"Are not these great and striking evidences that the destruction of Lisbon was foretold? And also all the holy fathers of the Church agree, that when Babylon was spoken of, some other city was meant, supposing it to refer to the destruction and burning of Rome; but now it is confessed by all, that St. John spoke not of Rome, but of Lisbon. Does he not speak of a city built on seven hills, great, flourishing, and powerful, and does not Lisbon stand on seven hills? I ought rather to say, did stand; and was she not one of the first cities in the world? And can there yet be a soul so incredulous, that he should persevere in declaring that this horrible calamity was chance, and not design?--was an impulse of nature, and not a Divine sentence? "Yes, alas! some are so hardened as still to doubt; for that was also foretold: `Ingravatum est cor Pharaonis: induratum est cor Pharaonis.' (Exod. vii.) "Many are the hearts like Pharaoh's, and many are the warnings they have received like him. Say, when the earth shook some years ago, did you then repent?--No. When it shook a second time?--No. And a third time?--No. Will you repent this time?--No. `Induratum est cor Pharaonis;' for `Dixit insipiens in corde suo: non est Deus.'" He then clearly proved that "Mulierem sedentem super bestiam coccineam, habens poculum aureum in manu sua, plenum abominatione," etc. was a description of Lisbon, filled with people of all nations, addicted to all manner of abominations, particularly with Jews and heretics of all sorts. (We have heard rather a different interpretation given elsewhere.) "And yet some will not believe," he continued. "Well may I say of you, with Jeremiah, `Ostulti et tarde corde ad credendum!'" As he proceeded, a bright rainbow was seen hanging over the ruined city. "See, see! a portend! a portend!" he cried. "If you will repent, if you will no longer live in sin, you will be forgiven. `Arcum meum ponam in nubibus, et erit signum faederis inter me, et inter terram.' "The same sign that God gave to Noah has He now given to us, to assure us that the earthquake will cease. `Et Iris erat in circuitu sedis' (Apocalypse, iv.) But Iris is, it can be clearly shown, as Saint Eupremio and Saint Antonio call her, the holy Mother of God, who has sent the glory which surrounds her head to show us that His anger has ceased; and, as Saint Bernardo says of her, `Sicut Iris, Virgo scilicet benedicta, in circuitu Ecclesiae constituitur.' "Oh, pure Virgin! who standest ever before the throne of your Son, with hands uplifted, seeking mercy for our sins, hear our prayers, and speak these words in our favour which Moses spoke for the Israelites. `Quiescat ira tua, et esto placabilis super nequitia populi tui;' for if the Lord listened to his words, how much more will he to those of the Mother of God! and then let us hear those joyful words; `Placatus est Dominus ne faceret malam quod locutus fuerat adversus populum suum.'"