A20217:579
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.
First, we are to understand that a beast in the Scripture doth signify a kingdom, or monarchy; and that not in respect of the civil power thereof, which is of God,1 as it is written, There is no power but of God: but in respect of the tyranny, cruelty, ambition, pride, and other such like beastly qualities thereof, which are of the devil: and therefore this beast is said to ascend out of the bottomless pit, chap. 17.8.
First, we are to vnderstand that a beast in the Scripture doth signifie a kingdome, or monarchie; and that not in respect of the ciuil power therof, which is of God,1 as it is written, There is no power but of God: but in respect of the tyrannie, crueltie, ambition, pride, and other such like beastly qualities thereof, which are of the diuell: and therefore this beast is said to ascend out of the bottomlesse pit, chap. 17.8.
- 1Rom. 13.
This word beast is thus taken in the seventh of Daniel, 1where the three great Monarchies of the Babylonians, Medes and Persians, and of the Grecians, are compared for their pride, rapine and cruelty, to a Lyon, a Bear, and a Leopard. The Angel in that chapter saith expressly,2 that these beasts were kings, that is, kingly governments or Dominions.
This word beast is thus taken in the seuenth of Daniel, 1where the three great Monarchies of the Babylonians, Medes and Persians, and of the Grecians, are compared for their pride, rapine and cruelty, to a Lyon, a Beare, and a Leopard. The Angell in that chapter saith expresly,