of this world by what led to the cross, that being the climax of it. When that was departed from, the Church only became the instrument of his power; sin and the world resuming their dominion under her name. This was maintained in active apostasy by the use of a corrupt church, still on the earth as to means; and, when he was cast down from heaven, it could then only be by open war, as we have seen, against Him who came in His royalty to claim His inheritance. I believe it will be found that the early commerce and colonization of the earth were most intimately connected with idolatry; the children of apostate though once rescued Ham. His first act, was casting off or degrading authority as of God; and ere long we find, at the river of Cush,[1] idolatry in practice, and extending even to the Shemitic race, whence Abraham was then called out.
The former state (i.e. confederacy, trading, false religion) is spoken of as a woman:[2] this
- ↑ Of this idolatrous and worldly power, Egypt, Babylon and Tyre (from which last the worldly and apostate character is specially drawn) were the great centres mentioned in Scripture. The last committed fornication with all the kingdoms of the earth: this in connection with her trade, &c.
- ↑ As Babylon, or the great city, Tyre: adulterous Israel and idolatry.
