A20217:625
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.
(For therein the Popes were all in all, after it came into their hands) Therefore this cannot be understood of the Empire, but of some other thing: let us then diligently search out what may be the true meaning of this place. It must needs be granted, that by the beast, which had the wound of a sword, ⟨p. 187⟩and did live, is meant the recovered estate of the empire, as before vers. 12. and by the image thereof, I understand the form of government: for an image doth signify a likeness, a similitude, a figure or form of a thing. And as in all civil and ecclesiastical regiments, there is both a substance and a form; a matter and a manner: so here, vers. 12 having before set down that Antichrist had erected the substance and matter of the old Roman tyranny; now he showeth, that he should also set up the image and form of the same. For before ver. 12. it is said, that Antichrist this second beast, caused the world to worship the first beast, that is, to receive and embrace the laws, worship, and religion of the old heathenish Roman tyrants, as before hath bin showed: and now here is added, that he did not content himself with causing the inhabitants of the earth to worship the old beast, in the substance of his religion; but also he layeth commandments upon them, to make his Image, that is, to erect an external form of Ecclesiastical government, after the very pattern and form of the government of the old Empire; yea so like it, that it is called the very image of the same. For as the form of government under the old Emperors, was cruel and tyrannical, and altogether bent against the Church: so the form of Ecclesiastical government under the Popes, was cruel and tyrannical, and altogether bent against the Church; and therefore here it is called the Image of it▪ for it is as like it as it can look. Then it followeth, that Antichrist hath set up that external form of worship, which the Idolatrous Romans of old used; ⟨p. 188⟩and that he hath renewed the persecuting Empire, not only in substance of matter, but also in form of government: and therefore I conclude, that the Popish Church-policy, and external regiment, is the very Image of the beast.
(For therein the Popes were al in al, after it came into their hands) Therfore this cannot be vnderstood of ye Empire, but of some other thing: let vs then diligently search out what may be the true meaning of this place. It must needes be graunted, that by the beast, which had the wound of a sworde,