a head of the Beast, and not a head of the Dragon. Evidently to shew that only that division of the Roman empire was dismembered which ruled over Latium. For the seventh Draconic head ruled over the whole Roman empire, which was not wounded, as it were, to death at the time spoken of. Again, when the Roman monarchy was divided into the eastern and western empires, the western division might very properly be called the Latin empire as Latin was the language which prevailed in it, while the eastern might be called the Greek empire from its prevailing language. Therefore, when it is said that one of the heads of the Beast was wounded, as it were, to death, the meaning will be, that the western division of the Roman empire, or in other words, the Latin empire, was broken to pieces. But the wounded head was healed; consequently, the western empire must be restored. This was effected, as Lord Napeir very properly observes, "by Charlemaign—in whose person and successors, that deadly wound of the empire was healed, and the estat of Emperors renued."* Here is then the western empire restored, the emperor having assumed all the marks of the ancient emperors of the west, with the titles of Semper Augustus, Cæsar, and sacred majesty. †

*See his Commentary on the Revelation, p. 174.

+ The empire of Charlemagne, which may be compared, with regard to its extent, to the ancient western empire, comprised the greatest part of Europe, as it included all Gaul, Germany, Spain as far as the Ebro, Italy, Pannonia, Dalmatia, Croatia, &c.

From what has been said above it is evident that the head-power of the Beast must be the ROMAN empire; for to constitute a complete restoration of the sixth head of the Beast, not only its dominion, but also its name, must be restored. But as the Eastern and Western Empires from the time of Charlemagne were equally known by the name of the Roman empire; which of these constituted the head of the Beast? The words of the prophecy decide this point in the most clear and satisfactory manner. It is that Roman empire which has affixed to it a name of blasphemy; therefore it is not the eastern or Greek empire, which was simply called by the Greeks, The Roman empire; but it is the Roman empire of Germany, which has been most blasphemously named in almost all public instruments, from the thirteenth century, SACRUM Imperium Romanum, The Holy Roman empire. This

extending from west to east from the Ebro to the Elbe and Oder, and from south to north from the duchy of Benevento and the Adriatic sea even to the Eyder which separates the Germans from the Danes. See Koch's Tableau des Revolutions, Tom. I. p. 53; and other historians. With respect to Charle magne's dominions in Italy, Coccinius, in his book, De Bello Maximiliani cum Venetis, Anno 1511, says that "Carolus Magnus postquam Romæ à populo et clero Romano Imperator est nuncupatus, et fœdus cum Græco Imperatori iniit, vt Apulia et Sicilia Græco Imperatori cederent, et reliquum quod esset Italiæ ab vrbe vsque Alpes, Latini Imperatoris esset." Charlemagne, after he was named emperor at Rome by the people and Roman clergy, made a league with the Greek emperor, that Apulia and Sicily should be ceded to the Greek emperor, and that the rest of

is therefore an additional evidence, to what has been already advanced, that the Latin empire, with the Roman empire of Germany at its head, is the Beast of the Apocalypse.

But it is said that the Dragon gave the Beast his power; by which is meant that the revived Western Empire was added to the other powers in the interest of the Latin church, thereby forming one mighty empire. That this was literally the casè will appear from the following brief account of events which led to the restoration of the Roman monarchy in the west: The primitive western empire continued to Augustus Romulus, surnamed Augustulus, who lost it in 476. Odoacer, king of the Heruli, the Goths and Lombards having reduced it, they were in possession of it 300 years. This division of the empire gave rise to that of the Eastern and Western churches; and towards the fifth century, under Honorius and Valentinian III. the Roman empire entirely decayed; and the Barbarians, who had been often repulsed into the countries beyond the Danube and the Rhine, which served, as it were, for the two barriers of the empire, passed those two rivers, and made themselves masters of several Roman provinces. The Cimbri were the first who penetrated through all Germany, and settled themselves on the lands of the Romans; the old Saxons made themselves formi

Italy, which was from the city to the Alps, should be the Latin emperor's. See Rerum Germanic. Scriptores, Tom. II. p. 565. Argentorati, 1767.

dable on both sides of the Elbe, as well as Didier king of the Lombards, and an infinity of other people; so far that Pope Adrian III. in fear of the church, whose countries were over-run by the Barbarians, implored the succour of Charlemagne, king of France, who, after many victories over the enemies of the church, obliged them for the most part to be Christians, and dispersed them. In acknowledgment of so great a service Pope Leo III. anointed and crowned Charlemagne emperor of the west, at Rome, by the consent of Nicephorus emperor of the east.-This coronation took place on Christmas-day, 800." pears the Dragon + gave his

mies, or military strength,

Thus it evidently appower, dúvauv, his arto the Beast; that is,

* See M. Menin's Coronation of the kings of France, pp. 178, 179. Lond. 1775.

+ The revived western empire being here designated the Dragon, is an additional evidence to what has been already advanced, that the three Heathen forms of government which ruled over Latium are reckoned heads of the Beast.

That Charlemagne pledged himself to support the Roman Catholic faith with all his might is plainly visible in the following oath which he took at the time of his coronation in 800: “ In nomine Christi spondeo atque polliceor ego Carolus Imperator coram Deo et beato Petro Apostolo me Protectorem et Defensorem fore hujus Sanctæ Romanæ ecclesiæ in omnibus utilitatibus, quatenus divino fultus fuero adjutorio, prout sciero poteroque." In the name of Christ I promise and purpose that I Charles, emperor, before God and the blessed apostle Peter, will be the protector and defender of this Holy Roman church in all necessary cases as far as I shall be assisted by Divine aid, and to the best of my knowledge and ability. See Dumont's Corps Diplomatique, Tom. I. in principio.

he gave his strength in support of the Latin empire. He also gave his seat, góvov, (literally, his throne,) to him; that is, his whole empire formed an integral part of the Latin empire by its conversion to the Roman Catholic faith. He also gave him great authority. This is literally true of the Roman empire of Germany, which, by its great power and influence in the policies of Europe, extended the religion of the empire over the various states and monarchies of Europe, thus incorporating them as it were in one vast empire, by uniting them in one common faith. 66 And all the world (any, all the earth,) wondered after the beast." As the original word signifies earth, and not world, as in our translation, the Latin world, which is the earth of the Beast, is here intended; and the meaning of the passage consequently is, that the whole body of the Roman Catholics were affected with great astonishment at the rapidly-increasing and mighty sway of the Latin empire considering it as a great and holy power.

"

"And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" Worshipping the Dragon here evidently means the voluntary subjection of the members of the Latin church to the revived western empire because of the eminent part it has taken in the support of their faith. The empire of Germany was also worshipped by the epithet sacrum, sacred, being applied to it.