A20217:163
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.
vers. 2 And I saw a strong Angel, which proclaimed with a loud voice; Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
vers. 2 And I sawe a strong Angell, which proclaimed with a loude voice; Who is worthy to open the booke, and to loose the seales thereof?
Here is proclamation made to all creatures, that if there were any manner of persons in heaven or earth, among men or Angels, that would take upon them to open and expound this book, that they should come forth and show themselves, and be very willingly and gladly heard. But alas, the next verse doth show, vers. 3 that none in heaven or earth was able to open the book and expound it, whereupon John wept very much, vers. 4 because no man was found worthy to open and interpret this book.
Here is proclamation made to all creatures, that if there were any manner of persons in heauen or earth, among men or Angels, that would take vpon them to open and expound this booke, that they should come forth and shewe themselues, and bee very willingly and gladly heard. But alas, the next verse doth shewe, vers. 3 that none in heauen or earth was able to open the booke and expound it, wherevpon Iohn wept very much, vers. 4 because no man was found worthy to open and interpret this booke.
The cause of Johns weeping and lamenting, was for fear the Church should be deprived of such profitable and excellent things as he knew were contained in this book. Such was his love to the Church: such was his zeal and care for the people of God. An example worthy of all imitation, to mourn and weep for the concealing of the book of God, and to rejoice in the opening of it. But Papists ⟨p. 51⟩