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.
4 2John to the seven Churches which are in Asia; Grace be unto you, and peace; from him 2Which ‖is, and Which was, and Which is 3to come; and from 4the dseven Spirits which are before his Throne;
4 2Iohn to the seuen Churches which are in Asia; Grace be vnto you, and peace; from him 2Which ‖is, and Which was, and Which is 3to come; and from 4the dseuen Spirites which are before his Throne;
2This is the particular or singular inscription, wherein salvation is written unto certain Churches by name, which represent the Church Catholic: and the certainty and truth of the same is declared, from the author thereof, unto the 8. ver.This is the particular or singular inscription, wherein saluation is written vnto certaine Churches by name, which represent the Church Catholike: and the certaintie and truth of the same is declared, from the author therof, vnto the 8. ver.
By these three times, Is, Was & Shall be, is signifiaed this word lehovah, which is the proper name of God.By these three times, Is, Was & Shalbe, is signifiaed this word lehouah, which is the proper name of God.
3That is, from God the Father eternal, immortal, immutable; whose unchangeableness S. John declareth by a form of speech which is undeclined. For there is no incongruity in this place, where, of necessity the words must be attempeted unto the mysteries, & not the mysteries corrupted or impaired by the words.That is, from God the Father aeternal, immortal, immutable; whose vnchangeablenes S. Iohn declareth by a forme of speech which is vndeclined. For there is no incongruitie in this place, where, of necessitie the words must be attempeted vnto the mysteries, & not the mysteries corrupted or impaired by the words.
4That is, from the holy Ghost, which proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne. This Spirit is one in person according to his subsistencie; but in communication of his virtue, & in demonstration of his divine works in those seven Churches, doth so perfectly manifest himself, as if there were so many Spirits, every one perfectly working in his own Church. Wherefore after chap. 5. 6. they are called the seven horns and seven eyes of the Lamb, as much to say, as his most absolute power & wisdom: & chap. 3. 1. Christ is said to have those seven Spirits of God: & cha. 4. 5. it is said, that seven lamps do burn before his throne, which also are those seven Spirits of God. That this place ought to be so understood, it is thus proved. For first grace and peace is asked by prayer of this Spirit, which is a divine work, & an action incommunicable in respect of the most high Deity Secondly he is placed between the Father and the Sonne, as set in the same degree of dignity and operation with them. Besides he is before the throne as of the same substance with the Father & the Sonne: as the seuc̄ eyes, & seven horns of the Lamb. Moreover these Spirits are never said to adore God, as all other things are. Finally, this is that power whereby the Lamb opened the book, and loosed the seven seals thereof: when none could be found amongst all creatures by whom the book might be opened cha. 5. Of these things long ago M. John Luide of Oxford wrote learnedly unto me. Now the holy Ghost is set in order of words before Christ, because there was in that which followeth, a long process of speech to be used concerning Christ.That is, from the holy Ghost, which proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne. This Spirit is one in person according to his subsistencie; but in communication of his vertue, & in demonstration of his diuine works in those seuē Churches, doth so perfectly manifest himselfe, as if there were so many Spirits, euerie one perfectly working in his owne Church. Wherefore after chap. 5. 6. they are called the seuen hornes and seuen eyes of the Lambe, as much to say, as his most absolute power & wisedome: & chap. 3. 1. Christ is said to haue those seuen Spirits of God: & cha. 4. 5. it is said, that seuen lamps do burne before his throne, which also are those seuen Spirits of God. That this place ought to be so vnderstood, it is thus proued. For first grace and peace is asked by prayer of this Spirit, which is a diuine worke, & an action incōmunicable in respect of the most high Deitie Secondly he is placed between the Father and the Sonne, as set in the same degree of dignitie and operation with them. Besides he is before the throne as of the same substance with the Father & the Sonne: as the seuc̄ eyes, & seuen hornes of the Lamb. Moreouer these Spirits are neuer said to adore God, as all other things are. Finally, this is that power whereby the Lambe opened the booke, and loosed the seuen seales thereof: when none could be found amongst all creatures by whom the booke might be opened cha. 5. Of these things long agoe M. Iohn Luide of Oxford wrote learnedly vnto me. Now the holy Ghost is set in order of words before Christ, because there was in that which followeth, a long processe of speach to be vsed concerning Christ.
dThese are the seven spirits, which are afterward chap. 5 ver. 6. called the horns and eyes of the Lamb, and are now made as a guard waiting upon God.These are the seuen spirits, which are afterward chap. 5 ver. 6. called the hornes and eyes of the Lambe, and are now made as a gard waiting vpō God.
