A20217:712
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.
If this be not plain enough to prove an utter overthrow of Rome, I know not what can be plain enough. For if death, famine, and fire will not pull her down, I know not what shall pull her down. But Saint John saith flatly, that God himself who ⟨p. 229⟩is a strong Lord, will oppose himself against Rome, and condemn her. If this strong God take against her, who can uphold her? Can the king of Spain? can the Cardinals? can the Emperor? can all the Dukes of Italy, and all the potentates of the earth, that take part with her? No, no,1 they are all too weak. For if God take against a man, who can reclaim him, saith the Holy-Ghost? For he doth whatsoever he will. And again, God is wise in heart, 2and mighty in strength, who ever hardened his hart against him and prospered? If God call not back his anger, the most proud helps are bowed under him. And God saith by the Prophet: Can thy hands be strong, 3or can thy hart endure in the day that I shall have to do with thee? Then it followeth, that though Babylon sit as a Queen, & all her lovers take part with her, yet because the strong Lord is against her, therefore she shall come to utter destruction. Some of good judgement in the truth, have gathered from this place, that the very City of Rome shall be burnt with fire;4 which assuredly may well be. But this I am sure of, that the phrase of burning with fire, doth in the Prophets always signify an utter destruction and desolation of a City, or a kingdom, and therefore it followeth that Rome shall be utterly destroyed.
If this bee not plaine enough to proue an vtter ouerthrow of Rome, I know not what can be plaine enough. For if death, famine, and fire will not pul her downe, I knowe not what shal pul her downe. But Saint Iohn saith flatly, that God himselfe who ⟨p. 229⟩is a strong Lord, will oppose himselfe against Rome, and condemne her. If this strong God take against her, who can vpholde her? Can the king of Spaine? can the Cardinalles? can the Emperour? can all the Dukes of Italy, and al the potentates of the earth, that take part with her? No, no,