still in rebellion:—­“They repented not.”—­Hence it is apparent that the work of these symbolic angels consists in opposing the antichristian systems of organized society during the period of the fifth and sixth trumpets.  This they do partly by declaring the truth as it is in Jesus, and partly by denouncing divine judgments on the impenitent.  The first angel, by proclaiming the “everlasting gospel,” called upon men to “fear God and give glory to him,” and not to idols,—­threatening “coming judgment.”  The great majority of those addressed, however, disregarding alike his loving instructions and faithful warnings, must hear from the second angel that the judgment threatened by his predecessor, is now imminent:—­“Babylon is fallen,” etc.  Notwithstanding the faithful and earnest contendings of the Waldenses, Bohemians and others on the continent of Europe, seconded by the Lollards in England, so far were the votaries of Antichrist from repenting of their idolatry and profligacy, that they became more and more exasperated against those witnesses who tormented them, and attempted to silence their testimony by committing their leaders to the flames.  Hence the second angel’s ministry consists more in denouncing judgment than in offering mercy to the penitent; and the history of the struggles in Europe and the British Isles between Christ’s witnesses and the Roman Antichrist in the 16th and 17th centuries, demonstrates the awful fact that they, with great and wonderful unanimity, judged the church of Rome at least, utterly irreclaimable.  Of this united judgment the Confessions of those reformers are at this day a standing evidence.  But chief among the churches and nations of Christendom stands Scotland, as well before as after her appearance, by her famous Commissioners, in the Westminster Assembly of Divines.  In her full and free Assembly, and by her national representatives, sustained by all their pious constituency, she uttered those memorable words,—­“We abhor and detest ... chiefly all kind of Papistry in general and particular heads, even as they are damned (condemned) and confuted by the word of God and Kirk of Scotland.”  Perhaps this is the only instance hitherto within the 1260 years, where a whole church and nation, under the awful sanction of a solemn oath, has pronounced a judicial sentence of condemnation upon the church of Rome.  Thus with confidence did those noble witnesses pronounce the anticipated doom of the mystic Babylon.  But alas! may we not adopt and apply now (1870,) the language of the weeping prophet?—­“How is she become a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces!”