in declaring more fully what under the Vials is but briefly hinted at, agrees most exactly to this sense, but by the other is broken to pecces; for Chap. 18. relates to Romes ruin, and Chap 19. concludes with the battle of Armageedon, accordingly the City Rome is the Subject of this Vial, and suddenly after Ver. 16. comes in the battle of Armageddon, whereas if the ruin of the City Rome (as judgeth the worthy Author) were not to be till the seventh Vial, the order of the Holy Ghost in Chap∣ters the 18, 19. which relates the ruin of the City Rome before, yet preparation is made to that battle, would be manifestly broken.
3 Because no interpretation can better-sute the words themselves; for what may more properly be called An∣tichrists Soat, then Rome the place where the Chair he sits in stands? or what thing can befall the Beast, which is more likely to fill his whole Kingdom with darkness, yea, make the Papals gnaw their tongues for pain, than the de∣struction of Rome, the Metropolis of that Kingdom?
4 To these I may adde a fourth Argument, urged by a learned Writer to our purpose. Where the purpled Wo∣man sits, there is Antichrists Seat, because she sits on the Beast, that is, Antichrist the purpled Woman sits at Rome, because she sits on the seven Head; of the Beast. which are the seven Mountains of Rome, Chap. 17.9 The se∣ven Heads are seven Mountains, on which the Woman sitteth. Rome, therefore is, yea, must be the Seat of Antichrist.
Now as to the Objection, That this City Rome comes under the seventh Vial, where mention is made of Great Babylon coming into remembrance before God, and that therefore it cannot be the Subject of this. I shall to that say nothing here, onely refer the Reader to our opening of that place for his answer.
Neither let any say (as some object) that this interpre∣tation