A20217:512
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.
ver. 4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood ⟨p. 155⟩before the woman, which was ready to be delivered.
ver. 4 And his taile drew the third part of the starres of heauen, and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood ⟨p. 155⟩before the woman, which was ready to be deliuered.
Now we are come to the description of the Churches great & capital enemy, which is the devil: who because he studieth and laboureth continually to impeach the good estate of the Church in heavenly things, to deject her from her dignity, and dispossess her of her inheritance, therefore here in vision he is said to appear in heaven. For he meddleth with the Church, in and about heavenly things, practising to pull her out of heaven, from whence she came, and whither she must return, even to cast her into hell, and condemnation with himself, if it were possible.
Now we are come to the description of the Churches great & capitall enemie, which is the diuel: who because he studieth and laboureth continually to impeach the good estate of the Church in heauenly things, to deiect her from her dignitie, and dispossesse her of her inheritance, therefore here in vision hee is said to appeare in heauen. For he medleth with the Church, in and about heauenlie things, practising to pull her out of heauen, from whence she came, and whither she must returne, euen to cast her into hell, and condemnation with himselfe, if it were possible.
The devil is compared to a dragon for his fury & felnesse; to a great dragon for his power & might; and a red dragon, for his bloody cruelty, malice, and madness against Christ, and all his members.