A20217:464
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.
Notwithstanding the rage and savage fury of the Pope & his followers; yet here is showed, that they could not prevail as they desired: for within three days & a half, that is, when the date of Antichrists reign was expired, and the time come that Popery must be disclosed by the light of the Gospel breaking forth; there followeth a great alteration. For these two Prophets or witnesses are raised up again. For he saith, the spirit of life which came from God, shall enter into them, and they shall stand upon their feet.
Notwithstanding the rage and sauage fury of the Pope & his followers; yet heere is shewed, that they could not preuaile as they desired: for within three daies & a halfe, that is, when the date of Antichrists raigne was expired, and the time come that Popery must be disclosed by the light of the Gospell breaking forth; there followeth a great alteration. For these two Prophets or witnesses are raised vp again. For he saith, the spirit of life which came from God, shall enter into them, and they shall stand vpon their feete.
This may seem somewhat strange; but it is not to be understood that they should be raised up bodily in their persons till the last resurrection: but that God would raise up others endued with the same spirit, which should mightily defend both the doctrine, cause and quarrel, which their predecessors had maintained, and sealed with their blood; in whom they should after a sort revive & live again, even as Elijah did revive, and as it were live again in John Baptist; who is said to be endued with the power and spirit of Elijah, as it was foretold by the Prophet, and as our Saviour himself doth avouch.1 Now blessed be God, that we live in these days wherein we see with our eyes all these things fulfilled. For when the Pope & his Clergy had murdered Gerhardus, Dulcimus Navarensis, Waldus, Nicolaus Orem, John Picus, John Zisca, Visilus Groningensis, Armerius, Wycliffe, Huss, Jerome of Prague, and many Preachers in Suevia, and one hundred holy Christians in the country of Alsatia, and many others in all countries, and of all conditions of men: yet for all that ⟨p. 146⟩