A20217:735
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, 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 that in this case we must not ask this question what likelihood. We must not consult with flesh and blood. We must not take counsel of humane reason. For God is marvellous in his devises, and when he hath once decreed and determined of any future event, he will compass it by means far surpassing all humane reach and capacity: yea by such plots and devises, as mans wit could never have once dreamed of. For he hath all means in heaven & earth in his hands, and is admirable in all his proceedings, and therefore we may not ask this question, what likelihood, or how can it be, or how can it possibly come to pass? What likelihood was there an hundred years past, when Rome was in her height, and all the kingdoms of Europe stood for her, that ever she should have been forsaken of so many of her old friends, as at this day she is? What likelihood was there, that when the Pope could command the Emperor, and all the kings of Europe, and their kingdoms, that ever he should have been brought so low as at this day he is, God be thanked? What likelihood was there that ever poor Martin Luther should stand out with the everlasting gospel in his mouth ⟨p. 248⟩against the Pope, Emperor, & as it were the whole world, & yet dye in his bed in a good old age? What likelihood was there that Henry the eight, of famous memory, should renounce Rome, oppose himself against the Pope, and suppress the Abbeys, Priories, and Monasteries in this kingdom, and take their lands and livings into his own hands? Therefore I conclude, that when God hath decreed the utter overthrow of Rome, we must not ask this question, how can it be? or which way shall it be brought about? For the scriptures do teach that God in all ages, hath done the greatest exploits, either by himself alone without means, or else by weak means, or contrary to all means.
But now me thinketh I heare some man say, what likelyhood is there of all this which you write touching