A20217:328
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.
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.
First, we are to consider, that the main drift of the holy Ghost in the opening of the seven seals, and blowing of the seven trumpets, is to lay out the state of the church in all ages, till the coming of Christ. Further, we are diligently to observe, that the things contained under the opening of the seventh seal (whereof the blowing of the seven trumpets are as it were parts, and do all belong unto it) do stretch even unto the end of the world; so as there is no strange accident, or any woeful condition of the Church in any age, but it is set forth under the opening of these seals, and blowing of these trumpets. But the Papacy was a state of the Church, and that most woeful and lamentable, therefore it is described under the opening of these seals, and blowing of these trumpets. But it is not described under the opening of any other seal, or blowing of any other trumpet: therefore of necessity it must be referred to this seventh seal, and fifth trumpet: And this is my first reason. If any man object, that the Pope and his kingdom are most lively described in the chapters from the 12. to the last: I answer, that all those chapters belong to a new vision, wherein some things propounded under the opening of the seven seals, are more fully opened & expounded. But this I say, that in this 2. vision, the whole estate of the Church in every age is laid open, even until the last judgement: