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…

Secondly, the merchants do weep and wail,¹ because no man buyeth their ware any more. These merchants are not named, but they may easily be known by their wares, which the holy Ghost describeth, to wit, that they be the Popish merchants, the shaven merchants, who are here brought in mourning and lamenting for the loss of their gain. The Monks, Friars, and Priests cannot have that utterance of their wares that in times past they have had; their wares are now out of request: their markets wax dead, and they have cold takings. When these fellows pass by the great Monasteries and Abbeys, and see them made ruinous heaps, and withal remember the fat revenues, the good cheer, the pleasure and delight which sometimes they have had in those places, it cuts their hearts, and maketh them shake their heads at it, saying, Alas, alas, ²that great city that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and gilded with gold, and precious stones and pearls; for in one hour so great riches are come to desolation. Mark then, that the ruin of their great city, with all the pomp, pleasure and riches thereof, is that which doth yet stick in their stomachs.

Secondly, the merchants doe weep and waile,¹ because no man buyeth their ware any more. These merchants are not named, but they may easily be knowne by their wares, which the holy Ghost describeth, to wit, that they be the Popish merchants, the shaven merchants, who are here brought in mourning and lamenting for the losse of their gaine. The Monks, Friars, and Priests cannot have that utterance of their wares that in times past they have had; their wares are now out of request: their markets waxe dead, and they have cold takings. When these fellowes passe by the great Monasteries and Abbeyes, and see them made ruinous heapes, and withall remember the fat revenues, the good cheer, the pleasure and delight which sometimes they have had in those places, it cuts their hearts, and maketh them shake their heads at it, saying, Alas, alas, ²that great city that was clothed in fine linnen, and purple, and scarlet, and gilded with gold, and precious stones and pearls; for in one hour so great riches are come to desolation. Mark then, that the ruine of their great city, with all the pomp, pleasure and riches thereof, is that which doth yet stick in their stomacks.