A20217:329
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.
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: ⟨p. 103⟩and therefore when the 7. Angel here doth blow the 7. trumpet, immediately followeth the last judgement; as appeareth, cap. 10. ver. 6.7. & cap. 11. ver. 15.16.
First, wee are to consider, that the maine drift of the holy Ghost in the opening of the seuen seales, and blowing of the seuen trumpets, is to lay out the state of the church in all ages, till the comming of Christ. Further, wee are diligently to obserue, that the things contained vnder the opening of the seuenth seale (wherof the blowing of the seuen trumpets are as it were parts, and do all belong vnto it) do stretch euen vnto the ende of the worlde; so as there is no straunge accident, or any wofull condition of the Church in any age, but it is set forth vnder the opening of these seales, and blowing of these trumpets. But the Papacie was a state of the Church, and that most wofull and lamentable, therefore it is described vnder the opening of these seales, and blowing of these trumpets. But it is not described vnder the opening of any other seale, or blowing of any other trumpet: therefore of necessitie it must be referred to this seuenth seale, and fift trumpet: And this is my first reason. If any man obiect, that the Pope and his kingdome are most liuely described in the chapters from the 12. to the last: I answere, that all those chapters belong to a new vision, wherin some things propounded vnder the opening of the seuen seales, are more fully opened & expounded. But this I say, that in this 2. vision, the whole estate of the Church in euery age is laid opē, euen vntil the last iudgemēt: