A20217:607
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 is showed, that the things spoken of this great ⟨p. 180⟩beast, are very secret and mystical, and can be understood of none but those only, whose ears and eyes God openeth to hear, & see, and understand, that is, the very elect of God: as for all papists and worldlings, their ears & eyes are sealed and shut up, they cannot understand them, but do still worship the beast, ascribing unto him divine power and honour.
Here is shewed, that the things spoken of this great ⟨p. 180⟩beast, are very secret and mystical, and can be vnderstood of none but those onely, whose eares and eies God openeth to heare, & see, and vnderstand, that is, the very elect of God: as for al papists and worldlings, their eares & eies are sealed and shut vp, they cannot vnderstand them, but doe stil worship the beast, ascribing vnto him diuine power and honor.
In the 10. verse the judgement and vengeance of God is denounced against the Roman monarchy, both former and latter; which, as it hath long oppressed the church with cruel bondage, and drawn thousands into perpetual captivity; so it self also should be cast down, with all the adherents thereof, both in this life and that which is to come. For as the Roman Empire did tyrannise over the world, and led millions into spiritual captivity and bondage: so here it is avouched, that according to the just law of quittance, it self should be brought to the same lore. And as this beast had murdered many by the sword; so he him self must be murdered by the sword also: As the Apostle saith,1 God is just, and therefore will recompense tribulation to them that trouble his Church. Now all this seemeth unto me, to be a clear prophecy of the fall and final destruction of the Roman Empire, which indeed considering the pitch that it was at, may seem a thing strange and incredible: and therefore the Holy-ghost stirreth us up to attention in the ninth verse, as to a thing of great wonderment, and admiration: for if the Roman monarchy fall, the Papacy must of necessity fall with it. For the Roman Empire is that beast, chapter 17. verse 3. which beareth up the whore of Babylon, as appeareth in the 17. Chapter of this prophecy,