Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

vain; and at last, by the power of Christianity, she and her idols, and her
instruments of cruelty, were defeated and cast down, even down to the
ground. Papal Rome, having apostatized from the spirit and power of the
gospel, copied her ancient mother, and most grievously persecuted all
who held the truth of God against corrupt doctrines and the uncertain
traditions of men; but she prevailed not; the secular and spiritual power
were conjoined to annihilate those who testified against its corruptions
and its crimes; and now, that truth which entered a solemn protest against
those corruptions is rapidly spreading over the earth; and by it more than
half the world has received that heavenly light concentrated in the Bible,
which that church had first obscured by false interpretations; and at last
violently snatched out of the hands of the people. But God has reclaimed
his own Word, delivered it over to mankind; and they who would not
walk in the light, but persecuted to death those who did, are now
consigned to their native weakness, darkness, frippery, and folly; and her
secular power is cast down for ever: and after ruling the earth with her
iron sceptre, she has vanished as a power from the nations of the earth!
Where now is her terror? Where now is her fear? and where her respect?
The mighty angel has taken up the stone, like a "great millstone," and cast
it "into the sea," saying, "Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon
be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all!" Rejoice over her,
thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets, for the blood of prophets
and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. While we say,
"Alas, alas, for this great city!" let us pray that, while her Antichristian
power is crushed and dissolved, a Christian Rome may arise, clothed with
the sun, having the moon under her feet; and thus, illustrated with sound
doctrine, unspotted holiness, and useful learning, be once more
respectable among the nations, and a blessing to the earth! Amen! Amen!
If men had uninterrupted comforts here, perhaps not one soul would
seek a preparation for heaven. Human trials and afflictions, the general
welfare of human life, are the highest proof of a providence as benevolent
as it is wise. Were the state of human affairs different from what it is, hell
would be more thickly peopled; and there would be fewer inhabitants in