And thou wentest to the king with ointment
To the kings of the earth, the singular for the plural, with whom
the whore of Rome has committed fornication or idolatry, in
allusion to harlots, who, in order to render themselves the more
agreeable to their lovers, anointed themselves with ointment:
this may respect the grace of the Spirit of God, which the church
of Rome pretends to give by administration of the sacraments,
which it is said confer grace "ex opere operato"; and the extreme
unction given as a meetness for heaven, in the last moments of
life: and didst increase thy perfumes;
after the manner of harlots, who, to ingratiate themselves with
men, use much perfumes: this may signify the many ways the whore
of Rome takes to make herself regarded by the kings and nations
of the earth; pretending to antiquity, infallibility, power of
working miracles, works of supererogation, primacy and
superiority over all other churches; using great pomp and
splendour in places of worship, and in all religious services:
and didst send thy messengers far off;
not only into neighbouring kingdoms and states, into all the
nations of Europe; but even into the most distant parts of the
world, into both the Indies, in order to make proselytes, spread
the religion of the see of Rome, and increase its power. The
pope's "nuncios" and "legates a latere", may be here pointed at,
as well as the Jesuits his emissaries, sent into all parts to
promote his interest. Jarchi's note is,
``to exact tribute of the kings of the nations;''which has been the business of the pope's legates: and didst debase thyself even unto hell;
``thou hast depressed the strength of the people; or, as some copies, the strong of the people unto hell.''