Second advent library

2818. And the woman which thou sawest is thatgreat city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.Thevery appropriately called agreat city. First,because of its great multitude. Secondly,because of its great influence. Thirdly,because of its combination. Fourthly, becauseof its mode of government ; and lastly,because of _its laws and ordinances.1. Like agreat city. Rome. as a Church,has claimed for her communicants a vastmultitude among all nations, of all grades,colors and conditions.2. A great city has a great influenceover the country where it is situated,--inthe manners, customs, religion and politicsof the inhabitants of the same. So likewisewith the Church of Rome. Who cannotsee that in all the countries where shehas gained any ascendancy, the same dissolutemanners, and vain show and costumehave prevailed? The samemoml blight andpolitical degradation, in every Catholic countryin Europe, is at this .time true to thevery letter.3. A city is a large corporatebody; andChurch of Rome, in this verse, isso is the Church of Rome. It is notmany bodies, but one at least in profession.Wherever their influence is felt, and votariesareobtained, they belong to the same combi-