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…

But if he look upon the whole course of matters through the book, and mark and observe diligently how things be iterated, he shall find no such darkness as he feareth, for there is a notable coherence of matters, and course of times observed in this book, even from the first Chapter unto the last, as God willing shall more fully and plainly appear in the particular opening and interpretation thereof. One great objection against this Prophecy is, that the Fathers profesie it is full of mysteries, and that they could not understand it. If they could not understand it say some, how shall we understand it? Is it not great arrogancy for for us to say we understand it better then they ⟨image 13⟩did. I answer no: For a man of mean learning in comparison, may now in these days more easily understand and expound this book, than the learned doctor, and Fathers in ancient time. The reason is this, we live in an age, wherein the most of the things Prophesied in this book are fulfilled. Now the fulfilling of a Prophecy is the best exposition of it. But as for the fathers, they lived in a time wherein many of these things were not come to pass nor fulfilled, and therefore more hard for them to interpret and understand, for these things in this prophecy which are not yet fulfilled, are hardest for us of this age to understand and resolve of. But when a Prophecy is fulfilled, it is an easy matter to say, this was the meaning of the Prophet. Some things in this book were fulfilled before the days of the Fathers, and some things in the days wherein they lived: and both those they did clearly understand. Some things were fulfilled after their days, as the rising and reigning of the great Antichrist: which they did not so clearly see into. Hereupon it cometh to pass that many things, which unto them were very obscure, are unto us most clear and manifest, […] being already fulfilled: insomuch that all which are not wilfully blinded may see and understand them, yea the most unlearned. ⟨image 13⟩Be not therefore discouraged (gentle Reader) at the darkness and difficulty of this book.

But if he looke upon the whole course of matters through the booke, and marke and observe diligently how things be iterated, hee shall finde no such darkenesse as he feareth, for there is a notable coherence of matters, and course of times observed in this booke, even from the first Chapter unto the last, as God willing shall more fully and plainely appeare in the particular opening and interpretation thereof. One great objection against this Prophesie is, that the Fathers profesie it is full of mysteries, and that they could not understand it. If they could not understand it say some, how shall wee understand it? Is it not great arrogancy for for us to say wee understand it better then they