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…

Now, having showed the reason why Rome is called Babylon, and what is meant by Rome, we are to proceed to the first point; which is to prove, that Babylon in this place signifieth Rome; which, although it be granted of all sound Divines, and avouched in the writings of the best learned, both new and old, so as it shall need no great proof; yet will I add three or four reasons out of this book, to make it more plain and apparent. First therefore, I do thus reason out of the seventeenth chapter and last verse, Babylon ⟨p. 280⟩is that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth: But there was no other city which did reign over the kings of the earth when John wrote this book, but only Rome: Therefore Rome is Babylon. For as for Jerusalem, it was at that time made an heap of stones. The first proposition is avouched by the Angel of God, expounding unto John what is meant by the great whore, whose damnation he had showed him before; and by the woman which sate upon a scarlet coloured beast. The woman which thou sawest, ¹saith the Angel to Saint John, is that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth: that is to say, Rome, or the Romish synagogue and malignant Church. For the Angel could not speak more plainly, except he should have named Rome, then to say thus; The woman, the great whore of Babylon is the great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth. For if one should say, The great city of England; every man knoweth that thereby is meant London: if one should say, The great city of France; every one knoweth that thereby is meant Paris: so when the Angel saith, The great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth: all that lived in those times knew ⟨p. 281⟩that thereby was meant Rome: ²for Rome was the chief city of the Monarchy, and is put in this book for the whole Monarchy, and the religion thereof, as hath been said before.

Now, having shewed the reason why Rome is called Babylon, and what is meant by Rome, we are to proceed to the first point; which is to prove, that Babylon in this place signifieth Rome; which, although it be granted of all sound Divines, and avouched in the writings of the best learned, both new and old, so as it shall need no great proof; yet will I add three or foure reasons out of this book, to make it more plain and apparant. First therefore, I do thus reason out of the seventeenth chapter and last verse, Babylon