A20217:88
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.
Concerning his provident care over his faithful Ministers, he is said to carry them in his right hand: for he had in his right hand seven stars: that is, vers. 16 vers. 20 the Ministers of the churches. As Christ saith; the seven stars are the Angels; that is, the Ministers of the seven churches. Ministers are compared to stars, because they should shine as bright stars in this dark world, both by life and doctrine.
Concerning his prouident care ouer his faithfull Ministers, he is said to carry them in his right hand: for hee had in his right hand seuen starres: that is, vers. 16 vers. 20 the Ministers of the churches. As Christ saith; the seuen starres are the Angels; that is, the Ministers of the seuen churches. Ministers are compared to starres, because they should shine as bright starres in this darke world, both by life and doctrine.
Christ is said to hold them in his right hand, because he always defendeth them against the malice & fury of the world, which of all others is most outrageously bent against them, and their favourites. But let men take heed of over bold presuming to pull the stars out of Christs right hand, least they smart for it. The world is very busy this way, they think to wring them out of his hands; but alas poor souls they are not able, he holdeth them too fast, who can pull them out of his right hand? If they continue bold and busy this way, they may hap at last take a bear by the tooth, and peradventure pull an old house upon their heads. An other reason why Christ is said to hold the 7. stars in his right hand is, because he worketh by them, and their ministry, as an Artificer with his tool in his right hand. The things which Christ hath done by these instruments are glorious and admirable. For by the ministry of the Gospel he hath converted many sinners, & saved many souls, then the which nothing can be more ⟨p. 24⟩honourable & wonderful: and therefore the word of God which is the Ministers weapon, is compared to a sharp two edged sword, vers. 16 which came out of Christs mouth.
Christ is said to hold them in his right hand, because he alwaies defendeth them against the malice & fury of the world, which of all others is most outragiously bent against them, and their fauorites. But let men take heed of ouer bold presuming to pul the starres out of Christs right hand, least they smart for it. The world is very busie this way, they thinke to wring them out of his hands; but alas poore soules they are not able, he holdeth them too fast, who can pull them out of his right hand? If they continue bold and busie this way, they may hap at last take a beare by the tooth, and peraduenture pull an olde house vpō their heads. An other reason why Christ is said to holde the 7. starres in his right hand is, because he worketh by them, and their ministrie, as an Artificer with his toole in his right hande. The things which Christ hath done by these instrumēts are glorious and admirable. For by the ministery of the Gospell he hath cōuerted many sinners, & saued many soules, then the which nothing can be more