5 And from Jesus Christ, 5which is that ‖faithful ⟨p. 3⟩witness, ‖that first begotten of the dead, and that Prince of the Kings of the earth; who loved us, and washed us from our sins with his own ‖blood:
5 And frō Iesus Christ, 5which is that ‖faithfull ⟨p. 3⟩witnesse, ‖that first begotten of the dead, and that Prince of the Kings of the earth; who loued vs, and washed vs from our sinnes with his owne ‖blood:
5A most ample & grave commendation of Christ, first from his offices, the priesthood and kingdom: secondly from his benefits, as his love towards us, and washing us with his blood, in this verse; and communication of his kingdom and priesthood with us: thirdly from his eternal glory and power, which is always to be celebrated of us, ver. 6. Pinally from the accomplishment of all things once to be effected by him, at his second coming; what time he shall openly destroy the wicked, & shall comfort the godly in the truth ver. 7.A most ample & graue commendation of Christ, first from his offices, the priesthood and kingdome: secondly from his benefits, as his loue towards vs, and washing vs with his bloud, in this verse; and communication of his kingdome and priesthood with vs: thirdly from his eternall glorie and power, which is alwayes to be celebrated of vs, ver. 6. Pinally from the accomplishment of all things once to be effected by him, at his second comming; what time he shall openly destroy the wicked, & shall comfort the godly in the truth ver. 7.
7 Behold, he cometh with ‖clouds, and every eeye shall see him: yea even they which pierced him through: and all the kindreds of the earth shall wail before him: Even so, Amen.
7 Behold, he commeth with ‖clouds, and euery eeye shall see him: yea euen they which pierced him through: and all the kinreds of the earth shall waile before him: Euen so, Amen.
8 6I ‖am f[Greek or Hebrew] and [Greek or Hebrew], that is, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, that is, he Which is, and Which was, and Which is to come, even that Almighty one.
8 6I ‖am f〈non-Latin alphabet〉 and 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, that is, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, that is, he Which is, and Which was, and Which is to come, euen that Almightie one.
6A confirmation of the salutation afore going, taken from the words of God himself: in which he avoucheth his operation in every singular creature, the immutable eternity that is in himself, & his omnipotency in all things: and concludeth in the unity of his own essence, that Trinity of persons which was before spoken of.A confirmatiō of the salutation afore going, takē frō the words of God himselfe: in which he auoucheth his operation in euerie singular creature, the immutable eternitie that is in himself, & his omnipotencie in all things: and concludeth in the vnitie of his owne essence, that Trinitie of persons which was before spoken of.
‖Chap. 21. 6. & 22. 13.
fI am he, before who there is nothing; yea by whom every thing that is made, was made and who shall remain though all they should perish.I am he, before who there is nothing; yea by whō euery thing that is made, was made and who shall remaine though all they should perish.
9 7I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle called gPatmos, for the word of God, and for the witnessing of Jesus Christ:
9 7I Iohn, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the Kingdome and patience of Iesus Christ, was in the yle called gPatmos, for the word of God, and for the witnessing of Iesus Christ:
7The narration, opening the way to the declaring of the authority and calling of S. John the Evangelist in this singular Revelation; and to procure faith and credit unto this prophesie. This is the second part of this Chapter, consisting of a proposition, and an exposition. The proposition showeth, first who was called unto this Revelation, in what place, and how occupied. vers. 9. Then at what time, and by what means, namely, by the Spirit and the word; & that on the Lords day; which day ever since the resurrection of Christ was consecrated for Christians unto the religion of the Sabbath: that is to say, to be a day of rest, ver. 10. Thirdly, who is the author that calleth him, and what is the some of his calling.The narration, opening the way to the declaring of the authoritie and calling of S. Iohn the Euangelist in this singular Reuelation; and to procure faith and credit vnto this prophesie. This is the second part of this Chapter, consisting of a proposition, and an exposition. The proposition sheweth, first who was called vnto this Reuelation, in what place, and how occupied. vers. 9. Then at what time, and by what meanes, namely, by the Spirit and the word; & that on the Lords day; which day euer since the resurrection of Christ was consecrated for Christians vnto the religion of the Sabboth: that is to say, to be a day of rest, ver. 10. Thirdly, who is the author that calleth him, and what is the somme of his calling.
gPatmos is one of the Isles of Sporas, whether John was banished, as some write.Patmos is one of the Iles of Sporas, whether Iohn was banished, as some write.
10 And I was rapt in hspirit on the iLords ⟨p. 4⟩day, and hard behind me a great voice, as it had been of a trumpet,
10 And I was rapt in hspirit on the iLords ⟨p. 4⟩day, and hard behind me a great voyce, as it had bene of a trumper,
hThus is that holy ravishment expressed wherewith the Prophets were ravished, and being as it were carried out of the world, were conversant with God: and so Ezekiel saith often, that he was carried from place to place of the Lords Spirit, and that the Spirit of the Lord fell upon him.Thus is that holy rauishment expressed wherewith the Prophets were rauished, and being as it were caried out of the world, were conuersant with God: and so Ezechiel saith often, that he was caried from place to place of the Lords Spirit, and that the Spirit of the Lord fell vpon him.
iHe calleth that the Lords day, which Paul calleth the first day of the week. 1. Cor. 16. 2.He calleth that the Lords day, which Paul calleth the first day of the weeke. 1. Cor. 16. 2.
