The Holy Bible

Part 71 out of 74

hand, according as our Lord Jesus Christ also hath signified to me.

1:15. And I will endeavour that you frequently have after my decease
whereby you may keep a memory of these things.

1:16. For we have not by following artificial fables made known to you
the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ: but we were
eyewitnesses of his greatness.

1:17. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, this voice
coming down to him from the excellent glory: This is my beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased. Hear ye him.

1:18. And this voice, we heard brought from heaven, when we were with
him in the holy mount.

1:19. And we have the more firm prophetical word: whereunto you do well
to attend, as to a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day
dawn and the day star arise in your hearts.

1:20. Understanding this first: That no prophecy of scripture is made
by private interpretation.

No prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation. . .This
shows plainly that the scriptures are not to be expounded by any one's
private judgment or private spirit, because every part of the holy
scriptures were written by men inspired by the Holy Ghost, and declared
as such by the Church; therefore they are not to be interpreted but by
the Spirit of God, which he hath left, and promised to remain with his
Church to guide her in all truth to the end of the world. Some may tell
us, that many of our divines interpret the scriptures: they may do so,
but they do it always with a submission to the judgment of the Church,
and not otherwise.

1:21. For prophecy came not by the will of man at any time: but the
holy men of God spoke, inspired by the Holy Ghost.

2 Peter Chapter 2

He warns them against false teachers and foretells their punishment.

2:1. But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there
shall be among you lying teachers who shall bring in sects of perdition
and deny the Lord who bought them: bringing upon themselves swift
destruction.

Seeds of perdition. . .That is, heresies destructive of salvation.

2:2. And many shall follow their riotousness, through whom the way of
truth shall be evil spoken of.

2:3. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make
merchandise of you. Whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not:
and their perdition slumbereth not.

2:4. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but delivered them,
drawn down by infernal ropes to the lower hell, unto torments, to be
reserved unto judgment:

2:5. And spared not the original world, but preserved Noe, the eighth
person, the preacher of justice, bringing in the flood upon the world
of the ungodly.

2:6. And reducing the cities of the Sodomites and of the Gomorrhites
into ashes, condemned them to be overthrown, making them an example to
those that should after act wickedly,

2:7. And delivered just Lot, oppressed by the injustice and lewd
conversation of the wicked:

2:8. For in sight and hearing he was just, dwelling among them who from
day to day vexed the just soul with unjust works.

2:9. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly from temptation, but to
reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be tormented:

2:10. And especially them who walk after the flesh in the lust of
uncleanness and despise government: audacious, self willed, they fear
not to bring in sects, blaspheming.

2:11. Whereas angels, who are greater in strength and power, bring not
against themselves a railing judgment.

Bring not a railing judgment, etc. . .That is, they use no railing, nor
cursing sentence; not even in their conflicts with the evil angels. See
St. Jude, ver. 9.

2:12. But these men, as irrational beasts, naturally tending to the
snare and to destruction, blaspheming those things which they know not,
shall perish in their corruption:

2:13. Receiving the reward of their injustice, counting for a pleasure
the delights of a day: stains and spots, sporting themselves to excess,
rioting in their feasts with you:

The delights of a day: that is, the short delights of this world, in
which they place all their happiness.

2:14. Having eyes full of adultery and of sin that ceaseth not:
alluring unstable souls: having their heart exercised with
covetousness: children of malediction.

2:15. Leaving the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the
way of Balaam of Bosor who loved the wages of iniquity,

2:16. But had a check of his madness, the dumb beast used to the yoke,
which, speaking with man's voice, forbade the folly of the prophet.

2:17. These are fountains without water and clouds tossed with
whirlwinds, to whom the mist of darkness is reserved.

2:18. For, speaking proud words of vanity, they allure by the desires
of fleshly riotousness those who for a little while escape, such as
converse in error:

2:19. Promising them liberty, whereas they themselves are the slaves of
corruption. For by whom a man is overcome, of the same also he is the
slave.

2:20. For if, flying from the pollutions of the world, through the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they be again entangled
in them and overcome: their latter state is become unto them worse than
the former.

2:21. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of
justice than, after they have known it, to turn back from that holy
commandment which was delivered to them.

2:22. For, that of the true proverb has happened to them: The dog is
returned to his vomit; and: The sow that was washed to her wallowing in
the mire.

