The ruin of RomeThe ruine of Rome

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 ⟨p. 204⟩ministry of the word. And moreover it is said, that the earth was lightened with his glory, that is, with the brightness of the preaching of the Gospel, whereby the darkness of Popery was dispersed and driven away, and Babylon falleth upon it, as there you may read, and as here we shall see the like effect by and by.

First therefore wee are to vnderstand, what is meant by this Angell heere mentioned, to wit, not anie celestiall Angell, or inuisible spirit, as it is sundrie ⟨p. 203⟩times taken before: but by this Angell, and the two Angels following, are meant all the faithfull Ministers of the Gospell, which should bee raised vp in these last dayes, for the ouerthrow of Rome, and the deliuering of the Church from vnder the captiuitie of Antichrist: which may plainey appeare by this, that it is said, this Angell preacheth the euerlasting Gospell vnto them that dwell on the earth, which cannot properly agree to the celestiall spirits. Wee haue heard out of the tenth chapter, that Iesus Christ did open the little booke, which is the Bible, and did giue authoritie to his faithfull Ministers to goe preach and publish the doctrine thereof to manie nations, countries, and kingdomes: chapter 10.11. nowe vnto that agreeth this which is heere spoken of, and is a further opening and declaring of that which is there set downe. For as there Iesus Christ commeth downe from heauen, and openeth the little booke, which had beene long shut vp vnder the darknesse of Poperie, and the smoake which came out of the bottomlesse pit: so heere Christ Iesus raiseth vp his faithfull Ministers and preachers, to publish and proclaime the doctrine of the Gospell, which had long lyen hidde vnder the outragious 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 Booke, where Saint Iohn seeth an Angell come downe from heauen, hauing great power, so that the earth was lightened with his glorie. By which Angell is meant all the Preachers of this age. And the Angell is saide to haue great power: For what is more powerfull then the