Revelation 17

This chapter contains an explanatory digression.

(1,) One of the angels, who had the vials, to manifest the justness of the above fearful ruin of the Papal state, represents it by an awful, blasphemous, and infamous harlot, finely decked, drunk with the blood of the saints, and riding on a scarlet-coloured beast, all over marked with blasphemy, and having seven heads and ten horns, Revelation 17:1-6 .

(2,) He explains who and what she is, and what shall be her fate, Revelation 17:7-18 .

As the seventh seal and the seventh trumpet contained many more particulars than any of the former seals and former trumpets, so the seventh vial contains more than any of the former vials: and the more you consider, the more admirable you will find the structure of this book in all its parts. The destruction of the antichristian empire is a subject of such importance and consequence, that the Holy Spirit hath thought fit to represent it under a variety of images. Rome hath already been characterized by the names of spiritual Egypt and Babylon; and having seen how her plagues resemble those of Egypt, we shall now see her fall compared to that of Babylon. It was declared before in general, (Revelation 14:8,) Babylon is fallen, is fallen; but this is a catastrophe deserving of a more particular description, both for a warning to some and for a consolation to others. But before the description of her fall and destruction, there is premised an account of her state and condition, that there may be no mistake in the application. Rome was meant, as all, both Papists and Protestants, agree; and I think it appears, almost to demonstration, that not pagan but Christian, not imperial but Papal, Rome was here intended; and the arguments urged to the contrary by the bishop of Meaux himself, the best and ablest advocate for Popery, prove nothing so much as the weakness and badness of the cause which they are brought to defend.