Scultetus Medul. Theolog. Patrum Thesausus Librorum Philolog. et Hist. Sermons to Asses Thomson's Lectures on Modern His Sharp's Inquiry concerning Babylon Tidings from Rome, by Flavel and Rome Sherlock on Prophecy Sherwood's Nun Signs of the Times, by Bicheno Six Conferences upon Transubstantiation Tilenus Syntagma Disput. Theolog. Tilloch's Dissertation on the Apocalypse Tillotson's Rule of Faith Tillotson's Works Timpson's Ecclesiastical History Tossanus Euchiridion Theologicum Six Months in a Convent Smith's Errors of the Church Travels of an Irish Gentleman is search Travers Dissertat. Theolog. of Trial of Antichrist Smith's Reasons for Protestantism Speculum Exemplorum Spelman's Glossary Spiritual Despotism Spondanus Eistolæ Stapfer Instit. The log. Polem. Stillingfleet's Grounds of the Protestant Triumphs of Rome over Protestancy True Mother Church Truth and Error contrasted, by Mc. Ghee Tuberville's Catholic Faith and Prac tice Turquet's History of Spain Turretin Cogitat. Theolog. Turretin Institut. Theologiæ Ubertinus Arbor Vitæ Crucifixe Jesus Stillingfleet's Idolatry of the Church of Usher's Body of Divinity Rome Stillingfleet's Irenicum Stow's Memoirs of Rowland Taylor Sylveira Comment. in Apocalypsin Symson's History of the Ten Persecutions Synodicon in Gallia Reformata Synopsis Papism, by Will t Taxatio Papalis Theodoret Eccles. Hist. Usher's Conference with Fisher Van Dale Orig. et Progres. Idolatriæ Venema Instit. Hist. Eccles. Vitæ Pontific. Romanor. Vitringa Doct. Christian. Religion. Volkelius De vera Religione Vossius Theses Theolog. Waddell's Letters Waddington's Church History Walchius Hist. Eccles. Walchius Miscel. Sacra Walch's History of the Popes Waltherus Disput. Theolog. Wharton's Concise View of the Popish Whateley's Errors of Romanism Whitaker on the Revelation White's Evidence against Catholicism Williams' True Church Wilson's Apostolic Church Govern ment Wilson's Memorabilia Wise's Christian Eucharist Worship of the Church of Rome Con- Wycklyffe's Wycket White's Poor Man's Preservative Xavierio Thesausus Resolut. Concil. against Popery Willard's Body of Divinity Willet Hexapla in Danielem Zanchius Miscellanea In addition to the preceding Catalogue; a large number of pamphlets, magazines, and periodical works, with a great variety of other volumes, has been examined, in reference to the incidental arguments and facts which they contain, to confirm and illustrate the ensuing description of the modern "Babylon the Great." PREFACE. A REVIEW of God's dealings with mankind, in his providential government of the world, when conducted by the light of the holy Scriptures, and in an humble and devotional spirit, cannot fail to instruct the mind and meliorate the heart. But as the various generations of the human family are indissolubly conjoined in their identity of nature, the similarity of their moral and religious duties, and their destiny to an eternal state of existence, it is equally requisite to search the page of prophecy, as the volume of history. To the performance of this momentous duty, the "Prince of the kings of the earth," has annexed his special benediction at the commencement of the Apocalypse; which was revealed expressly to demonstrate the certainty of the Divine Oracles, by prefiguring the annals of the Christian Church, until the glorious millennial era shall enrapture the sons of Adam. "Blessed is he who readeth, and they who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein." A faithful narrative of the changes through which the visible Christian Church has passed, forms the most appropriate accompaniment for the Bible of truth, and the only sure guide to all other historical annals. If every book is characterized by defect, except the volume of supernal revelation, and if that defect is proportioned to the distance at which it is removed from the centre of perfection; how important is it, especially to youth, that pure light should irradiate the heart, and the noblest of men be viewed as examples. We introduce our youth to the sacred scriptures as the first book, and instead of sanctioning the effects which it produces, by a course of reading which may corroborate the salutary impressions educed by the holy doctrines and lives of the departed saints, we transfer their attention from Mount Zion and the heavenly Jerusalem, to Greek and Roman fables, which only augment the innate corrup tion of the heart. The object of "the glorious gospel of the ever blessed God," is to awaken in the soul of man that "fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom;" and a deep impression of the immensity of the divine perfections, and of the truth of our