A20217:734
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 yet it must needs be granted, that the wicked shall wax worse and worse, & the world shall not amend, but still be worse and worse, chapter 14. ver. 1 14 & 18. and grow to a greater height and ripeness of sin, as appeareth in this prophecy. Yet for all this we must note withal, that the number of true believers in those last days, chapter 11. ver. 1 ver. 11. ver. 13. shall be very many, as this book doth also teach. But it may be objected, how can this gear stand together, that in the last days there shall be multitudes and millions of reprobates, and most wicked & abominable persons, and yet withal, a great increase of true believers? I answer, that the world will be always like it self, impious and unbelieving. But the church shall purely worship God, and that with daily increasing, even unto the end.
But yet it must needes be granted, that the wicked shall wax worse and worse, & the world shall not amend, but still bee worse and worse, chapter 14. ver. 1 14 & 18. and grow to a greater height and ripenesse of sinne, as appeareth in this prophesie. Yet for all this wee must note withall, that the number of true beleeuers in those last daies, chapter 11. ver. 1 ver. 11. ver. 13. shall bee very many, as this booke doth also teach. But it may bee obiected, how can this geare stand together, that in the last daies there shall bee multitudes and millions of reprobates, and most wicked & abhominable persons, and yet withall, a great increase of true beleeuers? I answere, that the world will bee alwaies like it selfe, impious and vnbeleeuing. But the church shall purely worship God, and that with daily increasing, euen vnto the end.
But now me thinketh I hear some man say, what likelihood is there of all this which you write touching ⟨p. 247⟩the overthrow of Rome? Do we not see, that Rome is yet strong? Doth not Italy, Spain, the greatest part of France, and Netherland, and Germany, stand for her defence? Hath not the whore still many and great bearers, and upholders, what likelihood is there then, that ever she shall be brought so low as you speak of? I answer,1