A20217:597
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.
vers. 5 And there was given unto him a mouth that spake great things, and blasphemies, and power was given unto him to do 42. months. ver. 6 And he opened his mouth unto blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
vers. 5 And there was giuen vnto him a mouth that spake great things, and blasphemies, and power was giuen vnto him to do 42. moneths. ver. 6 And he opened his mouth vnto blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwel in heauen.
Here are set down the proud and blasphemous speeches both of the old, and new Roman Empire; and of the old, and new Roman Emperors. For this beast (as I said before) comprehendeth all the Roman Empire, both under the Heathen Emperors, and the Popes. Touching the great things, and blasphemies, which the old persecuting Emperors have belched out against the God of heaven, it would require ⟨p. 177⟩a volume to set them down in particulars. I will therefore only mention two or three for examples sake: As first that of Caius Caligula, which would have his image set up in temples to be worshipped as God, and that the people should swear by his name. Nero also did openly blaspheme the name of Christ, and required divine honour to be given unto him. Domitian commanded that he should be called God and Lord. Many others required the like things: and so all the world wondered and worshipped this blasphemous beast. Now as the sixth head, which was the old empire of Rome, was full of the names of blasphemy; so the seventh head, which is the new Empire under the dominion of the Popes, which he here chiefly speaketh of, did most of all blaspheme. For the Pope did challenge unto himself all power both in heaven and earth: he would be worshipped as God: he usurped authority over the word of God: he did take upon him to forgive sins. He did most blasphemously encroach upon all the offices of Christ, as king, priest, & prophet. He hath commanded the Angels. He hath erected blasphemous images, and caused pictures to be made of the Godhead. He boasteth and cracketh great things of his Papal power, of Peters keys, of Peters chair, of Peters succession, of his miracles, of his two swords, and of his manifold prerogatives royal. One of the Popes poisoned his God: another cast his God into the fire: another would eat his peacock in despite of God. Some of them counted the religion of Christ a tale or a fable: some drank to the devil: some said, they could do as much as God. It were infinite to set down all their blasphemies: for it is said of the