A35689:519
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.
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.
That Christ hath his Angels joyned with him, is not to note any weaknesse or want of strength in Christ alone to overcome his enemies, but to shew, that as Christ effecteth great wonders in the world; so for the most part he doth it by instruments and meanes: 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 Divell and his instruments.
Well, here we see that these two Generals and grand Captains, Michael and the Dragon, do muster both their armies, join battle, and fight a pitched field, the event and success whereof is this, that the Dragon and his Angels go down. O blessed success may we say! For if the Devil had prevailed, it had been woe to us: sith this battle was about, and concerning the very salvation of mankind by Christs death and resurrection. We know how the Devil set upon Christ alone to tempt him unto sin, that so he might overthrow the work of our redemption, supposing in this combat or monomachy to have got the day: but ⟨p. 214⟩he prevailed not. Afterward, how strongly did he oppugn him by his Angels; I mean, the Scribes and Pharisees, the high Priests and Elders of the people; yea, all the Devils in hell, and his whole infernal army, not only in murdering and crucifying his natural body, but also in using all forcible and cunning means to keep him down, that he might never rise up again; as the great stone upon his tomb, the sealing of it, the watch set to keep it? For the Devil knew right well, that if Christ rose again, he should lose the field: For the resurrection of Christ is our actual justification, And Christ was mightily declared to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead.