A20217:104
The ruin of RomeThe ruine of Rome
The ruin of Rome: or An exposition upon the whole Revelation Wherein is plainly showed and proved, that the popish religion, together with all the power and authority of Rome, shall ebb and decay still more and more throughout all the churches of Europe, and come to an utter overthrow even in this life before the end of the world. Written especially for the comfort of Protestants, and the daunting of papists, seminary priests, Jesuits, and all that cursed rabble. Published by Arthur Dent, preacher of the word of God at South-Shoobery in Essex.The ruine of Rome: or An exposition vpon the whole Reuelation Wherein is plainly shewed and proued, that the popish religion, together with all the power and authoritie of Rome, shall ebbe and decay still more and more throughout all the churches of Europe, and come to an vtter ouerthrow euen in this life before the end of the world. Written especially for the comfort of Protestants, and the daunting of papists, seminary priests, Iesuites, and all that cursed rabble. Published by Arthur Dent, preacher of the word of God at South-Shoobery in Essex.
London: printed by T. Creede for Simon Waterson and Cuthbert Burby, 1603London: printed by T. Creede for Simon Waterson and Cutbert Burby, 1603
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
If any man demand a reason why all these Epistles are specially sent and directed to the Angels or Pastors of the Churches, seeing John before, chap. 1. verse. 11. is commanded to write them to the Churches of Asia, I answer, that he writing to the Pastors, excludeth not the Churches, but in them, or under them, he writeth to the whole Churches, as it plainly appeareth in the conclusion of every Epistle, when he saith: Let him that hath an ear, hear what the spirit saith to the Churches. Then that which is spoken to the Angel of the Church, is spoken to the Church. The reason why the speech is specially directed to the Pastor of every church, is, because the good or bad estate of the church, for the most part, dependeth upon the Minister. For commonly we see it cometh to pass; Such a Pastor, such people: Such a shepherd, such sheep: Such a builder, such building: Such a husbandman, such husbandry.1 And as the Prophet saith: Like Priest, like people. For we may observe in all these Epistles, that where the Minister is commended, the people are commended; and where the Minister is discommended, the ⟨p. 29⟩people are discommended also. So that they stand and fall, sink and swim together.
If any man demaund a reason why all these Epistles are specially sent and directed to the Angels or Pastors of the Churches, seeing Iohn before, chap. 1. verse. 11. is commanded to write them to the Churches of Asia, I answer, that he writing to the Pastors, excludeth not the Churches, but in them, or vnder them, he writeth to the whole Churches, as it plainely appeareth in the conclusion of euery Epistle, when hee saith: Let him that hath an eare, heare what the spirit saith to the Churches. Then that which is spoken to the Angell of the Church, is spoken to the Church. The reason why the speech is specially directed to the Pastor of euery church, is, because the good or bad estate of the church, for the most part, dependeth vpon the Minister. For commonly we see it commeth to passe; Such a Pastor, such people: Such a shepheard, such sheepe: Such a builder, such building: Such a husbandman, such husbandrie.1 And as the Prophet saith: Like Priest, like people. For we may obserue in all these Epistles, that where the Minister is commended, the people are cōmended; and where the Minister is discommended, the