A20217:799
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.
Here now is set forth the state of the Church militant, for the space of the thousand year, wherein Satan was chained up. For it is said here, that the Church did grow and flourish: yea, and greatly exercise her power and authority, during that time. And therefore Saint John saith, that he saw seats, and they sate upon them, and judgement was given unto them. Whereby he meaneth, that the Apostles and their successors, had their chairs, seats, and consistories, wherein they did both preach the word, and execute the Church censures: as the Scribes and Pharisees before had sit in the chair of Moses, and I take it, the latter part of the fourth verse, is to be referred to the first clause, to wit, that the Church did live and reign with Christ, a thousand ⟨p. 274⟩years. Which is not to be understood of the Church triumphant, as some do take it, & all the rest of this fourth verse, but of the flourishing estate of the Church militant, during the time of Satan's captivity: for all the faithful do after a sort live, & reign with Christ, even here in the earth, when they overcome the world by faith, and subdue Satan & sin, by the power of grace.
Heere now is set foorth the state of the Church millitant, for the space of the thousand yeere, wherein Sathan vvas chained vp. For it is sayd heere, that the Church dyd grow and flourish: yea, and greatly exercise her power and aucthoritie, during that time. And therefore Saint Iohn saith, that he saw seates, and they sate vpon them, and iudgement was giuen vnto them. Whereby he meaneth, that the Apostles and their successors, had their chaires, seates, and consistories, vvherein they did both preach the vvord, and execute the Church censures: as the Scribes and Phariseies beefore had sit in the chaire of Moises, and I take it, the latter part of the fourth verse, is to be referred to the first clause, to vvit, that the Church dyd liue and raigne with Christ, a thousād ⟨p. 274⟩yeeres. Which is not to be vnderstood of the Church triumphant, as some doe take it, & all the rest of this fourth verse, but of the flourishing estate of the Church militant, during the time of Sathans captiuitie: for all the faithfull do after a sort liue, & raigne with Christ, euen heere in the earth, when they ouercome the world by faith, and subdue Sathan & sinne, by the power of grace.