A35689:43
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.
Now followeth the second circumstance, which is the time when John received this Prophecy, which is noted to be upon the Lords day. It is the day which S. Paul to the Corinthians calleth the first day of the week: in which the Churches did meet for the holy exercises in Religion: which is also evident, because he saith they came together to break bread. Now the observation of a seventh day is of divine institution,1 even from the beginning. It is natural, moral, and perpetual: for God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it. We are therefore to think, that although John now in his exile was absent in body from the Church assemblies, yet he was present with them in spirit, commending them most earnestly unto God in his holy prayers, and meditations: and therefore it is said, that he ⟨p. 6⟩was ravished in the Spirit upon the Lords day. So we read, that the like befell unto Daniel, when he was prisoner in Babylon: the like befell unto Ezekiel, who was taken by the Spirit in the visions of God,2 and carried to Jerusalem: the like to Peter, the like to Paul. But the special reason of Johns ravishment in the spirit at this time was, that thereby he might be made more fit and capable to receive and understand all those great mysteries and heavenly visions, which now should be showed unto him. And withal let us observe, that all men are always most capable of heavenly things, when they are most in the Spirit: For God doth evermore most reveal himself to such as are most in prayer, reading and meditation: and to such as make greatest conscience to spend his Sabbaths Christianly, and religiously, according to his great commandment. And let us always be sure of this, that the more fervent and zealous we are in religious duties, the more familiar acquaintance we shall find with God, and he will at all times be the more open-hearted unto us, and will hide nothing from us that may be for his glory, and our good. For such as are much in heavenly contemplation, he doth reckon not ⟨p. 7⟩amongst his servants,3 but amongst his dearest friends, to whom he will make known all things that he hath heard of his Father.