A20217:733
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.
and as we shall hear more anon? Moreover Saint John telleth us plainly, that in these ⟨p. 245⟩last days the Gospel shall be preached to many people, 1and nations, and tongues, and to many kings. And further he saith, that in this age wherein we live, many shall renounce Idolatry, repent and give glory to the God of heaven. But some man may say, how prove you that this kingdom is one of them which S. John speaketh of, and which he meaneth, wherein the gospel shall be preached unto the end of the world? I answer,2 that it is proved out of the 17. chapter of this prophecy, where the holy ghost telleth us flatly, that those ten kingdoms of Europe which had a long time ben the ten horns & strength of the beast, chapter 17. verse 13 & being of one mind, had given their power & authority unto the beast, should now in these last days rise up against the whore of Babylon, make war against her, hate her & make her desolate. But this kingdom is one of those ten horns, ver. 16 and one of those ten kingdoms, which a long time had given her power & authority unto the beast. Therefore as this kingdom hath happily begun to hate the whore, and to make her desolate and naked: so undoubtedly she shall continue unto the end of the world. For if this kingdom,3 and other kingdoms which now hate the whore, do not continue, how shall she be made desolate and naked &c? Then it should seem, the beast shall revive and recover himself again, and so S. John shall be found a false prophet. But God is true, and all men are liars, & Saint John shall be found a true prophet: and therefore these kingdoms of Europe which have begun to hate the whore, shall continue, & never give her over, ⟨p. 246⟩till (as the holy ghost saith) they have eaten her flesh, & burnt her with fire: that is, till they have utterly devoured her. But here it will be objected, that in the latter days iniquity shall have the upper hand. I answer first, that I find no such place of scripture. But this I find, that our Lord Jesus foretelleth his disciples, that very shortly after his death & resurrection, many seducers and false teachers should arise, which should deceive many, and draw them away from the love of the gospel: and saith he, because iniquity shall be increased,