A20217:703
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.
they repented not of their works, saith Saint John, and therefore God is more incensed against them, and causeth the sixth Angel to pour out another vial upon the great river Euphrates, and the water thereof dried up: as we have heard. Now then observe carefully, and note it diligently, that the frogs come forth upon the darkening of the kingdom of the beast,1 & the drying up of their Euphrates. For who knoweth not that the pope & his complices perceiving the weakening & diminishing ⟨p. 220⟩of their kingdom, have sent out these Jesuits and Seminary Priests into all parts of Europe, to repair the ruins of Rome, if it were possible. And this is one circumstantial reason to prove these three frogs be understood of the Jesuits. But let us proceed to open the whole description of the holy Ghost, that it may yet more plainly appear. First, these frogs are called unclean spirits, chapter 16. v. 13. because they are the very limbs of the devil, full of all filthiness and uncleanness. Secondly, they are called spirits, because they come out of the mouth of the Dragon, •he beast, and the false Prophet. Thirdly, they are called three in number, being in the truth nearer unto three thousand, because they proceed out of three several mouths the Dragon, the beast, and the false Prophet: that is, the devil, the Roman Empire, and the Papacy. Three horrible monsters, three terrible bugbears, which with one consent conspire together against the Gospel, to uphold their Babylon, and to stop the leak of their Euphrates. Now these three Frogs are said to come out of the mouth of the Dragon, the beast, and the false Prophet, because they come with the very mind and message of the Pope, and the Roman Empire, and so consequently with the very mind and spirit of the Dragon. For they are the very breath of the Pope, and the spirits of the devil, as like him, as if they had been spit out of his mouth. They are sent on the devils errand, and the Popes embassage into all countries and kingdoms, and are taught their lesson what they shall say, and instructed what they shall do, and what courses they ⟨p. 221⟩shall take with all sorts of men, both Kings, Nobles, and the meaner sort: and for this cause the holy Ghost saith, they came out of the very mouth, the very heart, and the very bowels of the Pope, and of the devil.