2 Peter Chapter 3

Against scoffers denying the second coming of Christ. He declares the
sudden dissolution of this world and exhorts to holiness of life.

3:1. Behold this second epistle I write to you, my dearly beloved, in
which, I stir up by way of admonition your sincere mind:

3:2. That you may be mindful of those words which I told you before
from the holy prophet and of your apostles, of the precepts of the Lord
and Saviour.

3:3. Knowing this first: That in the last days there shall come
deceitful scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

3:4. Saying: Where is his promise or his coming? For since the time
that the fathers slept, all things continue as they were from the
beginning of the creation.

3:5. For this they are wilfully ignorant of: That the heavens were
before, and the earth out of water and through water, consisting by the
word of God:

3:6. Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water,
perished.

3:7. But the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are
kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and
perdition of the ungodly men.

3:8. But of this one thing be not ignorant, my beloved, that one day
with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

3:9. The Lord delayeth not his promise, as some imagine, but dealeth
patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that
all should return to penance,

3:10. But the day of the Lord shall come as a thief, in which the
heavens shall pass away with great violence and the elements shall be
melted with heat and the earth and the works which are in it shall be
burnt up.

3:11. Seeing then that all these things are to be dissolved, what
manner of people ought you to be in holy conversation and godliness?

3:12. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of the Lord,
by which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements
shall melt with the burning heat?

3:13. But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to his
promises, in which justice dwelleth.

3:14. Wherefore, dearly beloved, waiting for these things, be diligent
that you may be found before him unspotted and blameless in peace.

3:15. And account the longsuffering of our Lord, salvation: as also our
most dear brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, hath written
to you:

3:16. As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in
which are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and
unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own
destruction.

3:17. You therefore, brethren, knowing these things before, take heed,
lest being led aside by the error of the unwise, you fall from your own
steadfastness.

3:18. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and unto the day of eternity,
Amen.

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE

The same vein of divine love and charity towards our neighbour, which
runs throughout the Gospel written by the beloved disciple and
Evangelist, St. John, is found also in his Epistles. He confirms the
two principal mysteries of faith: The mystery of the Trinity and the
mystery of the incarnation of Jesus Christ the Son of God. The
sublimity and excellence of the evangelical doctrine he declares: And
this commandment we have from God, that he, who loveth God, love also
his brother (chap. 4,21). And again: For this is the charity of God,
that we keep his commandments, and: His commandments are not heavy
(chap. 5,3). He shews how to distinguish the children of God from those
of the devil: marks out those who should be called Antichrists:
describes the turpitude and gravity of sin. Finally, he shews how the
sinner may hope for pardon. It was written, according to Baronius'
account, sixty-six years after our Lord's Ascension.

1 John Chapter 1

He declares what he has seen and heard of Christ who is the life
eternal, to the end that we may have fellowship with God and all good
through him. Yet so if we confess our sins.

1:1. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we
have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and our hands have
handled, of the word of life.

1:2. For the life was manifested: and we have seen and do bear witness
and declare unto you the life eternal, which was with the Father and
hath appeared to us.

1:3. That which we have seen and have heard, we declare unto you: that
you also may have fellowship with us and our fellowship may be with the
Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

1:4. And these things we write to you, that you may rejoice and your
joy may be full.

1:5. And this is the declaration which we have heard from him and
declare unto you: That God is light and in him there is no darkness.

1:6. If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness,
we lie and do not the truth.

1:7. But if we walk in the light, as he also is in the light, we have
fellowship one with another: And the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin.

1:8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth
is not in us.

1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our
sins and to cleanse us from all iniquity.

1:10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar: and his
word is not in us.

1 John Chapter 2

Christ is our advocate. We must keep his commandments and love one
another. We must not love the world nor give ear to new teachers, but
abide by the spirit of God in the church.

2:1. My little children, these things I write to you, that you may not
sin. But if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the just.

2:2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only,
but also for those of the whole world.

2:3. And by this we know that we have known him, if we keep his
commandments.

We have known him, if we keep his commandments. . .He speaks of that
practical knowledge by love and affection, which can only be proved by
our keeping his commandments; and without which we can not be said to
know God as we should do.

2:4. He who saith that he knoweth him and keepeth not his commandments
is a liar: and the truth is not in him.

2:5. But he that keepeth his word, in him in very deed the charity of
God is perfected. And by this we know that we are in him.

