A20217:554
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. 17 Then the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went & made war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
ver. 17 Then the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went & made war with the remnant of her seede, which keep the commandements of God, and haue the testimony of Iesus Christ.
Here we see there is no end of the devils malice. He is infatigable in mischief: though he have never so many foils, yet he will not give over, but begin again. For whereas he could not prevail against the woman, to cast her out of heaven, by impeaching her election and salvation in Christ, nor yet root her out the earth by persecutions, being hid in the wilderness, ⟨p. 167⟩and locked up in the privy chambers of Gods providence, as sometimes young Joash was locked up in the priests chamber from the fury of Athaliah:1 now he goeth another way to work, and setteth upon her in her seed and posterity, which remain in the earth unto this day. So that now sith he cannot do what mischief he would against the church; yet will he do what he can: seeing he cannot wound her in her head, yet will he bite, and pinch at her heel: as it is written, that he should bruise her heel. 2And as is the malice of Satan against the church; so is the rage and fury of all his members, even all the wicked and ungodly, against the true worshippers of God. They are restless in malice and in mischief: if they cannot vex them one way, they will try another: if they cannot touch them in their lives, yet will they molest them in their goods and good name: if they cannot do what they would, yet will they do what they can: they will never give over: if they can spite them in the least thing that is, they shall be sure of it. For they are as full of venom as a toad, and as full of malice to Christ, as an egg is full of meat.