Apocalypsis A brief and learned commentary upon the revelation of Saint John the apostle…Apocalypsis A briefe and learned commentarie vpon the reuelation of Saint Iohn the apostle…
Apocalypsis A brief and learned commentary upon the revelation of Saint John the apostle and evangelist, applied unto the history of the Catholic and Christian Church. Written in Latin by M. Francis Junius Doctor of Divinity, and professor in the University of Heidelberg: And translated into English for the benefit of those that understand not the Latin.Apocalypsis A briefe and learned commentarie vpon the reuelation of Saint Iohn the apostle and euangelist, applyed vnto the history of the Catholicke and Christian Church. Written in Latine by M. Francis Iunius Doctor of Diuinitie, and professor in the Vniuersitie of Heidelberge: And translated into English for the benefit of those that vnderstand not the Latine.
Franciscus Junius 1545–1602London: printed by Richard Field for Robert Dexter, 1592
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.
1 The Lamb standeth on mount Zion, 4 with his chaste worshippers. 6 One Angel preacheth the Gospel: 8 an other foretelleth the fall of Babylon: 9 the third warneth that the beast be avoided. 13 A voice from heaven pronounceth them happy who die in the Lord. 16 The Lords sickle is thrust into the harvest. 18 and into the vintage.
1 The Lambe standeth on mount Sion, 4 with his chast worshippers. 6 One Angel preacheth the Gospel: 8 an other foretelleth the fall of Babylon: 9 the third warneth that the beast be auoyded. 13 A voyce from heauen pronounceth thē happie who die in the Lord. 16 The Lords sickle is thrust into the haruest. 18 and into the vintage.
1 12Then I looked, and lo, a Lamb 2stood on mount Zion, and with him 3an hundred, forty and four thousand, having his Fathers Name written in their foreheads.
1 12THen I looked, and lo, a Lamb 2stoode on mount Sion, and with him 3an hundreth, fourtie and foure thousand, hauing his Fathers Name written in their foreheads.
1The history of the church of Christ being finished for more then a thousand and three hundred years, at which time Boniface the eight lived, as before hath been said: there remaineth the rest of the history of the conflicting or militant Church from thence unto the time of the last victory, in three Chapters. For first of all, as the foundation of the whole history, is described the standing of the Lamb with his army and retinue, in five verses: after, his worthy acts, which he hath done and vet doth, in most mighty manner, whilst he overthroweth Antichrist with the spirit of his mouth, in the rest of this Chapter, and in the two following. Unto the description of the Lamb are propounded three things, his situation, place and attendancie: for the rest are expounded in the former visions, especially upon the fifth Chapter.
The historie of the church of Christ being finished for more then a thousand and three hundreth yeres, at which time Boniface the eight liued, as before hath bene said: there remaineth the rest of the historie of the conflicting or militant Church from thence vnto the time of the last victorie, in three Chapters. For first of all, as the foundation of the whole historie, is described the standing of the Lambe with his armie and retinue, in fiue verses: after, his worthie actes, which he hath done and vet doth, in most mightie manner, whilest he ouerthroweth Antichrist with the spirit of his mouth, in the rest of this Chapter, and in the two following. Vnto the description of the Lambe are propounded three things, his situation, place and attendancie: for the rest are expounded in the former visions, especially vpon the fift Chapter.
2F. IVNIVS.
2As ready girt to do his office (as Acts 5. 56.) in the middest of his Church, which afore time mount Zion did prefigure.As readie girt to do his office (as Actes 5. 56.) in the middest of his Church, which afore time mount Sion did prefigure.
