Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), who believed that "all legitimate political power must be "representative" and based on the consent of the people", stated also that "The Papacy is no other than the ghost of the deceased Roman Empire, sitting crowned upon the grave thereof".
And out of one of them came forth a little horn,
which waxed exceeding great,
toward the south,
and toward the east,
and toward the pleasant land.
Daniel 8:9