A35689:518
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 we are come to the third part of this chapter, which is the battle betwixt Christ and the Devil. For whereas the Dragon could not smother Christ in the cradle, as he endeavoured, and so deprive the Church of all her happiness for ever; now he proclaimeth open war, both against Christ and all his members, plotting and purposing to oppugn the very salvation of the Church, though it be founded in Christ. Wherein he showeth both his impudency and furious madness. Michael here signifieth Christ, as in Daniel, chap. 10. verse 13. This name is given to Christ in Daniel, because he is the first of the chief Princes; that is, he is the head of the Angels,1 who are chief Princes, as the Apostle affirmeth.
Now wee are come to the third part of this chapter, which is the battell betwixt Christ and the Divell. For whereas the Dragon could not smother Christ in the cradle, as hee endeavoured, and so deprive the Church of all her happinesse for ever; now he proclaimeth open war, both against Christ and all his members, plotting and purposing to oppugne the very salvation of the Church, though it be founded in Christ. Wherein hee sheweth both his impudency and furious madnesse. Michael here signifieth Christ, as in Daniel, chap. 10. verse 13. This name is given to Christ in Daniel, because hee is the first of the chiefe Princes; that is, hee is the head of the Angels,1 who are chiefe Princes, as the Apostle affirmeth.
That Christ hath his Angels joined with him, is not to note any weakness or want of strength in Christ alone to overcome his enemies, but to show, that as Christ effecteth great wonders in the world; so for the most part he doth it by instruments and means: as sometimes Angels, sometimes men. But here specially it meaneth the Apostles, and their successors: yea, and at this day all Christian kings, princes, and potentates of the earth, and all others, which take part with Christ against the Devil and his instruments.