A20217:332
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 Papists themselves do confess, that this star here mentioned, must needs be understood of some Arch-heretic. And full wisely forsooth they apply it to Luther and Calvin. But we affirm, that it is to be understood of the Pope: For was there ever any such Arch-heretic as he? which opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God, 1and against all imperial powers, as the Apostle saith. But now let us proceed to the description of him.
The Papists themselues do cōfesse, that this starre here mentioned, must needs be vnderstood of some Arch-hereticke. And full wisely forsoothe they apply it to Luther and Caluin. But wee affirme, that it is to be vnderstood of the Pope: For was there euer any such Arch-hereticke as he? which opposeth and exalteth himselfe against all that is called God, 1and against all imperiall powers, as the Apostle saith. But now let vs proceed to the description of him.
First, he is said to have the key of the bottomless pit, which agreeth well to the Pope: for he hath power given him to open hell gates, to ⟨p. 104⟩let in thousands thither: but no power to open heaven gates, to let in any thither: for he furthereth many to hell, none to heaven. He doth indeed falsely challenge unto himself the keys of the kingdom of heaven, to let in, and shut out at his pleasure. But here we see the holy Ghost doth attribute no such power unto him, but only telleth us, that his power and jurisdiction is in hell, and over hell, & as for heaven, he hath nothing to do with it. It were needless to show how this metaphor of keys is taken for power and jurisdiction in the scriptures, as hath been proved before, cap. 1. ver. 18. & as needless to prove that by the bottomless pit, is here meant hell, as appeareth, chap. 11.7. chap. 20.1.