A35689:111
The ruin of Rome, or, An exposition upon the whole Revelation wherein is plainly…The ruine of Rome, or, An exposition upon the whole Revelation wherein is plainly…
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 ... written especially for the comfort of Protestants and the daunting of papists ... / published by Arthur Dent ; to which is added an epitome of Reverend Mr. Brightman his Exposition upon the Revelation.The ruine of Rome, or, An exposition upon the whole Revelation wherein is plainly shewed and proved that the popish religion, together with all the power and authority of Rome, shall ebbe and decay ... written especially for the comfort of Protestants and the danting of papists ... / published by Authur Dent ; to which is added an epitome of Reverend Mr. Brightman his Exposition upon the Revelation.
London: printed by T.H. and I.Y. for Jo. Waterson, 1644
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.
The narration containeth the matter of each Epistle, and consisteth of commendations, and discommendations; of admonitions, reprehensions, threats and promises.
The conclusion of every Epistle is one and the same; in these words, Let him that hath an ear hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches.
First, concerning the person to whom these Epistles are sent, he is named in the beginning of every Epistle, To be the Angel of such and such a Church. By this word Angel, he means not the invisible spirits which we call the Angels of heaven, for the things attributed to these Angels, can in no wise agree to the invisible Spirits, as to the Angels of several Churches, to be neither hot nor cold, to leave their first love, to repent and amend, & sundry such like attributes through all these Epistles. But by the word Angel, he meaneth the Minister or Pastor of every Church: which therefore is called an Angel, because he is the Minister of GOD, as the word signifieth: As also because every faithful ⟨p. 36⟩Minister ought to be received and regarded as an Angel of God, as the Apostle witnesseth of the Galatians, that they received him as an Angel of God, yea as Christ Jesus. And he giveth many admonitions in his Epistles to this effect; for he would have all faithful and painful Ministers to be greatly reverenced and had in double honour; to be acknowledged and had in singular love for their works sake; to be cared for, to be made much of, and to want nothing: For indeed, a good Minister is a Jewell of price. A good Minister is a friend in Court, which we say is better then penny in purse. A good Minister is like a candle, which spendeth it self to give light to others. A good Minister is like a Cock, which by the clapping of his wings awaketh himself, and by his crowing awaketh others. For a good Minister by his private studies, prayers and meditations, awaketh himself, & by his public preaching awaketh others. The Scriptures affirmeth a good Minister to be the very glory of Christ. And again, that a good Minister is a singular blessing of God: