A35689:116
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.
But Jesus Christ whose eyes are a flame of fire, and which searcheth the reins, cannot fail one jot, nor err a hairs breadth, as we say, either in commending or discommending, and therefore he stoppeth their mouths at the first dash, so as they can have nothing to reply, when he saith, I know thy works; I know well enough what thou art, and what thou hast been, I am not deceived in thee, I know thy sitting down and rising up, and am accustomed to all thy ways: And this briefly of the proportion. The narration (as is aforesaid) contained in the matter of the Epistles, consisting of praises and dispraises, admonitions, reprehensions, threats and promises.
But Jesus Christ whose eyes are a flame of fire, and which searcheth the reines, cannot faile one jot, nor erre a haires breadth, as we say, either in commending or discommending, and therefore he stoppeth their mouths at the first dash, so as they can have nothing to reply, when he saith, I know thy works; I know well enough what thou art, and what thou hast been, I am not deceived in thee, I know thy sitting downe and rising up, and am accustomed to all thy wayes: And this briefly of the proportion. The narration (as is aforesaid) contained in the matter of the Epistles, consisting of praises and dispraises, admonitions, reprehensions, threats and promises.
Touching the first, we find that some Churches are highly commended, others wholly discommended; others partly commended, partly discommended. As for example, The Pastor and people of Smyrna and Philadelphia, are generally commended for all things, and discommended for nothing, there is no fault found with them; that is no gross fault as in others; for they were not without common corruptions and infirmities. ⟨p. 42⟩The Minister of Smyrna was a very rare and excellent man, although a poor man to the world ward: For Christ saith thus unto him,1 I know thy poverty, but thou art rich; that is, rich in grace, and the manifold gifts of the Spirit. Thou hast done great service to the Church. Thou hast employed thy gifts to the good of many. Thou takest great pains in the Ministry, and art greatly blessed in thy labours; for thou hast an excellent flock, a notable good people, and therefore I cannot but greatly commend both thee and them. The Minister of Philadelphia was also a very worthy and notable man.