A20217:33
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.
Now followeth the second circumstance, which is the time when John received this Prophecy, which is noted to be upon a Lords day.1 It is the day which S. 2Paul to the Corinthians calleth the first day of the week: in which the Churches did meet for the holy exercises in religion: which is also evident, because he saith they came together to break bread. Now the observation of a seventh day is of divine institution,3 even from the beginning. It is natural, moral, and perpetual: for God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it. We are therefore to think, that although John now in his exile was absent in body from the church assemblies, yet he was present with them in spirit, commending them most earnestly unto God in his holy prayers, and meditations: and therefore it is said, that he was ravished in the spirit upon the Lords day. So we read, that the like befell unto Daniel, 4when he was prisoner in Babylon: the like also unto Ezekiel, who was taken by the spirit in the visions of God, and carried to Jerusalem: The like to Peter, 5the like to Paul. But the special reason of Johns ravishment in the spirit at this time was, that thereby he might be made more fit and capable to receive and understand all those great mysteries and heavenly visions, which now should be showed unto ⟨p. 5⟩him. And withal, let us observe, that all men are always most capable of heavenly things, when they are most in the spirit: for God doth evermore most reveal himself to such as are most in prayer, reading, and meditation; and to such as make greatest conscience to spend his Sabbaths Christianly, and religiously, according to his great commandment. And let us always be sure of this, that the more fervent & zealous we are in religious duties, the more familiar acquaintance we shall find with God, and he will at all times be the more open-hearted unto us, and will hide nothing from us that may be for his glory, and our good. For such as are much in heavenly contemplation, he doth reckon not amongst his servants, but amongst his dearest friends;