A20217:327
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.
The Pope is here compared to a star, as well as other godly Ministers in this book, because the Bishops of Rome at the first were godly and excellent men: for amongst the first thirty of them, there were some Martyrs. But it is here said, that now this star was fallen from heaven unto the earth; that is, the Bishops of Rome were greatly degenerated & fallen clean away from heavenly things to earthly: for they declined from time to time, & grew worse and worse, so far as to become the great Antichrist.
The Pope is here compared to a starre, as well as other godly Ministers in this booke, because the Bishops of Rome at the first were godly and excellent men: for amōgst the first thirtie of them, there were some Martyrs. But it is here said, that now this starre was fallen from heauen vnto the earth; that is, the Bishops of Rome were greatly degenerated & fallen cleane away from heauenly things to earthly: for they declined from time to time, & grew worse and worse, so farre as to become the great Antichrist.
But some man may say, why may not this star falling from heaven unto the earth, be understood of other Pastors falling from the truth, as well as the Pope, as it is taken in the former chapter, & in the 12. ⟨p. 102⟩chapter, verse 4. I answer, that the circumstances will not here bear it. Therefore to persuade every honest mans conscience, that this must needs be understood of the Pope in his pride, let us give ear to those three reasons following.
But some man may say, why may not this starre falling frō heauen vnto the earth, be vnderstood of other Pastors falling from the truth, as well as the Pope, as it is taken in the former chapter, & in the 12. ⟨p. 102⟩chapter, verse 4. I answere, that the circumstances will not here beare it. Therefore to perswade euery honest mans conscience, that this must needs be vnderstood of the Pope in his pride, let vs giue eare to those three reasons following.