Christ himselfe doe ⟨p. 49⟩tell and relate in this Chapter, touching the fall of this Babel or Rome. It is confessed; if Babylon be Heathen Rome, that is now falne, and hath been above a thousand years agoe, and consequenty thenceforth it is become An habitation of Devils, the hold of every foul spirit and a Cage of every unclean and hateful bird, for these are by the Angel conjoyned with the fall thereof in the 2 Verse, will Bellarmine and his fellowes now confess this to be so▪ I trow not.
- *Anno 330.
