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…

Here we see how the Pope openeth hell gates with his Key, and a most horrible, gross and stinking smoke ascendeth up into the air presently upon it, insomuch that both the Sun and the Air were darkened with it. Which all is to be understood of that spiritual darkness, ignorance, superstition and Idolatry, wherewith the whole Church was over-spread, after the great Antichrist came to the possession of his cursed Chair, and was in his pride and height, ruling and reigning over the Kings of the earth. For then indeed the Sun was darkened and eclipsed; that is, the light of the Gospel was almost clean put out. For that which is spoken here of the darkening of the air and the Sun, is to be understood of a greater and more general darkness, than that which was mentioned in the former Chapter, wherein but a third part of the World was darkened. But now the Antichrist invadeth the Church, all is overspread with gross and palpable darkness, all is as dark as Pitch: no man can see where he is, or which way he goeth. For the whole air is ⟨p. 137⟩filled with this thick smoke, which came out of hell pit.

Here we see how the Pope openeth hell gates with his Key, and a most horrible, grosse and stinking smoke ascendeth up into the ayre presently upon it, insomuch that both the Sunne and the Ayre were darkened with it. Which all is to be understood of that spirituall darknesse, ignorance, superstition and Idolatry, wherewith the whole Church was over-spread, after the great Antichrist came to the possession of his cursed Chaire, and was in his pride and height, ruling and raigning over the Kings of the earth. For then indeed the Sunne was darkned and eclipsed; that is, the light of the Gospell was almost cleane put out. For that which is spoken heere of the darkening of the ayre and the Sunne, is to be understood of a greater and more generall darknesse, than that which was mentioned in the former Chapter, wherein but a third part of the World was darkned. But now the Antichrist invadeth the Church, all is overspread with grosse and palpable darknesse, all is as darke as Pitch: no man can see where he is, or which way he goeth. For the whole aire is ⟨p. 137⟩filled with this thicke smoke, which came out of hell pit.