A20217:732
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 me thinketh I hear some man say, how is it like that Popery shall fall down more and more here amongst us, sith it hath so many friends, backers, and upholders, and seemeth to gather strength, and make an head again? I answer, that all is but a lightening before death. I answer, that all is but the stopping of a water-brook, or making a dam overthwart it, which will cause it to swell more, and break over with greater violence. I answer, that all is no more then is foretold, that 2the Jesuits shall come forth like frogs out of their puddles, and marish grounds, and keep a croaking for a time, till they have croaked their own destruction, and many others. For they shall never set up Popery here in England, to stand and continue, do what they can. I must needs confess, that our ⟨p. 244⟩sins, being so horrible and outrageous, as they are, and being grown to such an height, and ripeness, do deserve some fearful vengeance, and that God hath a just controversy against us, as sometimes he had against Israel, because there was no mercy, nor truth, 1nor knowledge of God in the land: but swearing, lying, killing, stealing, and whoring, and blood toucheth blood, and therefore saith God, the land shall mourn, &c. But yet I hope for his covenant sake, for his great mercies sake, for his names sake, for his glory sake, and for his Church sake, he will be gracious and favourable unto us, & not bring upon us that vengeance which our sins have deserved: or at leastwise though he correct us, as indeed he hath just cause, & we may justly fear it; yet he will do it in mercy, for our amendment, and not in wrath to our destruction, as he saith by his Prophet:2 I will not utterly destroy thee, but I vvill correct thee by judgement, and not utterly cut thee off. But howsoever it shall please the most wise God to deal with us; yet this I say, and am persuaded of, that Popery shall never be established again in this kingdom; my reason is, because the everlasting Gospel carried abroad by the Angel that flieth in the middest of heaven, shall spread still more and more throughout all the kingdoms of Europe, chapter 14.6. 3as appeareth Chap. 14. ver.6. for otherwise how shall Rome fall? how shall the Jews ever be converted? how shall fire come down from heaven, and devour both Gog and Magog, chapter 20.9 as the holy Ghost foretelleth shall come to pass: