A20217:128
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.
These words (After this) have relation to the first vision spoken of before, as if he should say, after I had received the former vision, concerning the present estate of the Church, now I had an other vision concerning the future estate thereof; and therefore he saith, a door was open in heaven, that he might come in and see all these things which should be revealed unto him. For the opening of the door in heaven doth here signify the unlocking of heavenly things unto John, or his entrance into them: for so the word door is taken. 2. Cor. 3.12. Apoc. 3.8. After the opening of the door, he is called up with a loud voice, like a trumpet, saying: Come up hither. For although the door was opened, yet durst he not enter in till he was called and commanded to come in. For in these cases he doth not presume in any thing as of himself, without special warrant and direction: As the scripture saith: No man taketh this honour unto himself, 1but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. The voice that calleth him, is like a trumpet that is loud and shrill, that he might be stirred up more diligently to attend unto the contemplation of these great secrets which should be revealed unto him. This voice commandeth him to come up hither: which showeth that John was rapt up in the spirit unto the heavens to see this vision. This voice promiseth to show him things which must be done hereafter: that is, that he should be made acquainted with the future estate of the church, as already he was with the present estate thereof.
These words (After this) haue relation to the first vision spoken of before, as if hee should say, after I had receiued the former vision, concerning the present estate of the Church, now I had an other vision concerning the future estate therof; and therfore he saith, a doore was open in heauen, that he might come in and see al these things which should be reuealed vnto him. For the opening of the doore in heauē doth here signifie the vnlocking of heauenly things vnto Iohn, or his entrance into them: for so the word doore is taken. 2. Cor. 3.12. Apoc. 3.8. After the opening of the doore, hee is called vp with a loude voice, like a trumpet, saying: Come vp hither. For although the doore was opened, yet durst hee not enter in till hee was called and commanded to come in. For in these cases he doth not presume in any thing as of himself, without speciall warrant and direction: As the scripture saith: No man taketh this honour vnto himselfe,