A35689:21
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.
And therefore very needful it is, that it should be expounded again and again, and all the Lords people made throughly acquainted with it. For in this age wherein we live, this Prophecy can never be enough opened and beaten upon, that all good Protestants may be armed with it against future times, even as it were with an armour of proof. Saint John plainly telleth the people of his time, even the Churches of Asia, that they should be blessed by reading and studying this Book, because they should thereby be fore-warned and fore-armed ⟨image 9⟩against many eminent troubles and future dangers. For saith he, The time is at hand: that is to say, some things were even then to be fulfilled, For some matters foretold in this book, did begin to be fulfilled, even presently after they were showed unto John: for the Mystery of iniquity did even then begin to work. The Church in the Apostles time had her conflicts. The Ten great persecutions began even then to be raised up. Heresies shortly after began to spring and sprout. Afterwards by degrees, the great Antichrist did approach toward his cursed seat. And after all this, Saint John foretelleth how he should take possession of his abominable and most execrable seat and sea of Rome: How he should reign and rule for a time as the Monarchy of the world: How he should prevail against the Church, and make war against the Saints: How he should reign but a short time, and afterward come tumbling down, as fast as ever he rose up, and decrease as fast as ever he increased. Therefore Blessed is he (saith S. John) that diligently readeth and peruseth this book, that thereby he may foresee all these things, and be armed against them. For as the heathen man saith, Levius laedit quicquid previderis ante. Foreseeing dangers do least hurt. Now to apply all this to our ⟨image 10⟩times I say they are twice happy that are studious and painful in searching out the true sense and meaning of this Prophecy, that thereby they may be strengthened against all the assaults of the Papists our professed enemies, and the enemies of Gods Church, and stick fast to the everlasting truth of God, knowing for a certainty that the sons of Belial shall not long prevail.1 The date of their reign is almost out, and the time draweth on apace, wherein both they and their King Abaddon shall be laid in the dust.