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…

And verily through the gracious assistance of Gods Spirit, my simple purpose and endeavour is to give a lift to the uttermost of my power, to further that which is already happily begun, and to provoke others of greater gifts, to come after with their great lights and lanterns in their hands, to descry and discover whatsoever in this Prophecy is not yet fully seen into. I am not ignorant that some would not have this book meddled withal, nor in any wise to be expounded among the common people, because (say they) it is so dark and hard to understand. But let all such leave their own opinions, and hearken what the Holy Ghost saith. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this Prophecy, &c. What can be said more? or more effectually to stir us up to hear and read, and with all gladness to embrace this Book, then to tell us, that in so doing we shall be blessed? For the things contained in this book, be no trifles: they be not things only for a show to move wonderment, or to delight the curious mind of men: but such as indeed do give true blessedness unto all those that are well instructed in them. ⟨image 7⟩What thing is greater, then to be blessed for evermore? If we be not exceeding dull, yea, even like stocks and stones, it must needs move us and stir us up. For who will wittingly and willingly lose his own blessedness, or suffer it to be taken from him, when as he may have it? If any will object that a man may be blessed well enough without the knowledge of this book, and that there be Books enough in the Scripture, to procure our blessedness without this. And that thousands are now in Heaven, which never knew what this Book meant: I answer, that all this doth not take away the necessary use of this Book: for the holy Ghost doth pronounce a blessing upon the heads of those that Read and Study this Book, not because a man cannot be saved without it: But because of the great comfort which it ministereth unto us of this age, and hath ministered unto all the Churches since the Apostles times. For it is the Prophecy of this age, and the Prophecy of all the ages since Christ: Wherein is fully showed what shall be the estate and condition of the Church in the several Ages thereof, unto the end of the World.

And verily through the gratious assistance of Gods Spirit, my simple purpose and indeavour is to give a lift to the uttermost of my power, to further that which is already happily begun, and to provoke others of greater gifts, to come after with their great lights and lanthornes in their hands, to discry and discover whatsoever in this Prophesie is not yet fully seene into. I am not ignorant that some would not have this booke meddled withall, nor in any wise to be expounded among the common people, because (say they) it is so darke and hard to understand. But let all such leave their owne opinions, and hearken what the Holy Ghost saith. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that heare the words of this Prophesie, &c. What can be sayd more? or more effectually to stirre us up to heare and reade, and with all gladnes to imbrace this Booke, then to tell us, that in so doing wee shall bee blessed? For the things contayned in this booke, be no trifles: they be not things only for a shew to moove wonderment, or to delight the curious minde of men: but such as indeede doe give true blessednesse unto all those that are well instructed in them.