A20217:113
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.
But yet notwithstanding this church is found fault withal for some few things, that is, two gross faults: the one for suffering the doctrine of Balaam to be broached there by the instruments of Satan: the other, that they maintained the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. The doctrine of Balaam did uphold the lawfulness of eating things sacrificed to Idols,1 & of committing fornication: for he taught Balac the King of Moab, thus to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel. The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes did uphold the common use of women, that is, that women might be made common. These two most gross and absurd doctrines, were suffered and maintained in the church of Pergamus.
But yet notwithstāding this church is found fault withal for some few things, that is, two grosse faults: the one for suffering the doctrine of Balaam to be broached there by the instruments of Sathan: the other, that they maintained the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. The doctrine of Balaam did vphold the lawfulnes of eating things sacrificed to Idols,1 & of committing fornication: for he taught Balac the King of Moab, thus to put a stumbling blocke before the children of Israel. The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes did vphold the common vse of women, that is, that women might be made common. These two most grosse and absurd doctrines, were suffred and maintained in the church of Pergamus.
1As concerning the church of Thyatira, they are greatly commended for the love and service to the church, for their faith, patience, & manifold works, and especially for their constant proceeding in religion and godliness, and that with increase. For of this church it is said; I know thy love, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works, and that they are moe at the last then at the first. But this church is discommended for suffering the wicked woman Jezebel, (that is, a false Prophetess, which was craftily crept into this church) to teach & seduce the people of God in that congregation, teaching the same false doctrine that Balaam did at Pergamus: