A20217:803
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.
Therefore the meaning of S. John is, that as in the thousand years, many that heard Christ and his Apostles, and their successors, were raised up from the death of sin, to the life of righteousness, so many others were not quickened by their doctrine, but still dwelt in their sins, whom he calleth the rest of the dead: and he saith, these shall not live again, meaning the life of God, or the life of grace, and whereas he addeth until the thousand years be finished, he meaneth never, or not at all, for so the word until, is often taken in the scriptures: and it is sure, that after the expiration of the thousand years, they did not live the life of God, and the life of the spirit. For then the devil was let loose upon the world, to work his pleasure, and to seduce with all efficacy of error and iniquity.
Therefore the meaning of S. Iohn is, that as in the thousand yeeres, many that heard Christ and his Apostles, and their successors, were raised vp from the death of sinne, to the life of righteousnesse, so many others were not quickened by their doctrine, but stil dwelt in their sinnes, whom hee calleth the rest of the dead: and hee saith, these shall not liue againe, meaning the life of God, or the life of grace, and whereas hee addeth vntill the thousand yeeres be finished, he meaneth neuer, or not at all, for so the word vntill, is often taken in the scriptures: and it is sure, that after the expiration of the thousand yeeres, they did not liue the life of God, and the life of the spirit. For then the diuell was let loose vpon the world, to worke his pleasure, and to seduce with all efficacie of error and iniquitie.
Whereas it is said, this is the first resurrection, he meaneth the rising from sin, to the life of righteousness, which was in the thousand years, of the gospels preaching, and therefore he addeth, that he is blessed that hath part in the first resurrection, &c. and saith, that all such shall reign with Christ a thousand years. Which is meant of the reign of the faithful, even upon earth, for the space of that thousand years, in which Satan was bound: but yet excludeth not their eternal glory in the heavens.
Whereas it is said, this is the first resurrection, he meaneth the rising from sinne, to the life of righteousnesse, which was in the thousand yeeres, of the gospells preaching, and therefore hee addeth, that he is blessed that hath part in the first resurrection, &c. and saith, that all such shall raigne with Christ a thousand yeers. Which is meant of the raigne of the faithfull, euen vpon earth, for the space of that thousand yeeres, in which Sathan was bound: but yet excludeth not their eternall glory in the heauens.