responsibility. Hence a mind not predisposed thus to behold the government of Jehovah in all sublunary affairs, may examine profane history, without knowing any God but the phantom of a mythology equally absurd and defiling; and without contemplating any exemplars except men whose predominant passions and uniform conduct should never be adduced, except as a beacon to caution. But a knowledge of Ecclesiastical History increases the influence of the verities which a perusal of the sacred oracles imprints on the heart; and therefore, an acquaintance with the prominent facts which have occurred amid the revolutions of christianity is indispensable. The moral qualities of man are of the highest regard, and demand our primary attention. Nothing adventitious, whether in intellect, or station, or acquisitions, is truly deserving of esteem, except it contributes to render the possessor more useful and beneficial in this state of probation, and to imbue him with superior qualifications for the future immortality. Then to what sources of information must we apply for correct ideas of the Deity, especially in his government of the world? To those histories in which his perfections are ever recognized, and the diversified changes are attributed to the divine direction. To the holy Scriptures we must primarily refer for that knowledge which is requisite to our sanctification and peace; and if this instruction be all-important, it is an incumbent duty to assist the influence of those doctrines by the sanctions which they derive from their actual display in the lives and actions of men who professed to have been governed by them. A mind fraught with moral and religious influence, and enlarged by correct acquaintance with the history of the Church of Christ, is much better prepared to peruse with advantage the annals of the world; and from the vivid and permanent sensibilities excited by the Gospel, and the delineation of its effects as embodied in the Martyrs and Reformers, he will be disposed to admire the control of that supreme, invisible hand, which incessantly regulates the machinery of the Universe. The good and the evil are so indiscriminately blended in profane history, that it is almost impossible to separate them; and through that combination persons often contract an equal fondness for the vile as the precious, until the spirit of that unhallowed amalgamation becomes incorporated in their own hearts and practice. This pernicious consequence cannot attend the proper study of Christian history. In all important occurrences, and in every character of notice and interest, the line of demarcation is so plainly drawn, that it cannot become obscured. The distinctions between truth and error, vice, and virtue, rectitude and injustice, barbarism and philanthropy, are so lucidly exhibited, that it is impossible for the most superficial observer to commingle them. Consequently, in every step of his route, the Student finds a source of knowledge in application to his own character. His mind is insensibly, yet additionally impressed, with the importance, the benefits, and the celestial origin of the sacred books. In the annals of the church of Christ, the virtues of which man is capable are exemplified in their most amiable appearance; and the vices to which sinners are prone, are displayed in all their undisguised and repulsive deformity. The natural darkness which beclouds the human mind, and the depravity which sways his soul, are clearly discerned; while in the effulgence of meridian splendour, we witness the expulsion of the mental gloom, and admire the wondrous transformation that opens the blind eyes and whitens the Ethiopian's skin. Christianity expands her archives, and proclaims man, a creature destined for an immortal existence. This gives to ecclesiastical history a lofty superiority over all other details of nations. Every page is fraught with serious recollections. We are reminded of the divine government, our personal obligations, our ineffable responsibility, the misery of an exposure to the wrath of the Lamb, and the extatic peace which accompanies the experience of the divine favor. The successive characters which are depicted, furnishing either a caution to alarm, or an example to imitate, convince the mind; because the grandeur and simplicity of virtue are intuitively separated from the tortuous baseness of vice. Thus, as in a glass, we behold the secret movements of our hearts, and the almost mysterious contradictions which adhere to the human character; and, when it is subjoined, that since the period of Constantine's reign, the history of the Savior's kingdom includes almost all that intelligence which is |