A20217:222
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.
Here is discovered the state of the Martyrs after this life, and the condition of the spirits of all just and perfect men. For whereas it might be demanded, what became of all those heaps and multitudes of men which were slain for the testimony of Jesus in the ten great persecutions: it is here answered, that they were under the Altar. John in a Vision seeth them under the Altar. That is, under the merciful protection of Christ in heaven, who for them and for us all, was made both Altar, Priest, and Sacrifice. This Altar Christ, is afterward called the golden Altar, which is before the throne of God. chapter 8.3. So then it is clear, that the souls of the Martyrs were with Christ in glory. For he saith to his disciples: Where I am, there shall you be also.1
Heere is discouered the state of the Martyrs after this life, and the condition of the spirits of all iust and perfect men. For whereas it might bee demaunded, what became of all those heapes and multitudes of men which were slaine for the testimonie of Iesus in the tenne great persecutions: it is here answered, that they were vnder the Aultar. Iohn in a Vision seeth them vnder the Aultar. That is, vnder the mercifull protection of Christ in heauen, who for them and for vs all, was made both Aultar, Priest, and Sacrifice. This Aultar Christ, is afterward called the golden Aultar, which is before the throne of God. chapter 8.3. So then it is cleare, that the soules of the Martyrs were with Christ in glory. For hee saith to his disciples: Where I am, there shall you be also.1
And in an other place he saith: If I were lift up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me, that is, 1