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already, that the imperial head was slain by the sword, in the year 476; and, after that event, the supreme power of the government, fell into the hands of the Carlovingian Patriciate, by which it was exercised for seventy or eighty years. This was the seventh head, ordained to arise after the days of the apostle, and to continue for a short time: and when Charlemagne was crowned, the eighth head arose, which was nothing more, than one of the old forms revived: and thus the eighth, or imperial head, was one of the seven; and it remaineth unto this day. This renewal of the imperial head has already been shewn, under the figure of one of the heads of the wild beast of the sea, being wounded by the sword unto death, and that deadly wound healed.

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The ten horns or kingdoms of the Latin empire, have already been enumerated. Their power, as kingdoms, was established early in the sixth century, and thereby the Roman power assumed the shape symbolized in Rev. xiii. as the wild beast of the sea. These kingdoms have agreed most wonderfully, in giving their power and their support to the Holy Roman Empire, and to the Holy Roman Catholic Church, as declared in v. 17. But it seems by v. 14, as if they were ordained in the last days of all, to

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engage in personal conflict with Messiah.

Before this takes place, however, they are made the instruments of vengeance upon the harlot; and they shall make her desolate, and burn her with fire.

CHAP. XXVIII.

Destruction of Babylon.-Rev. xviii.

The prophecy goes on to relate the destruction of the idolatrous Babylon, which is thus introduced:

Rev. xviii. 1—3. "And after these things, I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies."

The angel here 'spoken of appears, by comparing the passages, to be the same which is mentioned in Rev. xiv. 8. The proclamation is to the same effect in each instance, but here it is more fully given: Babylon, however, is not destroyed; but the light which the angel reflects upon the earth, makes it manifest, that she is altogether become corrupt; and the minds of men are thereby enabled to discern her idolatries, and her abominations. They hate the whore, that they may be prepared to destroy her.

Whether under this symbol of the angel, any thing more is intended, than the opening of the understandings of men, by the secret influence of the Spirit of God, remains yet to be seen; but, if not, the fulfilment of the symbol, to a certain extent, is already become manifest; for many of the Roman Catholic communion, already see and loath its corruptions; and a spirit of reform has sprung up in the very midst of their ecclesiastical empire. Some, as before remarked, have thrown off their allegiance to the Pope, declaring themselves Catholics, and not Papists, or Roman Catholics and others have insisted upon the free use and circulation of the Scriptures, notwithstanding the prohibitions of the Vatican. And thus, in these latter days of the gospel dispensation, when the gospel of the kingdom is preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, as it now is; there is an out-pouring of light and knowledge, which is reflected even unto many, who are apparently in a carnal profession of Christianity, enabling them to perceive the vileness and the pollution of Babylon, and the signs of her approaching downfall.

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Malachi iv. 5, 6, announces the coming of Elijah, the prophet, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord; and our Lord himself declares, in Matthew

xvii. 11, and the correspondent gospels, that this prediction was not fully accomplished in John the Baptist for he explains, that although John was the Elias of that day, as the messenger before the Lord, to prepare the way for him in the season when he came in humility; yet that, previous to his advent in glory, Elias truly should first come and restore all things. Hence, it might be deduced, that as one messenger, of whom Elias was the type, preceded the coming in the flesh; another, perhaps the true Elias, will announce his coming in glory. In this view of the subject, the passage under consideration, or the verse which immediately follows, may refer as refer to this latter-day Elias. The reader must judge of these things for himself.

Verses 4 to 24.-" And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues: For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double, according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled, fill to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication, and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her

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