A20217:470
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.
Moreover, here is set down another effect of this earthquake: which is, that thereby shall be slain in ⟨p. 149⟩number seven thousand, that is, many thousands; for the number of seven is a perfect and universal number, as formerly hath been declared. But the sense of this clause is, that all such as will not yield to the Gospel after matters once come in question, and the light thereof breaketh forth, but continue still in their blindness and hardness, standing out sturdily against the truth, shall feel the heavy judgements of God upon them, and come to miserable and wretched ends, as did here in England Stephen Gardiner, bloody Bonner, and many other such open persecutors in other nations and countries, as the book of Martyrs doth plentifully witness.
Moreouer, here is set downe another effect of this earthquake: which is, that thereby shall be slaine in ⟨p. 149⟩number seuen thousand, that is, many thousands; for the number of seuen is a perfect and vniuersall number, as formerly hath bene declared. But the sense of this clause is, that all such as wil not yeeld to the Gospell after matters once come in question, and the light therof breaketh forth, but continue still in their blindnesse and hardnesse, standing out sturdily against the truth, shall feele the heauie iudgements of God vpon them, and come to miserable and wretched endes, as did here in England Stephen Gardiner, bloudie Bonner, and many other such open persecutors in other nations and countries, as the booke of Martyrs doth plentifully witnesse.
Last of all it is said, that the rest were terrified, & gave glory to the God of heaven: that is, the elect of God seeing these horrible judgements upon the persecutors of the Gospel, and having their eyes opened through these contentions and broils about religion, should repent of their former Idolatries, blindness, and ignorance, should yield to the truth, and give glory to the God of heaven, as at this day we see thousands do, God be thanked. chapter 9 We heard before in the time of the Turks murdering army, when the third part of men were slain, that the rest repented not of their Idolatry. But now (God be praised for it) many do repent every day, and turn from dumb Idols, to serve the living God. And therefore although the times wherein we live, be sinful and troublesome, yet are they golden times and days, in comparison of former ages, wherein Antichrist did reign and rule over all. Moreover, from this place may plainly and strongly be concluded, that the Gospel shall prevail