A20217:301
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. 7 So the first Angel blew the Trumpet, and there was hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast into the earth, and the third part of trees was burnt, and all green grass was burnt.
vers. 7 So the first Angell blew the Trompet, and there was haile and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast into the earth, and the third part of trees was burnt, and all greene grasse was burnt.
It were absurd to imagine that any thing in this Verse is to be taken literally: seeing in the literal sense there was never any such matter. Therefore of necessity it must be expounded mystically, and allegorically: therefore by this hail and fire mingled with blood, is meant errors and heresies. For as hail doth beat down corn, and destroy the fruits of the earth, fire doth consume, and blood doth corrupt and putrefy: So false doctrine and heresy doth annoy, consume, and corrupt the souls of men. For it is said, that all these being mingled together were cast upon the earth: that is, the inhabitants of the earth,1 and the third part of the trees, that is,2 numbers of men, or a very great part of the world was corrupted. For trees in the scripture, signify men,3 and all green grass was burnt: that is, the fresh fruits of grace did wither apace and dry up: for as error and heresy did prevail, so truth ⟨p. 95⟩and godliness did decay. All this hath relation to the heresies of Sabellius, Manicheus, Marcion, Fotinus, Paulus Samosatenus, Nestorius, Novatus, Diodorus, Apollinaris, Pelagius, and many others, which about this time, which was four hundred years after Christ, began to spring up and grow apace.
It were absurd to imagine that any thing in this Verse is to bee taken literally: seeing in the literall sense there was neuer any such matter. Therefore of necessitie it must be expounded mystically, and allegorically: therefore by this haile and fire mingled with blood, is meant errours and heresies. For as haile doth beate downe corne, and destroy the fruits of the earth, fire doth consume, and blood doth corrupt and putrifie: So false doctrine and heresie doth annoy, consume, and corrupt the soules of men. For it is saide, that all these being mingled together were cast vpon the earth: that is, the inhabitants of the earth,