3As before 7 2. This retinue of the Lamb is described first by divine mark (as before 7. 2.) in this verse. Then by his divine occupation, in that all and every one in his retinue most vehemently & sweetly (vers. 2.) do glorify the Lamb with a special song before God and his elect Angels: which song flesh & blood cannot hear, nor understand, verse 3. Lastly by their deeds done before, and their sanctification, in that they were virgins, pure from spiritual and bodily fornication, that is, from impiety & unrighteousness; that they followed the Lamb as a guide unto all goodness, and cleaved unto him: that they are holy unto him, as of grace redeemed by him: that in truth, & in the simplicity of Christ, they have exercised all these things; sanctimony of life, the direction of the Lamb, a thankful remembrance of redemption by him: finally (to conclude in a word) that they are blameless before the Lord. ver. 4. & 5.As before 7 2. This retinue of the Lambe is described first by diuine marke (as before 7. 2.) in this verse. Then by his diuine occupation, in that all and euerie one in his retinue most vehemently & sweetly (vers. 2.) do glorifie the Lambe with a speciall song before God and his elect Angels: which song flesh & bloud cannot heare, nor vnderstand, verse 3. Lastly by their deedes done before, and their sanctification, in that they were virgins, pure from spirituall and bodily fornicatiō, that is, from impietie & vnrighteousnes; that they folowed the Lambe as a guide vnto all goodnesse, and cleaued vnto him: that they are holy vnto him, as of grace redeemed by him: that in truth, & in the simplicitie of Christ, they haue exercised all these things; sanctimonie of life, the direction of the Lamb, a thankful remēbrance of redēption by him: finally (to conclude in a word) that they are blamelesse before the Lord. ver. 4. & 5.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
2 And I heard a voyce from heauen, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of a great thunder: and I heard the voyce of harpers harping with their harpes:
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the Elders: and no man could learn that song, but ⟨p. 55⟩the hundred, forty and four thousand, namely they which were bought out of the earth.
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the foure beasts, and the Elders: and no mā could learne that song, but ⟨p. 55⟩the hundreth, fourtie and foure thousand, namely they which were bought out of the earth.
4 These are they, which are not defiled with women; for they are virgins: these follow the Lamb, whither soever he goeth: these are bought from amongst men, to be as first fruits, holy unto God, and to the Lamb:
4 These are they, which are not defiled with women; for they are virgins: these follow the Lamb, whither soeuer he goeth: these are bought from amongst men, to be as first fruites, holy vnto God, and to the Lambe:
6 4¶ Then I saw 5another Angel fly through the mids of Heaven, having an everlasting Gospel, to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, & tongue, and people,
6 4¶ Then I saw 5another Angel fly through the mids of Heauen, hauing an euerlasting Gospell, to preach vnto them that dwell on the earth, and to euery nation, and kinred, & tongue, and people,
4The other part (as I said on the first ver.) is of the acts of the Lamb, the manner whereof is delivered in two sorts; of his speech and of his facts. His speeches are set forth unto the 13. verse of this chapter; & his facts unto the 16. chapter. In the speech of the Lamb, which is the word of the Gospel, are taught in this place these things: The service of the godly consisting inwardly of reverence towards God; and outwardly of the glorifying of him: the visible sign of which is adoration verse 7. The overthrowing of wicked Babylon, verse. 8. and the fall of every one of the ungodly which worship the beast, verse 9. 10. 11. Finally the state of the holy servants of God both present, verse 12. and to come, most blessed, according to the promise of God. verse 13.The other part (as I said on the first ver.) is of the actes of the Lambe, the manner whereof is deliuered in two sortes; of his speach and of his factes. His speaches are set forth vnto the 13. verse of this chapter; & his factes vnto the 16. chapter. In the speach of the Lambe, which is the word of the Gospel, are taught in this place these things: The seruice of the godly consisting inwardly of reuerence towards God; and outwardly of the glorifying of him: the visible signe of which is adoration verse 7. The ouerthrowing of wicked Babylon, verse. 8. and the fall of euerie one of the vngodly which worship the beast, verse 9. 10. 11. Finally the state of the holy seruants of God both present, verse 12. and to come, most blessed, according to the promise of God. verse 13.
5This Angel is a type or figure of the good and faithful servants of God, whom God especially from the time of that Boniface the eighth, hath raised up to the publishing of the Gospel of Christ, both by preaching and by writing. So God first, near unto the time of the same Boniface used Peter Cassiodorus an Italian; after, Arnold de villa nova, a French man; then Ockam, Dante, Petrarch; after that Johannes de rupe caesa a Franciscan; after again, John Wycliffe English-man, and so continually one or another, unto the restoring of the truth, and enlarging of his Church.This Angell is a type or figure of the good and faithfull seruaunts of God, whom God especially from the time of that Boniface the eighth, hath raised vp to the publishing of the Gospell of Christ, both by preaching and by writing. So God first, neare vnto the time of the same Boniface vsed Peter Cassiodorus an Italian; after, Arnold de villa noua, a French man; then Ockam, Dante, Petrarch; after that Iohannes de rupe caesa a Franciscane; after againe, Iohn Wickliffe English-man, and so continually one or another, vnto the restoring of the truth, and enlarging of his Church.
