A20217:641
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.
Lastly, he will have all men of all conditions to wear his livery, and to receive his mark, as it were his hired and covenant servants.
Lastly, he will haue all men of all conditions to weare his liuerie, and to receiue his marke, as it were his hired and couenant seruants.
Here is wisdom: Let him that hath wit, count the the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man, ⟨p. 192⟩and his number is six hundred threescore and six.
Heere is wisdome: Let him that hath wit, count the the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man, ⟨p. 192⟩and his number is sixe hundred theescore and sixe.
Now last of all the holy Ghost telleth us that it is a very high point of wisdom and understanding, to count the number of the beast, and requireth a sharp and pregnant wit; and withal telleth us, that it is the number of a man; that is, such as a man endued with Gods Spirit may find out. Then we are encouraged to search into it, sith it is within the compass of mans reach. It is no impossible thing. If therefore we could find out his name, we would desire no more; then the field were won: for his name would discover him, and descry him to all the world, and quite stop the mouths of the Papists, so as they should never have any thing more to say. For if Saint John had said expressly and in plain terms, that the Popes of Rome are this second beast, and the very Antichrist himself, then the Papists had been put to perpetual silence, all matters quashed, and all controversies ended betwixt them and us for ever. But here the holy Ghost doth not tell us his name plainly, but mystically, as many other things in this book, that the worldlings which should fulfil them might be blinded, whilst the eyes of Gods elect are opened to see into the truth of all these matters. Well, to come to the point: Saint John doth only here set down the numerative letters of the beasts name. He wrote in Greek, and he only setteth down three Greek letters or characters, which in Greek numeration make six hundred sixty six.