A20217:693
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.
The proposition is avouched by the Angel, which saith in the seventeenth chapter, that the seven heads of the scarlet coloured beast, are seven mountains, whereon the woman sitteth, that is, seven hills whereon ⟨p. 211⟩the City of Rome is situated, whose names are these: Capitolinus, Palatinus, Aventinus, Exquilinus, Celius, Viminalis, and Quirinalis, as all Poets, and Historiographers do testify. One saith thus of Rome. Septem quae una sibi muro circundedit arces.1 another thus. Septem urbs alta jugis toto quae praesidet orbe.2 Another calleth Rome [Greek or Hebrew], the City with seven heads, that is, seven hills. It is clear then by these reasons, that Babylon in this place signifieth Rome. As for the exposition of the Papists, which affirm that Babylon here signifieth the universal society of the wicked, it is fond & ridiculous: for the Holy ghost saith,3 Babylon is that City which reigneth over the Kings of the earth. But to say that the universal society of the wicked reigneth over the Kings of the earth, is absurd and ridiculous. Therefore to say that Babylon is the universal society of the wicked, is absurd and ridiculous. The distinction of the Jesuits here is also as frivolous as their exposition: for they say, if Babylon be Rome, then it must be understood of Rome under the heathen Emperors: but not under the Popes. But the Angel saith, the woman, that is, the whore of Babylon, or Antichrist sitteth upon seven mountains: ergo she sitteth at Rome, and Rome is the seat of Antichrist; and consequently Rome under the Popes is Babylon. Moreover, we may reason thus against the Popish distinction: That which was Babylon under the heathen Emperors, is the same which is here prophesied to be the chief City and seat of Antichrist. But Rome was then Babylon: ⟨p. 112⟩ergo Rome is now Babylon: for Rome is that City which the Angel saith should be the seat of Antichrist: And this book doth show, that the great Antichrist should reign in the same City, where the heathen Emperors had reigned: & therefore it standeth firm, that Rome under the Popes is Babylon.