And there are seven kings; the seven heads do not only signify seven hills or mountains, but also seven kings, that is, (according to the best interpretation I meet with), seven forms of government which ruled Rome; the term kings, it Scripture, signifying rulers, whether the government was in single persons, or more, as Deuteronomy 33:5. Rome was governed:
1. By kings.
2. By consuls.
3. Tribunes.
4. Decemvirs.
5. Dictators.
6. Emperors that were pagans.
7. Emperors that were Christians. Five are fallen; five of these were fallen, extinguishied before John's time, viz. the government by kings, consuls, tribunes, decemvirs, dictators. And one is; the government by pagan emperors was at that time in being. And the other is not yet come; the government by Christian emperors was not yet in being. And when he cometh, he must continue a short space; and when it came, it held but a little time before the bishops of Rome wrested the government of Italy out of their hands. This to me seemeth the most probable interpretation of this difficult text.