A20217:669
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.
Hitherto the holy Ghost hath taught us how the Church was preserved under the tyranny of Antichrist, and greatest waves of persecutions; and that even then they did purely and faithfully worship the true God. Now he proceedeth to foreshow the ruin and downfall of Antichrist, and plainly to prophesy the utter decay of the kingdom of Babel. This doctrine therefore we are to hearken unto with great attention and cheerfulness, because it doth so much concern our good, & the good of the whole church, also because we live in the days, wherein we see it is in part fulfilled.
Hitherto the holy Ghost hath taught vs how the Church was preserued vnder the tyrannie of Antichrist, and greatest waues of persecutions; and that euen then they did purely and faithfully worship the true God. Now he proceedeth to foreshew the ruine and downfall of Antichrist, and plainely to prophesie the vtter decay of the kingdome of Babell. This doctrine therefore we are to hearken vnto with great attention and cheerefulnesse, because it doth so much concerne our good, & the good of the whole church, also because we liue in the dayes, wherin we see it is in part fulfilled.
First therefore we are to understand, what is meant by this Angel here mentioned, to wit, not any celestial Angel, or invisible spirit, as it is sundry ⟨p. 203⟩times taken before: but by this Angel, and the two Angels following, are meant all the faithful Ministers of the Gospel, which should be raised up in these last days, for the overthrow of Rome, and the delivering of the Church from under the captivity of Antichrist: which may plainly appear by this, that it is said, this Angel preacheth the everlasting Gospel unto them that dwell on the earth, which cannot properly agree to the celestial spirits. We have heard out of the tenth chapter, that Jesus Christ did open the little book, which is the Bible, and did give authority to his faithful Ministers to go preach and publish the doctrine thereof to many nations, countries, and kingdoms: chapter 10.11. now unto that agreeth this which is here spoken of, and is a further opening and declaring of that which is there set down. For as there Jesus Christ cometh down from heaven, and openeth the little book, which had been long shut up under the darkness of Popery, and the smoke which came out of the bottomless pit: so here Christ Jesus raiseth up his faithful Ministers and preachers, to publish and proclaim the doctrine of the Gospel, which had long lien hid under the outrageous persecutions of the two monstrous and most hideous beasts. chapter 18.1 To this also agreeth that which is written in the eighteenth chapter of this Book, where Saint John seeth an Angel come down from heaven, having great power, so that the earth was lightened with his glory. By which Angel is meant all the Preachers of this age. And the Angel is said to have great power: For what is more powerful then the