A20217:13
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.
It showeth justly and precisely what the Church hath suffered since the Apostles times in several ages, and what it shall suffer: and also how all the enemies thereof shall shortly be trodden under foot. What can be more joyful or comfortable to all the people of God, then to know afore-hand that Babylon shall fall: Rome shall down: Antichrist the great persecutor of the Church, shall be utterly confounded and consumed in this world; notwithstanding all plots and policies, crafts and devises to the contrary; notwithstanding all forces & armies cunningly contrived and raised up against the Church by Seminary Priests, Jesuits, Pope, Cardinal, and King of Spain? For all these in this age do very busily bestir them, and ransack all corners of their wits to repair the ruins of Rome, and to make up the breaches which are made in the walls of Babylon their great city. But alas all in vain, for it shall fall: It shall fall: It shall fall as Dagon before the presence of the Ark, do what they can, spite of their hearts, maugre their beards: it shall fall finally: it shall without all hope of recovery: for hath the Lord spoken it, and shall it not come to pass? or can any word of his ever fall to the ground? Sith therefore the Jesuits and Secular Priests do so fisk about, and croak in every corner, as greatly fearing the fall of their Babylon, and the drying up of their Euphrates, it stands us all in hand to be as resolute for Christ, as they are for Antichrist; and as studious to uphold the kingdom of God, as they are to uphold the kingdom of the devil. And for this purpose it is very requisite and necessary, that all the Lords people should be acquainted with this book, and armed against them with the things revealed in this Prophecy. For this book is a most precious Jewell ⟨image 4⟩which God hath bestowed upon his Church in this last age: and it is great pity that all the servants of God are not better acquainted with it, especially in these times, for now in this age is and shall be the very heat of the war, and brunt of the battle betwixt Papists and Protestants; betwixt God and Belial; betwixt the armies of Christ, and the armies of Antichrist. Now this Prophecy layeth all open, and plainly telleth us what shall be the issue and success in the day of battle: which side shall have the victory, and which side shall go down.
It sheweth iustly and precisely what the Church hath suffered since the Apostles times in seueral ages, and what it shall suffer: and also how all the enemies thereof shall shortly be troden vnder foote. What can be more ioyfull or comfortable to all the people of God, then to know afore-hand that Babylon shall fall: Rome shall downe: Antichrist the great persecutor of the Church, shalbe vtterly confounded and consumed in this world; notwithstanding all plottes and policies, crafts and deuises to the contrary; notwithstanding all forces & armies cunningly contriued and raised vp against the Church by Seminary Priests, Iesuites, Pope, Cardinall, and King of Spaine? For all these in this age do very busily bestirre them, and ransacke all corners of their wits to repaire the ruines of Rome, and to make vp the breaches which are made in the walles of Babylon their great citie. But alas all in vaine, for it shall fall: It shal fall: It shal fall as Dagon before the presence of the Arke, do what they can, spight of their hearts, maugre their beards: it shall fall finally: it shall without all hope of recouery: for hath the Lord spoken it, and shall it not come to passe? or can any word of his euer fall to the ground? Sith therefore the Iesuits and Secular Priests do so fiske about, and croake in euery corner, as greatly fearing the fall of their Babylon, and the drying vp of their Euphrates, it standes vs all in hand to be as resolute for Christ, as they are for Antichrist; and as studious to vphold the kingdome of God, as they are to vphold the kingdome of the diuel. And for this purpose it is very requisite and necessary, that all the Lords people should be acquainted with this booke, and armed against them with the things reueald in this Prophesie. For this booke is a most precious Iewell