A35689:685
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.
as we have heard. Now then observe carefully,1 and note it diligently, that the frogs came forth upon the darkening of the kingdom of the beast, and the drying up of their Euphrates. For, who knoweth not, the Pope and his complices, perceiving the weakening and diminishing of their kingdom, have sent out these Jesuits and seminary Priests into all parts of Europe, to repair the ruins of Rome, if it were possible? and this is one circumstantial reason to prove these three frogs to be understood of the Jesuits. But let us proceed to open the whole description of the holy Ghost, that it may yet more plainly appear: First,2 these frogs are called unclean spirits, because they are the very limbs of the Devil, full of all filthiness and uncleanness. Secondly, they are called spirits, because they come out of the mouth of the Dragon, the ⟨p. 295⟩beast, and the false prophet. Thirdly, they are called three in number, being in truth nearer three thousand, because they proceed out of three several mouths, the Dragon, the beast, and the false prophet: that is, the Devil, the Roman Empire, and the Papacy: three horrible monsters, three terrible bug bears, which with one consent conspire together against the Gospel, to uphold their Babylon, and to stop the leak of their Euphrates. Now these three frogs are said to come out of the mouth of the Dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, because they come with the very mind and message of the Pope, and the Roman Empire, and so consequently, with the very mind and spirit of the Dragon. For they are the very breath of the Pope, and the spirits of the Devils, as like him, as if they had been spit out of his mouth. They are sent on the Devils errand, and the Popes embassage into all countries and kingdoms, and are taught their lesson what they shall say, and instructed what they shall do, and what courses they shall take with men, both kings, Nobles, and the meaner sort: and for this cause the holy Ghost saith, they came out of the very mouth, the very heart, and the very ⟨p. 296⟩bowels of the Pope, and of the Devil. And although these Jesuits and seminary Priests are called of the favourites, Catholic Doctors,3