2:6. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as
he walked.

2:7. Dearly beloved, I write not a new commandment to you, but an old
commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is
the word which you have heard.

2:8. Again a new commandment I write unto you: which thing is true both
in him and in you, because the darkness is passed and the true light
now shineth.

A new commandment. . .Viz., the commandment of love, which was first
given in the old law; but was renewed and extended by Christ. See John
13.34.

2:9. He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother is in
darkness even until now.

2:10. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light: and there is no
scandal in him.

2:11. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness and walketh in
darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth: because the darkness hath
blinded his eyes.

2:12. I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven
you for his name's sake.

2:13. I write unto you, fathers, because you have known him who is from
the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because you have overcome
the wicked one.

2:14. I write unto you, babes, because you have known the Father. I
write unto you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God
abideth in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.

2:15. Love not the world, nor the things which are in the world. If any
man love the world, the charity of the Father is not in him.

2:16. For all that is in the world is the concupiscence of the flesh
and the concupiscence of the eyes and the pride of life, which is not
of the Father but is of the world.

2:17. And the world passeth away and the concupiscence thereof: but he
that doth the will of God abideth for ever.

2:18. Little children, it is the last hour: and as you have heard that
Antichrist cometh, even now there are become many Antichrists: whereby
we know that it is the last hour.

It is the last hour. . .That is, it is the last age of the world. Many
Antichrists;. . .that is, many heretics, enemies of Christ and his
church, and forerunners of the great Antichrist.

2:19. They went out from us but they were not of us. For if they had
been of us, they would no doubt have remained with us: but that they
may be manifest, that they are not all of us.

They were not of us. . .That is, they were not solid, steadfast, genuine
Christians: otherwise they would have remained in the church.

2:20. But you have the unction from the Holy One and know all things.

The unction from the Holy One. . .That is, grace and wisdom from the
Holy Ghost. Know all things. . .The true children of God's church,
remaining in unity, under the guidance of their lawful pastors, partake
of the grace of the Holy Ghost, promised to the church and her pastors;
and have in the church all necessary knowledge and instruction; so as
to have no need to seek it elsewhere, since it can be only found in
that society of which they are members.

2:21. I have not written to you as to them that know not the truth, but
as to them that know it: and that no lie is of the truth.

2:22. Who is a liar, but he who denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This
is Antichrist, who denieth the Father and the Son.

2:23. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father. He that
confesseth the Son hath the Father also.

2:24. As for you, let that which you have heard from the beginning
abide in you. If that abide in you, which you have heard from the
beginning, you also shall abide in the Son and in the Father.

2:25. And this is the promise which he hath promised us, life
everlasting.

2:26. These things have I written to you concerning them that seduce
you.

2:27. And as for you, let the unction, which you have received from him
abide in you. And you have no need that any man teach you: but as his
unction teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lie. And as
it hath taught you, abide in him.

You have no need, etc. . .You want not to be taught by any of these men,
who, under pretence of imparting more knowledge to you, seek to seduce
you (ver. 26), since you are sufficiently taught already, and have all
knowledge and grace in the church, with the unction of the Holy Ghost;
which these new teachers have no share in.

2:28. And now, little children, abide in him, that when he shall appear
we may have confidence and not be confounded by him at his coming.

2:29. If you know that he is just, know ye, that every one also who
doth justice is born of him.

1 John Chapter 3

Of the love of God to us. How we may distinguish the children of God
and those of the devil. Of loving one another and of purity of
conscience.

3:1. Behold what manner of charity the Father hath bestowed upon us,
that we should be called and should be the sons of God. Therefore the
world knoweth not us, because it knew not him.

3:2. Dearly beloved, we are now the sons of God: and it hath not yet
appeared what we shall be. We know that when he shall appear we shall
be like to him: because we shall see him as he is.

3:3. And every one that hath this hope in him sanctifieth himself, as
he also is holy.

3:4. Whosoever committeth sin committeth also iniquity. And sin is
iniquity.

Iniquity. . .transgression of the law.

3:5. And you know that he appeared to take away our sins: and in him
there is no sin.

3:6. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: and whosoever sinneth hath
not seen him nor known him.

Sinneth not. . .viz., mortally. See chap. 1.8.

3:7. Little children, let no man deceive you. He that doth justice is
just, even as he is just.

