A35689:695
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.
First, here Rome is described as she was in the height and top of her pride and security, when she held the dominion of the kings of the earth, and boasted that she was the head of the Catholic Church, carrying her self very insolently above all kings and Emperors, treading upon their necks, and ⟨p. 306⟩making them attend at her gates bare-foot in the middest of winter, as the stories report. Yea, and that she was no widow; that is, no solitary or desolate person, but one that had many lovers which were strong to defend her, so as she should feel no want, nor see any sorrow. But the time will come, and draweth on apace, wherein she shall be throughly punished for her haughtiness, and intolerable pride and security: For the holy Ghost saith, her plagues shall come in one day; that is, suddenly, shortly, and speedily, even death, sorrow, and famine, and she shall be burnt with fire; for that God which condemneth her is a strong Lord. If this be not plain enough to prove an utter overthrow of Rome, I know not what can be plain enough. For if death, famine, and fire will not pull her down, I know not what shall pull her down. But Saint John saith flatly, that God himself, who is a strong Lord, will oppose himself against Rome, and condemn her. Who can uphold her? Can the king of Spain? can the Cardinals? can the Emperor? can all the Dukes of Italy, and all the potentates of the earth that take part with her? No, no, they are all too weak. For if God take against a man, 1who can reclaim ⟨p. 307⟩him, saith the holy Ghost? For he doth whatsoever he will. And again, God is wise in heart, and mighty in strength; who ever hardened his heart against him and prospered? If God call not back his anger, the most proud hearts are bowed under him. And God saith in Ezek. 22. Can thy hands be strong, or can thy heart endure in the day that I shall have to do with thee? Then it followeth, that though Babylon fit as a Queen, and all her lovers take part with her, yet because the strong Lord is against her, therefore she shall come to utter destruction.
First, here Rome is described as shee was in the height and top of her pride and security, when shee held the dominion of the kings of the earth, and boasted that she was the head of the Catholick Church, carrying her selfe very insolently above all kings and Emperors, treading upon their necks, and