A20217:708
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 upon this that God saith, It is done, followeth presently, that there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, chapter 16.18 and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, even so mighty an earthquake. What is meant by thunderings, lightnings, and earthquakes in this Book, I have before showed: to wit, chapter 6.12. commotions seditions, tumults, uproars, and alterations of states, kingdoms, and common-wealths: and then the meaning of this place, is that there shall be horrible shakings, concussions, tumults, & great alteration of states in all the kingdoms which are subject to Antichrist, none ⟨p. 226⟩of them shall escape. For this seventh vial of Gods wrath upon the kingdom of the beast, is compared to a most horrible and blustering tempest, raised up in the whole air, that is, in all places of Antichrists dominions. And it is specially to be noted, as a thing of great moment, that the holy Ghost saith, There was never such an earthquake as this, since the world began, and since men were upon the earth. For assuredly, so soon as the seventh Angel poureth forth his vial, the kingdom of Popery shall go down a main, which shall not belong before the end of the world, as all circumstances here do show. After all this, Saint John telleth us the effect of this thundering, lightning, and extraordinary earthquake; which is, chapter 16.19. that the great city was divided into three parts; that is, there shall be a most horrible rent and division in the city of Rome, and throughout all the Popes dominions. What this rent and division is, and how it shall be, I cannot determine, being a thing to come, as all the rest comprehended under the pouring forth of the seventh vial. But this I am sure of, that Rome shall go down; and there shall be such tumults, uproars, rents, divisions, dissipations, and concussions in Rome, and throughout all the Romish jurisdiction, as never was heard of, nor read of, since the world began. For Saint John addeth, that Babylon came in remembrance before God, vers. 19 to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath:
Now vpon this that God saith, It is done, followeth presentlie, that there vvere voices, and thunderings, and lightenings, chapter 16.18 and there vvas a great earthquake, such as was not since men were vpon the earth, euen so mightie an earthquake. What is meant by thundrings, lightenings, and earthquakes in this Booke, I haue before shewed: to wit, chapter 6.12. commotions seditions, tumults, vprores, and alterations of states, kingdomes, and common-wealths: and then the meaning of this place, is that there shall be horrible shakings, cōcussions, tumults, & great alteration of states in al ye kingdoms which are subiect to Antichrist, none