A20217:426
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 a reason added why the Lord God refuseth all Papists and hypocrites, and all such as belong to the outward court only, and it is this: that this outward court is given unto the Gentiles; that is, to all false Christians and counterfeits in Religion, which are members of the visible Church, but have nothing to do with the invisible. These are compared to Gentiles in two respects. First, in regard of profaneness, for they are as profane as the Heathen. Secondly, in respect of persecuting the truth: for hypocrites and Atheists are as forward in persecuting the people of God as the Heathen Emperors, which persecuted the Church by the space of 300. years. All comes to this, that when the Church should be gathered and built by the Preaching of the Gospel, God would have all Papists, Atheists, and hypocrites shut out.
Here is a reason added why the Lord God refuseth all Papists and hypocrites, and all such as belong to the outward court onely, and it is this: that this outward court is giuen vnto the Gentiles; that is, to all false Christians and counterfaits in Religion, which are members of the visible Church, but haue nothing to do with the inuisible. These are compared to Gentiles in two respects. First, in regard of prophanesse, for they are as prophane as the Heathen. Secondly, in respect of persecuting the truth: for hypocrites and Atheists are as forward in persecuting the people of God as the Heathen Emperours, which persecuted the Church by the space of 300. yeares. All comes to this, that when the Church should bee gathered and built by the Preaching of the Gospell, God would haue all Papists, Atheists, and hypocrites shut out.
Moreover, here is the second reason yielded, why the outward court should be cast out, and not measured: to wit, because they should tread the holy City under foot, forty and two months: That is, they should persecute the Church all the time of Antichrists reign. For forty two months in this verse: and 1260. days in the next verse, and three days and a half verse 9. and time; times, and half a time, in the 12. Chapter, verse 14. and 1260 days, Chapter 12. verse 6. do signify all one thing, which is, the short reign of Antichrist: for these months, these days, and these times, do every one of them make three years, and a half. For who knoweth not that 42. months make just three years, and an half, and that 1260. days, maketh even so much also: and by time he meaneth a year, by times, two year, and by half a time, half a year. Now the reason, why Antichrists reign is numbered by days, months, and half times, & all amounting but to three years and a half, is to note the short continuance thereof,