A20217:370
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.
Here is the description of these horsemen and horses, as they appeared to John in a vision. First, touching the horsemen, it is said that they were very well armed with Habergeons; that is, coats of Mail, Corselets, or Curets, and that of a fiery colour, and of the colour of Jacinth; that is, of smoke, as appeareth in ⟨p. 117⟩the last clause of this verse, and also of the colour of Brimstone. For as horsemen in complete armour were wont to wear in their breast-plates and targets certain ensigns and colours, whereby they might be made terrible to their enemies: So these Turkish warriors and horsemen do hold out their colours of fire, smoke, and brimstone, as it were flags of defiance against the whole world, threatening present death to all that should withstand them; or as if they meant to spit fire and flame▪ them, or to choke them with smoke and brimstone, & then burn them up with fire & brimstone. All this their colours and ensigns in their breast-plates and Habergeons did portend. Now, as concerning their horses, no doubt they were as fierce as the horsemen. They were great Lances, they had heads like Lyons; that is, they were full of stomach & fierceness, and out of their mouths went forth fire, & smoke, and brimstone; that is, they had the same colours and ensigns upon them that their riders had.
Heere is the description of these horsemen and horses, as they appeared to Iohn in a vision. First, touching the horsemen, it is saide that they were very well armed with Habbergions; that is, coates of Maile, Corselets, or Curets, and that of a fiery colour, and of the colour of Iacinth; that is, of smoake, as appeareth in ⟨p. 117⟩the last clause of this verse, and also of the colour of Brimstone. For as horsemen in compleate armour were wont to weare in their breast-plates and targets certaine ensignes and colours, whereby they might be made terrible to their enemies: So these Turkish warriours and horsemen do holde out their colours of fire, smoake, and brimstone, as it were flagges of defiance against the whole world, threatning present death to al that should withstand them; or as if they meant to spet fire and flame▪ them, or to choake them with smoake and brimstone, & then burne them vp with fire & brimstone. All this their colours and ensignes in their breast-plates and Habbergions did portend. Now, as concerning their horses, no doubt they were as fierce as the horsmen. They were great Launces, they had heads like Lyons; that is, they were full of stomack & fiercenes, and out of their mouthes went forth fire, & smoake, and brimstone; that is, they had the same colours and ensignes vpon them that their riders had.