A35689:592
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.
In the tenth verse the judgment and vengeance of God is denounced against the Roman Monarchy, both former and later; which, as it hath long oppressed the Church with cruel bondage, and drawn thousands into perpetual captivity; so it self also should be cast down, with all the adherents thereof, both in this life, and that which is to come. For, as the Roman Empire did tyrannize over the world, & led millions into spiritual captivity and bondage: so here it is avouched, that according to the just law of quittance, it should be brought to the same lore. And as this beast had murdered many by the sword, so he himself must be murdered by the sword also; as the Apostle saith,1 God is just, and therefore will recompense tribulation to them that trouble his Church. Now all this seemeth unto me to be a clear prophecy of the fall and final destruction of the Roman Empire, which indeed, considering the pitch that it was at, may seem a thing strange and incredible: and therefore the holy Ghost stirreth us up to attention in the 9th verse, as to a thing of great wonderment and admiration: for if the Roman Monarchy fall, the Papacy must of necessity fall with it. For the Roman Empire is that beast ⟨p. 243⟩which beareth up the whore of Babylon, as appeareth in the seventeenth chapter of this Prophecy, where we shall (God willing) plainly and at large hear of the joint destruction of them both together.
In the tenth verse the judgment and vengeance of God is denounced against the Roman Monarchy, both former and later; which, as it hath long oppressed the Church with cruell bondage, and drawne thousands into perpetuall captivity; so it selfe also should be cast down, with all the adherents thereof, both in this life, and that which is to come. For, as the Roman Empire did tyrannize over the world, & led millions into spirituall captivity and bondage: so here it is avouched, that according to the just law of quittance, it should be brought to the same lore. And as this beast had murdered many by the sword, so hee himself must be murdered by the sword also; as the Apostle saith,1 God is just, and therefore will recompence tribulation to them that trouble his Church. Now all this seemeth unto mee to be a cleer prophesie of the fall and finall destruction of the Roman Empire, which indeed, considering the pitch that it was at, may seem a thing strange and incredible: and therefore the holy Ghost stirreth us up to attention in the 9th verse, as to a thing of great wonderment and admiration: for if the Roman Monarchy fall, the Papacy must of necessity fall with it. For the Roman Empire is that beast