Revelation 17:4

arrayed in purple and scarlet colour Protestant interpreters have been fond of applying this description to the robes of Roman bishops and cardinals: and perhaps not altogether unjustly. See Introduction, pp. 57, 58.

decked with gold Lit. gilded with gold: perhaps illustrated by the contemporary picture of the historical imperial harlot, Messalina.

precious stone Lit. stone, used, of course, collectively. See on Revelation 15:6.

a golden cup See Jeremiah 51:7 already quoted. We can hardly say that the cup serves her to drink the blood of saints and martyrs (Revelation 17:6), but it is meant to suggest that she is drunken and invites to drunkenness, as well as to uncleanness.