7 ‖Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him: for the hour of his judgement is come: and worship him that made ‖heaven and earth, & the sea, and the fountains of waters.
7 ‖Saying with a loud voyce, Feare God, and giue glorie to him: for the houre of his iudgement is come: and worship him that made ‖heauen and earth, & the sea, and the fountaines of waters.
8 And there followed another Angel, saying, ‖6Babylon that great city is fallen, it is fallen: for ⟨p. 56⟩she made all nations to drink of the wine of the 3awrath of her fornication.
8 And there followed another Angel, saying, ‖6Babylon that great citie is fallē, it is fallen: for ⟨p. 56⟩she made all nations to drinke of the wine of the 3awrath of her fornication.
6That is, Babylon is destroyed by the sentence and judgement of God: the execution where of S. John describeth chap. 18. And this voice of the ministers of Christ hath continued since the time that Babylon (which is Rome) hath by deliberate counsell and manifest malice oppugned the light of the Gospel offered from God.That is, Babylon is destroyed by the sentence and iudgement of God: the execution where of S. Iohn describeth chap. 18. And this voyce of the ministers of Christ hath continued since the time that Babylon (which is Rome) hath by deliberate counsell and manifest malice oppugned the light of the Gospell offered from God.
9 ¶ And the third Angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, 7If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or on his hand,
9 ¶ And the third Angel followed them, saying with a loud voyce, 7If any man worship the beast and his image, and receiue his marke in his forehead, or on his hand,
7That is, shall not worship God alone, but shall transfer his divine honour unto this beast, whether he do it with his heart or counterfeiting in show. For he (saith Christ) that denieth me before men, him will I deny before my father & his Angels, Matth. 10. 32. And this is that voice of the holy ministry, which at this time is very much used of the holy and faithful servants of God. For having now sufficiently found out the public obstinacy of Babylon, they labour not any longer to thunder out against the same: but to sa•e some particular member by terror (as Saint jude speaketh) and to pluck them out of the public flame: or else by a vehement commiseration of their estate, to lead them away; they set before them eternal death, into which they rush unawares, unless in goodtime they return unto God: but the godly which are of their own flock, they exhort unto patience, obedience, and faith in the Lord Jesus, and charge them to give light, by their example of good life, unto others.That is, shall not worship God alone, but shall transferre his diuine honour vnto this beast, whether he do it with his heart or counterfaiting in shew. For he (saith Christ) that denieth me before mē, him will I deny before my father & his Angels, Matth. 10. 32. And this is that voyce of the holy ministerie, which at this time is verie much vsed of the holie and faithfull seruaunts of God. For hauing now sufficiently found out the publicke obstinacie of Babylon, they labour not anie longer to thunder out against the same: but to sa•e some particular member by terror (as Saint iude speaketh) and to plucke them out of the publicke flame: or else by a vehement commiseration of their estate, to leade them away; they set before them eternall death, into which they rush vnwares, vnlesse in goodtime they returne vnto God: but the godly which are of their owne flocke, they exhort vnto patience, obedience, and faith in the Lord Iesus, and charge them to giue light, by their example of good life, vnto others.
10 He also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, even of the mere wine, which is poured into the cup of his wrath; and shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the sight of the holy Angels, and in the sight of the Lamb.
10 He also shal drink of the wine of the wrath of God, euen of the mere wine, which is powred into the cup of his wrath; and shalbe tormented with fire and brimstone in the sight of the holy Angels, and in the sight of the Lambe.
11 And the smoke of their torment shall ascend up for evermore: and they shall have no rest day nor night, which worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the print of his name.
11 And the smoke of their tormēt shal ascend vp for euermore: and they shall haue no rest day nor night, which worshippe the beast and his image, and whosoeuer receiueth the print of his name.
12 8Here is the patience of the Saints here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
12 8Here is the patience of the Saintes here are they that keep the commandements of God, and the faith of Iesus.
8The patience, sanctification and justification by faith: the consequents whereof are, rest, felicity, and glory eternal, in the he avenly fellowship of God and his Angels.The patience, sanctification and iustification by faith: the consequents whereof are, rest, felicitie, and glorie eternall, in the he auenly fellowship of God and his Angels.
