A20217:763
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.
Now then, if we knew the day or year certainly, when Rome should fall finally, it would give us too much light, unto the knowledge of the last day, which God in great wisdom, hath of purpose hid from the knowledge of all men: yea, and of Angels. I know right well, that a certain learned writer, doth precisely determine the utter destruction of Rome to fall out, in the year of our Lord 1639.1 But by the favour of so excellent a man be it spoken, I see no sufficient ground thereof. But touching this matter, of the time of Romes final fall, I will deliver mine opinion, and my reasons, submitting my self to the judgement of the learned, for I would be loth, in this or any other thing, to go beyond my compass, or to pass the bounds of modesty, and humility, and therefore do refer all to be tried by the sickle of the sanctuary. I do therefore thus judge, that the utter overthrow of Rome, shall be in this age, I mean within the age of a man: my reason is this. We of this age, live under the opening of the seventh seal, the blowing of the sixth trumpet, and the pouring forth of the sixth vial. For the first it is manifest, because the opening of the seventh seal, containeth all things, that shall fall out to the end of the world: as hath been showed and proved before.2 For the blowing of the sixth trumpet, that also is plain, because under the blowing thereof, the little book was opened, and the gospel preached, as we see in this age.3 For the pouring down of the sixth vial ⟨p. 263⟩of Gods wrath, that also is most clear, because thereupon the great river Euphrates drieth up, and the Jesuits are sent out, to solicit the kings of the earth to battle against the Church, as we see fulfilled in these our days. Then I reason thus, Rome must fall down finally,4 in that age wherein the little book is opened, and the everlasting gospel preached: but in this age, the little book is opened, and the everlasting gospel preached, therefore in this age, Rome must fall down finally. And again I reason thus: Rome must fall down finally, in that age, wherein the river Euphrates, that is,