A20217:707
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.
But now let us proceed to prove the third main point; which is, that Rome shall fall finally, and come to utter desolation. For all sound Divines are persuaded of the fall of Babylon, and do grant that it falleth, and is in falling: but all are not so thoroughly persuaded of the final fall thereof in this life. Therefore now I will prove by manifest Scripture, that Rome shall fall for a do.1 First, if the things be deeply considered and narrowly looked into, which Saint John saith shall fall out upon the pouring forth of the seventh vial of Gods wrath, by the seventh Angel, they do fully portend a deadly downfall, and utter overthrow of Rome. For the seventh vial is not poured upon the earth, or sea, or fountains of waters, or on the Sun, as the first four vials were, which signified some particular judgements; but it was poured forth into the very air, chapter 16.17. which signifieth the universality of it, and containeth the most general▪ and most grievous judgment, and vengeance of Almighty God, upon the whole body of the kingdom of Antichrist, a little before the last day. The ⟨p. 225⟩text saith, that upon the pouring forth of this vial, there was a loud voice heard out of the temple of heaven from the throne: that is, vers. 17 from the very presence of God, saying: It is done. It is dispatched. The utter overthrow of Rome is fully concluded of, and all things finished which belong to the pouring forth of the seven vials, which contain the seven last plagues, wherein the whole wrath of God is fulfilled, as appeareth chap. 15. as before it is said, Babylon is fallen, chapter 15.1. because it should certainly fall: So here God himself saith, It is done, because it shall certainly be done. For whatsoever God hath determined to be done, is as it were already done, because it shall most certainly be effected. Sith then the Lord hath pronounced this of Rome, there remaineth nothing but a daily accomplishment of it: and let all the papists know for a certainty, that they must go to their gear, they must come to their payment, there is no way of evasion. For hath the Lord spoken it, and shall it not come to pass?
But now let vs proceede to prooue the third maine point; which is, that Rome shall fall finally, and come to vtter desolation. For all sound Diuines are perswaded of the fall of Babylon, and doe graunt that it falleth, and is in falling: but all are not so thoroughly perswaded of the finall fall thereof in this life. Therefore now I wil proue by manifest Scripture, that Rome shall fall for a doo.