3:8. He that committeth sin is of the devil: for the devil sinneth from
the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God appeared, that he might
destroy the works of the devil.

3:9. Whosoever is born of God committeth not sin: for his seed abideth
in him. And he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Committeth not sin. . .That is, as long as he keepeth in himself this
seed of grace, and this divine generation, by which he is born of God.
But then he may fall from this happy state, by the abuse of his free
will, as appears from Rom. 11.20-22; Cor. 9.27; and 10.12; Phil. 2.12;
Apoc. 3.11.

3:10. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the
devil. Whosoever is not just is not of God, or he that loveth not his
brother.

3:11. For this is the declaration which you have heard from the
beginning, that you should love one another.

3:12. Not as Cain, who was of the wicked one and killed his brother.
And wherefore did he kill him? Because his own works were wicked: and
his brother's just.

3:13. Wonder not, brethren, if the world hate you.

3:14. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love
the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death.

3:15. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer. And you know that no
murderer hath eternal life abiding in himself.

3:16. In this we have known the charity of God, because he hath laid
down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the
brethren.

3:17. He that hath the substance of this world and shall see his
brother in need and shall shut up his bowels from him: how doth the
charity of God abide in him?

3:18. My little children, let us not love in word nor in tongue, but in
deed and in truth.

3:19. In this we know that we are of the truth and in his sight shall
persuade our hearts.

3:20. For if our heart reprehend us, God is greater than our heart and
knoweth all things.

3:21. Dearly beloved, if our heart do not reprehend us, we have
confidence towards God.

3:22. And whatsoever we shall ask, we shall receive of him: because we
keep his commandments and do those things which are pleasing in his
sight.

3:23. And this is his commandment: That we should believe in the name
of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as he hath given
commandment unto us.

3:24. And he that keepeth his commandments abideth in him, and he in
him. And in this we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he
hath given us.

1 John Chapter 4

What spirits are of God, and what are not. We must love one another,
because God has loved us.

4:1. Dearly beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits if
they be of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the
world.

Try the spirits. . .Viz., by examining whether their teaching be
agreeable to the rule of the Catholic faith, and the doctrine of the
church. For as he says, (ver. 6,) He that knoweth God, heareth us [the
pastors of the church]. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the
spirit of error.

4:2. By this is the spirit of God known. Every spirit which confesseth
that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

Every spirit which confesseth, etc. . .Not that the confession of this
point of faith alone, is, at all times, and in all cases, sufficient;
but that with relation to that time, and for that part of the Christian
doctrine, which was then particularly to be confessed, taught, and
maintained against the heretics of those days, this was the most proper
token, by which the true teachers might be distinguished form the
false.

4:3. And every spirit that dissolveth Jesus is not of God. And this is
Antichrist, of whom you have heard that he cometh: and he is now
already in the world.

That dissolveth Jesus. . .Viz., either by denying his humanity, or his
divinity. He is now already in the world. . .Not in his person, but in
his spirit, and in his precursors.

4:4. You are of God, little children, and have overcome him. Because
greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

4:5. They are of the world. Therefore of the world they speak: and the
world heareth them.

4:6. We are of God. He that knoweth God heareth us. He that is not of
God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit
of error.

4:7. Dearly beloved, let us love one another: for charity is of God.
And every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God.

4:8. He that loveth not knoweth not God: for God is charity.

4:9. By this hath the charity of God appeared towards us, because God
hath sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we may live by
him.

4:10. In this is charity: not as though we had loved God, but because
he hath first loved us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our
sins.

4:11. My dearest, if God hath so loved us, we also ought to love one
another.

4:12. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God
abideth in us: and his charity is perfected in us.

4:13. In this we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he
hath given us of his spirit.

4:14. And we have seen and do testify that the Father hath sent his Son
to be the Saviour of the world.

4:15. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth
in him, and he in God.

4:16. And we have known and have believed the charity which God hath to
us. God is charity: and he that abideth in charity abideth in God, and
God in him.

4:17. In this is the charity of God perfected with us, that we may have
confidence in the day of judgment: because as he is, we also are in
this world.

4:18. Fear is not in charity: but perfect charity casteth out fear,
because fear hath sin. And he that feareth is not perfected in charity.

