Rev. 18 Rev. 18:1–3 mighty angel declareth the fall of Babylon. Rev. 18:4–7 God’s people commanded to depart out of her. Rev. 18:8 After judgment. Rev. 18:9–10 The kings of the earth, Rev. 18:11–16 and the merchants, Rev. 18:17–19 and mariners, lament over her. Rev.

It is a matter of no great moment, whether by this angel we understand Christ, or a created angel; the description agreeth to Christ, and may agree to a created angel. Having great power; to whom God had given power and authority to declare the ruin of Babylon.

And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen: whoever was meant by the angel whom John saw, Rev. 18:1, his business was to give warning to the whole world, (therefore he crieth with a strong voice, ) that Rome, the great city, the mother of spiritual…

For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication; that is, her fornications which have brought this wrath upon her. And the kings of the earth have committed, &c.

And heard another voice from heaven, saying: a command from God. Come out of her, my people: they are the words of God by his prophet, Jer. 50:8, Jer. 51:6, calling to his people, that the years of their captivity being now expired, and they having a liberty to go back to Jerusalem, they would not…

For her sins have reached unto heaven; that is, the cry of her sins; according to what is said of Sodom, (one of the types of antichrist), Gen. 18:20–21.

This verse soundeth in mine ears, as if God had reserved he ruin of the papacy to be effected by some protestant hands, some of those whom they had persecuted; if not some of their persons, yet some of the same faith.

How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: this speaketh thus much; That whenever God’s time cometh for the ruin of the papacy, the condition of all that party shall appear as miserable as it appears now splendid and happy.

Therefore shall her plagues come in one day; as was threatened to old Babylon, Isa. 47:9. In one day; that is, in a short time. Death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire; all manner of judgments, till she be fully consumed.

Not all of them, for some of them shall help to burn her, Rev. 17:16; but such as God had left to their hardness of heart, that they still live in her fellowship and communion: or, if others also, it must proceed from their humanity, not being able to see so splendid a city, as that of Rome,…

As well as they loved her, they will not come nigh her in the time of her torments; the fire will be too hot for them, they will only stand aloof off, and pity her, that so great and brave a city should be so suddenly ruined; such a gay and splendid church, so politicly founded and put together,…

As the merchants, Ezek. 27:27, lamented for Tyre, that they could barter and truck no more there, because all the trade thereof was destroyed; so those ecclesiastical merchants, that were wont to trade with Rome for indulgences, and pardons, and dispensations, and faculties, for cardinals’ caps,…

Here is a large enumeration of several sorts of wares, such as were most precious, gold, silver, precious stones; such as were most useful for ornament, fine linen, purple, silk, scarlet; most gratifying the exterior senses, thyine wood, odours, ointments, & c.; most necessary, beasts, sheep,…

Not knowing how to help her, and fearing lest the buyers and sellers should he punished both alike; yet bewailing themselves that their trading is destroyed, and they are like to buy such pennyworths no more.

Alas, alas that great city! The Church of Rome, that was so gay, and splendid, and rich, and glorious.

In one hour; that is, suddenly. The term denotes rather the surprisal of this judgment, than the short space of time within which it should be effected.

We all know ship masters and sailors are persons that live by carrying merchants’ goods; and therefore, properly, the terms signify all such persons (of what rank and order soever) who get their livings by serving this mystical Babylon, whether silversmiths that make shrines for Diana, or clerks,…

Rejoice over her, thou heaven; that is, over her ruin, which is not a more proper object for the sorrow and mourning of all her adherents and dependants, than of the joy of all spiritual, heavenly persons, which are the true church, who oppose this antichristian synagogue.

And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea; for a sign or symbol of the irreparable ruin of Rome, signified by that great millstone which had ground to powder so many of God’s holy ones. By this sign God shows his prophet: 1. That Rome shall be ruined. 2.

And the voice of harpers, &c., shall be heard no more at all in thee; all these seem to me but the expression of an utter ruin and desolation, by various phrases and expressions; they should have no more occasion of mirth, nor any more business done in their city.

In the rubbish of Rome, when destroyed, will be found the blood of all those holy servants of God, whether ministers of the gospel, or professors of it, who ever since the year 606, when the pope came first to his power, have been put to death for the testimony of Christ, and a faithful adherence…