53. IX. BABYLON AND ITS DESTRUCTION.
That all the things which are predicted in the Apocalypse are at this day fulfilled, may be seen above (n. 40-44); and that the Last Judgment has already been accomplished, may be seen in the preceding article; where it is also shown how the judgment was effected upon the Mohammedans and Gentiles. Now follows an account of the manner in which it was effected upon the Papists, who are meant by "Babylon," which is treated of in many parts of the Apocalypse, and its destruction especially in chapter 18, where it is thus described:
An angel cried vehemently with a great voice, Babylon hath fallen, hath fallen, and has become the habitation of demons, and the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird (v. 2).
But before it is told how that destruction was effected, I shall premise:
I. What is meant by "Babylon," and what its quality is.
II. The quality of those in the other life who are of Babylon.
III. Where their habitations have hitherto been.
IV. Why they were there tolerated until the day of the Last Judgment.
V. How they were destroyed, and their habitations made a desert.
VI. Those of them who were in the affection of truth from good were preserved.
VII. The state of those hereafter who come thence from the earth.