A20217:17
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 it be an uncovering, and revealing of things, then no doubt it may be known and seen into. For revealed things are for us and our children.1 If it be a Revelation, how say some that it cannot be understood? For, it is contrary to the nature of a Revelation, to be so dark that none can understand it. But shall we say that the holy Ghost which is the spirit of truth, hath given a wrong name unto it? God forbid. For if it hide matters, or so set them forth that it cannot be understood, then it is not rightly called a Revelation. If this book be so mystical that it cannot be understood: If the interpretation of it be uncertain: If the common people cannot be taught to understand it: how then should the holy Ghost say, Blessed is he that readeth the words of this Prophecy?2 &c. Let any man judge that hath common sense: Can any man be blessed by hearing and reading those things which he understandeth not? I trow no. Then it followeth, that this book may be understood, and no doubt is understood of many: and might be better understood of many moe, if they would bend their wits and studies unto it. The holy Ghost as I said before,3 willeth and commandeth that the words of this Prophecy should not be sealed up. Whereby it is evident, that he would have them read and made known to all. Then I reason thus: That which is open and unsealed, may be read and known: But this book is open and unsealed: Therefore it may be read and known. If men say the matters of this Prophecy are sealed and hid, and God say they be unsealed and open, whether shall we believe men or God? If any shall reply & say, we feel & find by experience, that the words of this book are hard to be understood: I answer, that the fault is in our selves, because we are so negligent in the search and study thereof. For if we did with that humility, and reverend care that ought to be in us, search after the things revealed in this book, we should find that they be not sealed up, but lie open to be read and known. True it is indeed, that if any man light upon some piece, and take it by it self, he shall find it very dark:
if it be an vncouering, and reuealing of things, then no doubt it may be knowne and seene into. For reuealed thinges are for vs and our children.1