A20217:603
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.
These two verses do set forth the great power which was given unto this beast, both in fighting against Gods people, and also overcoming of them, and murdering of them by heaps. As we read of thousands ⟨p. 179⟩murdered in the first ten great persecutions, and ten thousands by the Popes, since they came to exercise the civill authority and jurisdiction of the Roman Empire, and that in all countries and kingdoms of Europe; as it is here said, that power was given unto him over every kindred▪ and tongue and nation. And it is added, that all that dwell upon the earth, that is, all the subjects of the Roman monarchy, shall worship the beast, and make a God of him; as we read they have don. And the chief motive thereof, was his blasphemous mouth, boasting & threatening great things if any did withstand him: and also his mighty power and authority, whereby he bare down all before him. For if any did but mute against him, he was sure to smart for it. And thus through his tyrannical power he subdued all nations under him, and made them stoop and fall down and worship him. But it followeth, that for all this, none of Gods elect did worship him, or submit themselves to his religion, and authority, but only those that dwell upon the earth, that is, earthly men: as papists, atheists, and reprobates, and all such, whose names are not written in the book of life.
These two verses do set forth the great power which was giuen vnto this beast, both in fighting against Gods people, and also ouercomming of them, and murdering of them by heapes. As we reade of thousands ⟨p. 179⟩murdered in the first ten great persecutions, and ten thousands by the Popes, since they came to exercise the ciuill authority and iurisdiction of the Romane Empire, and that in al countries and kingdomes of Europe; as it is here said, that power was giuē vnto him ouer euery kindred▪ and tongue and nation. And it is added, that all that dwell vpon the earth, that is, al the subiects of the Roman monarchy, shal worship the beast, and make a God of him; as we read they haue don. And the chiefe motiue therof, was his blasphemous mouth, boasting & threatning great things if any did withstand him: and also his mighty power and authority, whereby he bare downe al before him. For if any did but mute against him, he was sure to smart for it. And thus through his tyrannicall power he subdued al nations vnder him, and made them stoupe and fal downe and worship him. But it followeth, that for al this, none of Gods elect did worship him, or submit themselues to his religion, and authority, but only those that dwell vpon the earth, that is, earthly men: as papists, atheists, and reprobates, and al such, whose names are not written in the booke of life.