A35689:50
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.
True it is indeed that there are but seven Churches named, but under these 7. Churches all others are comprehended. It had bin an infinite matter to reckon up all the particular Churches which were then in the world & to have opened their several estates: therefore under these seven Churches of Asia, and their particular & several estates, the state of the universal Church militant is laid open. I conclude therefore that the whole doctrine of Saint Johns Revelation, appertaineth to the Universal Church of Christ throughout all the World, and in all times and ages, since it was written and recorded. And that as all Scripture is written for our instruction and comfort:1 and as all Scripture given by divine inspiration, is profitable to teach and convince &c. so this book of the Apocalypse is written for the special comfort and instruction of the Church in these last days. And so I do conclude this fourth point. The fifth circumstantial point is, the end and use of this prophecy,2 which is to publish and blaze abroad the things which must shortly come to pass, that is, all things prophesied in this book, and to be fulfilled ⟨p. 11⟩even to the end of the World, and whereas he saith, that these things must come to pass, he doth us to understand how great the stableness, and assuredness of Gods determination is. For look what things are fore-appointed by Gods determinate purpose, they are altogether unchangeable: for the Lord is God, and he is not changed. And he saith: My determination shall stand. 3And Christ saith: Heaven and earth shall pass away, &c. It is therefore most certain, that every particular thing contained in this prophecy, shall be fulfilled in Gods appointed time. For GOD hath disclosed these things to h•s Son CHRIST, not to the end he should shut then up again in himself, but that he should show them forth to the Godly, that the whole Church might fare the better by them. It doth then stand us all upon to enquire and search into these things which must so shortly come to pass, that thereby we may be strengthened and comforted against all future dangers. And Christ saith: Behold I come shortly. Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the Prophecy, &c.