A20217:728
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 to make this plain. We know, that they which proclaim any matter, seek some market cross, or high place to stand in, where they may best be heard: So this Angel, which proclaimeth the victory against Antichrist, before any stroke be stricken, because of the certainty of it, standeth in the Sun, as it were in the Theatre and middest of the world, as in a place most fit for his purpose, that he may be heard throughout all the earth. Now this proclamation is directed to all the fowls of the air, to bid them to a supper, which is here called the supper of the great God. But it may be demanded, what cheer shall they have? The holy Ghost answereth, that they shall eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of great Captains, and the flesh of mighty men, vers. 18 and the flesh of horses, and of horsemen, and the flesh of all freemen, and bondmen, and of small and great.
Now to make this plaine. Wee know, that they which proclaime anie matter, seeke some market crosse, or high place to stand in, where they may best be heard: So this Angell, which proclaimeth the victorie against Antichrist, before anie stroke bee stricken, because of the certaintie of it, standeth in the Sunne, as it were in the Theater and middest of the world, as in a place most fit for his purpose, that hee may bee heard throughout all the earth. Now this proclamation is directed to all the foules of the aire, to bid them to a supper, which is here called the supper of the great God. But it may be demanded, what cheare shall they haue? The holie Ghost answereth, that they shal eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of great Captaines, and the flesh of mightie men, vers. 18 and the flesh of horses, and of horsmen, and the flesh of all freemen, and bondmen, and of small and great.
This we know, that when men are slain in great numbers in the wars, their bodies lie scattered, as meat for the fowls of the air. And therefore here all fowls are invited and bidden to a great supper, made them by the great God, whose hand is in all this; their cheer, and their dainties are reckoned up to be the flesh of kings and Captains, &c. Now out of all this may be strongly concluded, that hereafter in all time to come, when the armies ⟨p. 240⟩