A35689:327
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.
The Pope is here compared to a Star, ⟨p. 132⟩as well as other godly Ministers in this book, because the Bishops of Rome at the first were godly and excellent men; for amongst the first thirty of them, there were some Martyrs. But it is here said, that now this Star was fallen from Heaven unto the Earth; that is, the Bishops of Rome were greatly degenerated and fallen clean away from heavenly things to earthly: for they declined from time to time, and grew worse and worse, so far as to become the great Antichrist.
The Pope is here compared to a Starre, ⟨p. 132⟩as well as other godly Ministers in this booke, because the Bishops of Rome at the first were godly and excellent men; for amongst the first thirty of them, there were some Martyrs. But it is heere sayd, that now this Starre was fallen from Heaven unto the Earth; that is, the Bishops of Rome were greatly degenerated and fallen cleane away from heavenly things to earthly: for they declined from time to time, and grew worse and worse, so farre as to become the great Antichrist.
But some man may say, Why may not this Star falling from Heaven upon the earth, be understood of other Pastors falling from the truth, as well as the Pope, as it is taken in the former Chapter, and in the twelfth Chapter, and the fourth verse? I answer, that the circumstances will not here bear it. Therefore to persuade every honest mans conscience, that this must needs be understood of the Pope in his pride, let us give ear to these three reasons following.
But some man may say, Why may not this Starre falling from Heaven upon the earth, be understood of other Pastors falling from the truth, as well as the Pope, as it is taken in the former Chapter, and in the twelfth Chapter, and the fourth verse? I answer, that the circumstances will not heere beare it. Therefore to perswade every honest mans conscience, that this must needs be understood of the Pope in his pride, let us give eare to these three reasons following.