A35689:735
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.
The sense is, that these ten kingdoms had not received such power and authority under the Emperors, as they should under the Popes, for there was great difference in these kingdoms under the Popes, from that which they had been under the Emperors. For they received far greater power, and they carried another mind toward the Papacy, then the nations did before toward the Empire: for they did submit themselves to the Papacy for conscience and love, even as to the holy Church, which they never did to the Empire.
The sense is, that these ten kingdomes had not received such power and authority under the Emperors, as they should under the Popes, for there was great difference in these kingdoms under the Popes, from that which they had been under the Emperors. For they received far greater power, and they carried another mind toward the Papacy, then the nations did before toward the Empire: for they did submit themselves to the Papacy for conscience and love, even as to the holy Church, which they never did to the Empire.
And this is the reason why the holy Ghost saith, They had not received a kingdom, but should receive power as kings at an hour with the beast. Which is not to be understood simply, but after a sort; for they had ⟨p. 342⟩received kingdoms under the Emperors, but not in such sort as afterward they did under the Popes. For the Roman Monarchy under the dominion of the Popes was in his greatest height and altitude, and the Kings of Europe grew up together with the Papacy in power, might, and dominion. And Saint John addeth,1 that these ten kings or kingdoms were all of one mind, and did give their power and authority unto the beast: that is, they did with might and main labour to uphold the Babylonicall strumpet. But the Angel telleth John flatly, that the ten horns, that is, the ten kingdoms of the Empire, which before had given their names, their power, and authority to the beast, to uphold her and defend her, should now in these last days all change their minds, and turn against her. For, saith the Angel to John,