A35689:727
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.
Doth not Italy, Spain, the greatest part of France, and Netherland, and Germany stand for her defence? Hath not the whore still many and great bearers and upholders? What likelihood is there then that ever she shall be brought so low as you speak of? I answer, that in this case we must not ask the question,1 What likelihood? We must not consult with flesh and blood: we must not take counsel of humane reason: For God is marvellous in his devices, and when he hath once decreed and determined of any future event, ⟨p. 331⟩he will compass it by means far surpassing all humane reach and capacity; yea, by such plots and devices, as mans wit could never have once dreamed of. For he hath all means in heaven and earth in his hands, and is admirable in all his proceedings: and therefore we may not ask this question, What likelihood, or how can it be, or how can it possibly come to pass? What likelihood was there an hundred years past, when Rome was in her delight, and all the kingdoms of Europe stood for her, that ever she should have been forsaken of so many of her old friends, as at this day she is? What likelihood was there, that when the Pope could command the Emperor, and all the Kings of Europe, and their kingdoms, that ever he should have been brought so low as at this day he is, God be thanked? What likelihood was there that ever poor Martin Luther should stand out with the everlasting Gospel in his mouth against the Pope, Emperor, and as it were, the whole world, and yet die in his bed in a good old age? What likelihood was there that King Henry the eighth, of famous memory, should renounce Rome, oppose himself against the Pope, and suppress the Abbeys, ⟨p. 332⟩Priories, and Monasteries in this kingdom, and take their lands and livings into his own hands? Therefore I conclude, that when God hath decreed the utter overthrow of Rome, we must not ask this question, How can it be? or which way shall it be brought about? For the Scriptures do teach, that God in all ages hath done the greatest exploits, either by himself alone without means, or else by weak means, or contrary to all means.
Doth not Italy, Spaine, the greatest part of France, and Netherland, and Germany stand for her defence? Hath not the whore still many and great bearers and upholders? What likelyhood is there then that ever she shall be brought so low as you speak of? I answer, that in this case wee must not ask the question,