The apostle James, while reproving the twelve tribes, which were scattered abroad, for their wars and fightings and friendship to the world, styles them adulterers and adulteresses. In direct opposition to this representation, the first fruits of the church are styled virgins, as not being defiled with women. "These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from amongst men, being the firstfruits unto God and the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." As virgins are pure and undefiled, so were the disciples of Christ in the first age of the church when they had no impure intercourse with the kingdoms of this world and followed the Lamb in refusing to engage either in its profits, honors, or fightings. They are, therefore, called virgins, without fault, in opposition to those who mingle with the world, who are spiritually styled harlots. It evidently appears, if what has been said is true, that mystical Babylon, that mother of harlots and abominations of the earth, is just as extensive as the union of the church with the kingdoms of this world; and just in that proportion in which an individual Christian, or a single church, or a number of churches united in one body, engage in the honors, profits, and fightings of the kingdoms of this world, just in that proportion they may be said to be guilty of spiritual whoredom. The writer is well aware that this inference, however just, will be looked upon with contempt by worldly political Christians whose dearest interest is involved in the kingdoms of this world, and especially by those who are clothed in purple and scarlet and have a golden cup in their hands. He has no expectation of being candidly heard by such, but it is God's own dear children who have ignorantly mingled with the world, having been blinded by their education, from whom he expects a candid hearing. "If any man have ears to hear, let him hear." It is not common for a lewd woman openly to avow to the world her character; neither can it be expected that the mother of harlots will own her name. The writer is of opinion that very few have understood the full dimensions of this mystical city; she appears to him in her greatest extent to be bounded but little short of the whole visible church of God. She is styled "the _great City_, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified." "And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints and of all that were slain upon the earth." But a dreadful judgment awaits her: "She shall utterly be burnt with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judges her." Being mingled with the nations and supported by their power, when they become like stubble before the devouring fire, she will be consumed with them. The whore is represented as riding upon a scarlet-colored beast, and upheld by him.[12]