A20217:687
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.
Now having showed the reason why Rome is called Babylon, and what is meant by Rome; we are to proceed to the first point, which is, to prove that Babylon in this place signifieth Rome, which although it be granted of all sound divines, and avouched in the writings of the best learned both new and old, so as it shall need no great proof: yet I will ad three or four reasons out of this book, to make it more plain and apparent. First therefore, I do thus reason out of ⟨p. 209⟩the seventeenth Chapter and last verse: chapter 17.18. Babylon is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the earth: but there was no other City which did reign over the Kings of the earth, when John writ this book, but only Rome: Therefore Rome is Babylon. For as for Jerusalem, it was at that time made an heap of stones. The first proposition is avouched by the Angel of God, expounding unto John what is meant by the great whore, chapter 17.1. whose damnation he had showed him before; and by the woman which sate upon a scarlet coloured beast. The woman which thou sawest, saith the Angel to Saint John, is the great City, which reigneth over the Kings of the earth, That is to say, Rome, or the Romish synagogue, and malignant Church. For the Angel could not speak more plainly, except he should have named Rome, then to say thus, The woman the great whore of Babylon is the great City, which reigneth over the Kings of the earth. For if one should say, the great City of England, every man knoweth that thereby is meant London; if one should say, the great City of France, every one knoweth that thereby is meant Paris: so when the Angel saith, the great city which reigneth over the Kings of the earth; all that lived in those times knew that,1 thereby was meant Rome. For Rome was the chief City of the monarchy, and is put in this book for the whole monarchy, and the religion thereof, as hath been said before.
Now hauing shewed the reason why Rome is called Babylon, and what is meant by Rome; we are to proceed to the first point, which is, to prooue that Babylon in this place signifieth Rome, which although it bee granted of all sound diuines, and auouched in the writings of the best learned both new and olde, so as it shal need no great proofe: yet I wil ad three or foure reasons out of this booke, to make it more plaine and apparant. First therefore, I doe thus reason out of ⟨p. 209⟩