A20217:760
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.
I am not ignorant that some good divines make it doubtful, whether Rome shall be overthrown by the Kings of Europe only, or by the Turk also, and the kings of the East. For mine own part, I dare not resolutely determine of it, being a thing to come, but the event shall declare, and they that live shall one day see it. It may be the Turk, and the Eastern princes may have some hand in this business. For ⟨p. 259⟩the Roman Monarchy did stretch far that way, when it was in his highest elevation. But that which is alleged of the drying up of the waters of Euphrates, 1that the way of the Kings of the East might be prepared: Proveth nothing, because it is an allusion to Darius and Cyrus, which were kings of the East; and took old Babylon by drying up the waters of Euphrates, and leading over their armies, as we have heard before. I do thus then resolve and conclude, that the Turk and the Eastern Kings may haply have some stroke in this work. But it seemeth most probable unto me,2 that the kings of Europe shall be the greatest agents in this action. For the words are plain, that the Kings of the earth which sometimes were subject to that monstrous beast, should now at last shake of the yoke of her servitude, and withdraw the obedience of their subjects from her, chapter 17.16. And should hate and abhor the harlot of Rome, and should make her desolate. By withdrawing their subjects from her obedience, and naked, by spoiling her of her treasures, and shall eat her flesh, and tear her in pieces for pure hatred, and burn her with fire: that is, bring her to utter destruction.
I am not ignorant that some good diuines make it doubtfull, whether Rome shalbe ouerthrowne by the Kings of Europe onely, or by the Turke also, and the kings of the East. For mine owne part, I dare not resolutely determine of it, being a thing to come, but the euent shall declare, and they that liue shall one day see it. It may be the Turke, and the Easterne princes may haue some hand in this businesse. For ⟨p. 259⟩the Romane Monarchie did stretch far that way, whē it was in his highest eleuation. But that which is alledged of the drying vp of the waters of Euphrates,