11 Of one that said, I am [Greek or Hebrew] and [Greek or Hebrew], that first and that last: &, That which thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven Churches which are in Asia, at Ephesus, and at Smyrna, & at Pergamus, and at Thyatira, and at Sardis, and at Philadelphia, and at Laodicea.
11 Of one that said, I am 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 and 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, that first and that last: &, That which thou seest, write in a booke, and send it vnto the seuen Churches which are in Asia, at Ephesus, and at Smyrna, & at Pergamus, and at Thyatira, and at Sardis, and at Philadelphia, and at Laodicea.
12 8Then I turned back to ksee the voice, that spake with me: 9and when I was turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks:
12 8Then I turned backe to ksee the voyce, that spake with me: 9and when I was turned, I saw seuen golden candlesticks:
8The exposition, declaring the third & last point of the proposition (for th' other points are evident of themselves) wherein is spoken first of the Author of this calling, unto the 16 verse. Secondly of the calling it self, unto the end of the chapter. And first of all, the occasion is noted in this verse, in that S. John turned himself towards the vision: after is set down the description of the Author, in the verses following.The exposition, declaring the third & last point of the proposition (for th' other points are euident of themselues) wherin is spokē first of the Author of this calling, vnto the 16 verse. Secondly of the calling it selfe, vnto the end of the chapter. And first of all, the occasion is noted in this verse, in that S. Iohn turned himself towards the vision: after is set downe the description of the Author, in the verses following.
kTo see him whose voice he had heard.
9The description of the Author, which is Christ: by the candlesticks that stand about him, that is, the Churches that stand before him, and depend upon his direction, in this verse: by his properties, that he is one furnished with wisdom and dexterity to the achieving of great things, verse 13. with ancient gravity, and most excellent sight of the eye, verse 14. with strength invincible, and with a mighty word, verse. 15. By his operations, that he ruleth the ministry of his servants in the Church, giveth effect there unto by the sword of his word, and enlightening allthings by his countenance, doth most mightily provide for every one by his divine providence. verse 16.The description of the Author, which is Christ: by the candlestickes that stand about him, that is, the Churches that stand before him, and depend vpon his direction, in this verse: by his properties, that he is one furnished with wisedome and dexteritie to the atchieuing of great things, verse 13. with auncient grauitie, and most excellent sight of the eye, verse 14. with strength inuincible, and with a mightie word, verse. 15. By his operations, that he ruleth the ministerie of his seruaunts in the Church, giueth effect there unto by the sword of his word, and enlightening althings by his countenance, doth most mightely prouide for euerie one by his diuine prouidence. verse 16.
13 And in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the feet, and girded about the paps with a golden girdle.
13 And in the midst of the seuen golden candlesticks, one like vnto the Sonne of man, clothed with a garment downe to the feete, and girded about the pappes with a golden girdle.
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and his face shone as the sun shineth in his strength.
16 And he had in his right hand seuen starres: and out of his mouth went a sharpe two edged sword: and his face shone as the sunne shineth in his strength.
17 10And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. 11then he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not: 12I am that ‖first, and that last,
17 10And when I saw him, I fell at his feete as dead. 11then he laid his right hand vpon me, saying vnto me, Feare not: 12I am that ‖first, and that last,
10A religious fear, that goeth before the calling of the Saints, & their full confirmation to take upon them the vocation of God.A religious feare, that goeth before the calling of the Saints, & their full confirmatiō to take vpon them the vocation of God.
11A divine confirmation in this calling, partly by sign, and partly by the word of power.A diuine cō firmatiō in this calling, partly by signe, and partly by the word of power.
12A most elegant description of this calling, contained in three things, which are necessary unto a just vocation: first the authority of him that calleth, for that he is the beginning and the end of all things, in this verse; for that he is eternal and omnipotent, verse 18. Secondly the sum of this prophetical calling and revelation, verse 19. Lastly a declaration of those persons unto whom this prophesie is by the commandment of God directed in the inscription thereof, verse 20.A most elegant description of this calling, contained in three things, which are necessarie vnto a iust vocation: first the authoritie of him that calleth, for that he is the beginning and the end of all things, in this verse; for that he is aeternall and omnipotent, verse 18. Secondly the summe of this propheticall calling and reuelation, verse 19. Lastly a declaration of those persons vnto whom this prophesie is by the commaundement of God directed in the inscription thereof, verse 20.
19 13Write the things which thou hast seen; both which are, and which shall come to pass hereafter.
19 13Write the things which thou hast seene; both which are, and which shall come to passe hereafter.
13The sum of this prophesie, that the Apostle must write whatsoever he should see, adding nothing, nor taking away any thing, as verse 2. Here of there were two parts: one is a narration of those things which are, that is, which then are at that time, contained in the second and third Chapters: the other part is of those things which were to come, contained in the rest of this book.The summe of this prophesie, that the Apostle must write whatsoeuer he should see, adding nothing, nor taking away any thing, as verse 2. Here of there were two parts: one is a narration of those things which are, that is, which then are at that time, contained in the secōd and third Chapters: the other part is of those things which were to come, contained in the rest of this booke.
