l see that they are the source of
the decrees against them, that the church, aided by the edicts of princes,
enacted in the third and fourth Lateran councils."

The head, which was as it were wounded to death, would indicate that under
the government symbolized by that head, the life of the beast had become
apparently extinct. This was the case when the empire was subverted. In
the succession of the previous forms of government, the empire itself was
not in any particular peril. They gave place, each to its successor,
without any subversion of the government. But when the seventh head ceased
to exercise sovereignty, the beast itself was apparently dead. The wound,
however, did not prove mortal. The beast still lived. Its sovereignty was
perpetuated by the decemregal governments; which constituted the eighth
form of government--symbolized by the beast that was, is not, and yet is
again in existence and will continue till the day of perdition, 17:11;
19:20.

They worshipped the dragon and beast, by regarding the latter as a
continuation of the former power, and regarding the sovereign power of
Rome as unparalleled and invincible--as is shown by the questions: "Who is
like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" Those combined
governments were regarded by their subjects with wonder and veneration.
Says Mr. Lord: "The serfs and common people, sunk for ages to the most
degraded vassalage, revered the monarchs, the various ranks of nobles, and
their armed followers, as a superior race, while poets and historians
celebrated their warlike exploits, and philosophers and priests justified
their usurpations, and eulogized the wisdom and benignity of their rule."

The Mouth of the Beast.

"And there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and
revilings; and power was given to him to make war forty-two
months. And he opened his mouth in reviling against God, to revile
his name, and his tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. And
it was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome
them: and power was given him over every tribe, and people, and
tongue, and nation. And all, who dwell on the earth, will worship
him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the slain
Lamb, from the foundation of the world. If any one hath an ear,
let him hear. If any one leadeth into captivity, he will go into
captivity: if any one killeth by the sword, he