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…

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, ²The ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, are they which shall hate the whore, and make her desolate, and naked, and shall eat up her flesh, and burn her with fire. Here then it doth plainly appear, who they be that shall overthrow Rome, and by whom it shall be destroyed: to wit, by the ten kings of Europe, or kingdoms of Europe, which some very learned do reckon up to be these, ⟨p. 343⟩England, Scotland, Germany, France, Spain, Denmark, Sweveland, Poland, Russia, and Hungary. ^*Saint Johns words are plain, that these kingdoms which took part with the beast, shall take against her, and pull her down: But we know, that all the kingdoms of Europe did take part with her: Therefore it followeth, that all the kingdoms of Europe shall take against her. And therefore it is very probable, that in time^a France, Spain, and Italy shall turn against the beast. We know that the rest of the kingdoms are already turned against the beast, and the beast hath lost seven of his horns, the eighth, which is France, beginneth to be somewhat loose, and to shake a little, which if it fall off, the rest will follow after apace. The reason why the kingdoms which were subject to the Roman Empire are compared to horns, is, because that as horns are the strength and defence of a beast, wherewith also he pusheth down other creatures;