13 Then I heard a voice out of heaven, saying unto me, Write; Blessed from henceforth are the dead which die bin the Lord, Yea, saith the Spirit for they ‖rest from their labours, & their cworks follow them.
13 Then I heard a voyce out of heauē, saying vnto me, Write; Blessed from henceforth are the dead which die bin the Lord, Yea, saith the Spirit for they ‖rest from their labors, & their cworks follow them.
14 9¶ And I looked, and behold 10a white cloud; and upon the cloud sate one like unto a man, 11having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a 12sharp sickle.
14 9¶ And I looked, and behold 10a white cloud; and vpon the cloud sate one like vnto a man, 11hauing on his head a golden crowne, and in his hand a 12sharpe sickle.
9The second part of this Chapter, as I said verse 1. Of the acts & doings of Christ in overthrowing of Antichrist and his Church, by the spirit of his divine mouth: seeing that having been called back by word both publicly and privately unto his duty, and admonished of his most certain ruin: he yet ceaseth not to maintain and protect his own adherents that they may do him service: and to afflict the godly with most barbarous persecutions. Of those things which Christ doth, there are two kinds; one common or general, in the rest of this Chapter; another particular, against that savage and rebellious beast, and his worshippers, in the 15. and 16. Chapters. That common kind, is the calamity of wars, spread abroad through the whole earth, & filling all things with blood, & that without respect of any person. This is figured or shadowed out in two types, of the harvest and vintage. Since the time that the light of the Gospel began to shine out; and since prophecie or preaching by the grace of God was raised up again, how horrible wars have been kindled in the world? how much humane flesh hath been thrown to the earth, by this divine reaping? how much blood (alas for woe) hath over flown for these three hundred years almost? all histories do cry out, and this our age (if ever before) is now in horror, by reason of the rage of that sickle which Antichrist calleth for. In this place is the first type, that is, of the harvest.The second part of this Chapter, as I said verse 1. Of the actes & doings of Christ in ouerthrowing of Antichrist and his Church, by the spirit of his diuine mouth: seing that hauing bene called backe by word both publiquely and priuately vnto his dutie, and admonished of his most certaine ruine: he yet ceasseth not to maintaine and protect his owne adherents that they may do him seruice: and to afflict the godly with most barbarous persecutions. Of those things which Christ doth, there are two kindes; one common or generall, in the rest of this Chapter; another particular, against that sauage and rebellious beast, and his worshippers, in the 15. and 16. Chapters. That common kinde, is the calamitie of warres, spread abroad through the whole earth, & filling all things with bloud, & that without respect of any person. This is figured or shadowed out in two types, of the haruest and vintage. Since the time that the light of the Gospell began to shine out; and since prophecie or preaching by the grace of God was raised vp againe, how horrible warres haue bene kindled in the world? how much humane flesh hath bene throwne to the earth, by this diuine reaping? how much bloud (alas for woe) hath ouer flowne for these three hūdred yeares almost? all histories do crie out, and this our age (if euer before) is now in horrour, by reason of the rage of that sickle which Antichrist calleth for. In this place is the first type, that is, of the haruest.
10Declaring his fierceness by his colour, like unto that which is in the white or milk circle of heaven.Declaring his fiercenesse by his colour, like vnto that which is in the white or milke circle of heauen.
11As one that shall reign from God, and occupy the place of Christ in this miserable execution.As one that shall raigne from God, and occupie the place of Christ in this miserable execution.
12That is, a most fit and commodious instrument of divine execution, desitoving all, by hewing and thrusting thorough: for who may stand against God?That is, a most fit and commodious instrument of diuine execution, desitoving all, by hewing and thrusting thorough: for who may stand against God?
15 13And another Angel came out of the Temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sate on the cloud, ‖Thrust in thy sickle & reap: for the time is come for thee to reap: for the ‖harvest of the earth is ripe.
15 13And another Angell came out of the Temple, crying with a loud voyce to him that sate on the cloud, ‖Thrust in thy sickle & reape: for the time is come for thee to reape: for the ‖haruest of the earth is ripe.
13Christ giveth commandment, in this verse, and the Angel executeth in the next verse.Christ giueth commaundement, in this verse, and the Angell executeth in the next verse.
