A20217:590
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.
Here the Roman Empire is described of the likelihood of qualities, which it had with the other three Empires going before it. For first, it is compared to a Leopard, for swiftness to pray upon others; and also for fierceness, and subtlety, as did the Greek monarchy. Secondly, it is compared to a Bear for rapine and ravening, as the monarchy of the Medes and Persians. Thirdly, it is compared to a Lyon for pride and insolencie, as the monarchy of the Chaldeans. So then by this description it is ⟨p. 173⟩very clear, that this beast signifieth the Roman monarchy, because it containeth in it the whole power of the other three Empires: and is here described as a compound of divers beasts, yea as a very monster of monsters, having the body of a Leopard, the feet of a Bear, and the mouth of a Lyon.
Here the Roman Empire is described of the likelihood of qualities, which it had with the other three Empires going before it. For first, it is compared to a Leopard, for swiftnesse to pray vpon others; and also for fircenesse, and subtiltie, as did the Greeke monarchie. Secondly, it is compared to a Beare for rapine and rauening, as the monarchie of the Medes and Persians. Thirdly, it is compared to a Lyon for pride and insolencie, as the monarchie of the Chaldaeans. So then by this description it is ⟨p. 173⟩verie cleere, that this beast signifieth the Roman monarchie, because it containeth in it the whole power of the other three Empires: and is here described as a compound of diuers beasts, yea as a verie monster of monsters, hauing the body of a Leopard, the feete of a Beare, and the mouth of a Lyon.
Moreover it is said, that the Dragon gave him his power, and his throne, and great authority. Which plainly showeth, that the power and authority of the Roman Empire is of the devil, in respect of the evil quality thereof, that is, fraud, rapine, chapter 17. v. 8. and oppression: In which respect it is said to ascend out of the bottomless pit, as was declared before. But the substance of it, and the government it self, was of God. For the powers that be, are ordained of God,