Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth
The inhabitants of it, and the fruits upon it, alluding to the earth being cursed for the sin of man, when it brought forth briers and thorns; this may denote the seven vials of God's wrath poured upon the earth, or the antichristian states. Some, by the curse, understand perjury or false swearing; so the Targum,
``therefore, because of perjury (or a false oath) the earth is become a desert;''of which popes, and Popish princes, cardinals, priests, Jesuits have been notoriously guilty: and they that dwell therein are desolate: