cause the Church thereby sunk in the world, is nothing to the purpose: for my own part, I admit it in the fullest manner possible, though I am sure all was wisely ordered. But as the setting up the supreme power in Nebuchadnezzar, and his speedy connection of it with enforced idolatry, was very important in the Divine Government in the world, (power coming from God—though Israel was, or might not be, in question in this last act), so the entire relinquishment of idolatry by the governing power (for whatever man does, God looks to the conduct of the governing power) was a fact of great importance in the history of God’s government of the world. It was setting aside Satan’s direct throne in the world; for the existence of power in the Gentiles is not Satan’s direct throne, it was transferred to them by God—it is its use and character in sinful man that makes it Satan’s. This may be merely by passions, or it may be by the direct worship of Satan and his angels, or by open blasphemy against God. The second of these is, the open heavenly rule of Satan, looked at in providence: and this went on in Gentile idolatry. He may recover it secretly by what is called the Church: but the thing itself never was restored. This appears to me a very plain and important distinction
