A35689:61
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.
Moreover, the authority of this Prophecy is confirmed by four reasons in the last Chapter. The first is the affirmation of the Angel: who saith, The words are faithful and true. 1The second is the authority of the most high GOD himself in these words, The Lord GOD of the holy Prophets sent his Angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be fulfilled. The third is the testimony of Jesus,2 who pronounceth them blessed which keep the words of this Prophecy. For, saith he, Behold I come shortly: Blessed is he that keepeth the words of this Prophecy. The fourth and last is the witness of John, in these words: I am John which heard and saw these things. Now it may be demanded, what is the cause that here are so many things heaped up for the confirmation of the authority of this Book. Surely we must think there is some special cause and reason of it. For the Holy Ghost doth not use to deal so much and so earnestly in a matter, but upon great cause. We may easily gather what the cause is. The Book painteth out the Whore ⟨p. 18⟩of Babylon, and the whole Kingdom of the great Antichrist, together with all Satan's cunning and sleight therein, and for this cause Satan hath laboured especially to weaken the credit and authority of this Book. He by some means in old time prevailed thus far, that even among some Churches of true Christians, the authority and truth of it was doubted of. The Holy Ghost did well foresee the practice of Satan, and therefore bringeth the more reasons for the confirmation thereof. If the credit and authority of this Book should never have been impugned, there needed not any such special confirmation. But now (God be thanked) there is no question or controversy concerning the authority of this Prophecy. It is received as authentical by the common consent of all the Churches. Almost all the ancient Fathers do acknowledge it to be canonical. The new Writers do with one voice give their consent and approbation unto it. The Papists themselves do acknowledge it to be the sacred and undoubted Word of God; though of all Scriptures they cannot endure it should be meddled withal, because it cutteth them so near the bone.
Moreover, the authority of this Prophesie is confirmed by foure reasons in the last Chapter. The first is the affirmation of the Angell: who saith, The words are faithfull and true.