A20217:389
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.
It is called little, in respect of the great and huge volumes of Popish books, though in it self it be large.
It is called little, in respect of the great and huge volumes of Popish bookes, though in it selfe it bee large.
It is said to be open, that all men might look into it, because it had been shut a long time before, even during all the time of the darkening of the Sun and the Air, by the smoke which came out of the bottomless pit. But although it was long shut up in the time of Popery, and lay buried in a strange tongue: yet now it is opened, and publicly preached unto all the servants of God. And all this ⟨p. 124⟩no doubt is to be understood of Luther's time, and all the times ever since the Gospel was spread abroad after the great darkness. For some hundred years ago it was hard to find an English Bible: but now God be thanked, there are thousands to be found in the hands of Gods people. And therefore the things here prophesied of, are fulfilled in our days: for we live under the opening of the seventh seal, and the blowing of the sixth trumpet, and the pouring forth of the sixth vial, as here doth partly appear, and shall God willing, be made more manifest when we come to the 16. chapter. Now we are diligently to observe, that as the opening of this book, & the preaching of the Gospel by Luther & his successors, hath dispersed the former darkness, and beaten down Popery: so also hath it driven back the Turk, and taken from us all fear of him, which in former ages, was the terror of the world: for since men have looked into this book, repented of their Idolatry, and turned unto God with all their hearts.
It is saide to bee open, that all men might looke into it, because it had bene shut a long time before, euen during all the time of the darkening of the Sun and the Ayre, by the smoake which came out of the bottomlesse pit. But although it was long shut vp in the time of Poperie, and lay buried in a straunge tongue: yet now it is opened, and publikely preached vnto all the seruants of God. And all this