A35689:22
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 I will now proceed to a new reason, to prove that this Book of the Revelation ought not to be concealed: but openly preached and published to the whole Church of God in this age. My reason is taken out of the 22. Chapter of this Book, verse 10. in these words, Seal not the words of the Prophecy of this Book, for the time is at hand. Here is a flat commandment from God, that this Book and Doctrine of it may not be sealed up, that is to say, kept close from the knowledge of Gods people: but it must lie always unsealed, that all men may open it, read it and see what is in it: for it is a borrowed speech taken from sealing of Letters. For we all know, that wooing Letters are sealed, none may open them, or read them, but only those whom it doth concern: ⟨image 10⟩but if they be of purpose left unsealed, then any man may read them without danger: So the Lord willeth and commandeth that this Book of the Revelation should of purpose be left unsealed, that all the people of God might read it, study it, and know it. If any man doubt whether the Metaphor of sealing be thus taken in the Scripture, let him read the places quoted in the Margin, and in all those places he shall find it taken in this sense. Whereby it doth evidently appear, that the mind and meaning of God is, that this Book should be proclaimed and published in all the Churches. And upon this ground,1 I hold that every Minister of the Gospel standeth bound as much as in him lieth, to preach the Doctrine of the Apocalypse to his particular charge and congregation: for every Minister of the Gospel must show unto his people all the couns•ll of God, and keep back nothing: as Paul testifieth that he did, to the great comfort of his conscience. But the doctrine of the Revelation is a part and parcel of the Counsel and Will of God: therefore it must not be concealed or kept back from the knowledge of the people of God. And in these days I think it not only meet and convenient that it should be so, but in truth absolutely necessary.
But I will now proceed to a new reason, to prove that this Booke of the Revelation ought not to be concealed: but openly preached and published to the whole Church of God in this age. My reason is taken out of the 22. Chapter of this Booke, verse 10. in these words, Seale not the words of the Prophesie of this Booke, for the time is at hand. Here is a flat commandement from God, that this Booke and Doctrine of it may not bee sealed up, that is to say, kept close from the knowledge of Gods people: but it must lie alwaies unsealed, that all men may open it, reade it and see what is in it: for it is a borrowed speech taken from sealing of Letters. For we all know, that wooing Letters are sealed, none may open them, or reade them, but onely those whom it doth concerne: