A20217:615
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.
And he did all that the first beast could do before him: & he caused the earth, & them that dwell therein, vers. 12 to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
And he did all that the first beast could doe before him: & he caused the earth, & them that dwel therin, vers. 12 to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Here is showed, that this second beast was as mighty and strong as the first beast, and could do as much as he, even in his presence. Whereby is noted the great power, and authority of the Papacy, in performing as much in the service of the dragon against God and his church, as ever the Empire of the heathen, and those wicked Emperors could do: yea he did much more against Christ and his religion, then ever the persecuting Emperors could do, even then when they were at their highest pitch. And all this he did in his presence, that is, in the sight and open view of the whole Empire, or whole world.
Here is shewed, that this second beast was as mighty and stronge as the first beast, and could doo as much as he, euen in his presence. Whereby is noted the great power, and authority of the Papacy, in performing as much in the seruice of the dragon against God and his church, as euer the Empire of the heathen, and those wicked Emperours could doo: yea he did much more against Christ and his religion, then euer the persecuting Emperours could do, euen then when they were at their highest pitch. And al this he did in his presence, that is, in the sight and open view of the whole Empire, or whole world.
And he caused the earth, and them that dwell therein, that is, all Papists, and worldlings, to worship the first beast, that is, to receive the worship and religion of the old Roman tyranny, which set up and maintained Idolatry. So then, although the power in the Papacy came under the name of Christ, yet in truth it was the same that the power of the persecuting Empire: for the heathen emperors condemned the true worship of God, and set up false worship, even the worship of devils, which is Idolatry, and so do the Popes also. So then we see, that this second beast is all for the first beast, that is, he levieth all his power and authority,