Fear is not in charity, etc. . .Perfect charity, or love, banisheth
human fear, that is, the fear of men; as also all perplexing fear,
which makes men mistrust or despair of God's mercy; and that kind of
servile fear, which makes them fear the punishment of sin more than the
offence offered to God. But it no way excludes the wholesome fear of
God's judgments, so often recomended in holy writ; nor that fear and
trembling, with which we are told to work out our salvation. Phil.
2.12.

4:19. Let us therefore love God: because God first hath loved us.

4:20. If any man say: I love God, and hateth his brother; he is a liar.
For he that loveth not his brother whom he seeth, how can he love God
whom he seeth not?

4:21. And this commandment we have from God, that he who loveth God
love also his brother.

1 John Chapter 5

Of them that are born of God, and of true charity. Faith overcomes the
world. Three that bear witness to Christ. Of faith in his name and of
sin that is and is not to death.

5:1. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. And
every one that loveth him who begot, loveth him also who is born of
him.

Is born of God. . .That is, is justified, and become a child of God by
baptism: which is also to be understood; provided the belief of this
fundamental article of the Christian faith be accompanied with all the
other conditions, which, by the word of God, and his appointment, are
also required to justification; such as a general belief of all that
God has revealed and promised: hope, love, repentance, and a sincere
disposition to keep God's holy law and commandments.

5:2. In this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God
and keep his commandments.

5:3. For this is the charity of God: That we keep his commandments. And
his commandments are not heavy.

5:4. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world. And this is
the victory which overcameth the world: Our faith.

Our faith. . .Not a bare, speculative, or dead faith; but a faith that
worketh by charity. Gal. 5.6

5:5. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that
Jesus is the Son of God?

5:6. This is he that came by water and blood, Jesus Christ: not by
water only but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit which
testifieth that Christ is the truth.

Came by water and blood. . .Not only to wash away our sins by the water
of baptism, but by his own blood.

5:7. And there are Three who give testimony in heaven, the Father, the
Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one.

5:8. And there are three that give testimony on earth: the spirit and
the water and the blood. And these three are one.

The spirit, and the water, and the blood. . .As the Father, the Word,
and the Holy Ghost, all bear witness to Christ's divinity; so the
spirit, which he yielded up, crying out with a loud voice upon the
cross; and the water and blood that issued from his side, bear witness
to his humanity, and are one; that is, all agree in one testimony.

5:9. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is
greater. For this is the testimony of God, which is greater, because he
hath testified of his Son.

5:10. He that believeth in the Son of God hath the testimony of God in
himself. He that believeth not the Son maketh him a liar: because he
believeth not in the testimony which God hath testified of his Son.

He that believeth not the Son, etc. . .By refusing to believe the
testimonies given by the three divine persons, that Jesus was the
Messias, and the true Son of God, by whom eternal life is obtained and
promised to all that comply with his doctrine. In him we have also this
lively confidence, that we shall obtain whatever we ask, according to
his will, when we ask what is for our good, with perseverance, and in
the manner we ought. And this we know, and have experience of, by
having obtained the petitions that we have made.

5:11. And this is the testimony that God hath given to us eternal life.
And this life is in his Son.

5:12. He that hath the Son hath life. He that hath not the Son hath not
life.

5:13. These things I write to you that you may know that you have
eternal life: you who believe in the name of the Son of God.

5:14. And this is the confidence which we have towards him: That,
whatsoever we shall ask according to his will, he heareth us.

5:15. And we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask: we know that we
have the petitions which we request of him.

5:16. He that knoweth his brother to sin a sin which is not to death,
let him ask: and life shall be given to him who sinneth not to death.
There is a sin unto death. For that I say not that any man ask.

A sin which is not to death, etc. . .It is hard to determine what St.
John here calls a sin which is not to death, and a sin which is unto
death. The difference can not be the same as betwixt sins that are
called venial and mortal: for he says, that if a man pray for his
brother, who commits a sin that is not to death, life shall be given
him: therefore such a one had before lost the life of grace, and been
guilty of what is commonly called a mortal sin. And when he speaks of a
sin that is unto death, and adds these words, for that I say not that
any man ask, it cannot be supposed that St. John would say this of
every mortal sin, but only of some heinous sins, which are very seldom
remitted, because such sinners very seldom repent. By a sin therefore
which is unto death, interpreters commonly understand a wilfull
apostasy from the faith, and from the known truth, when a sinner,
hardened by his own ingratitude, becomes deaf to all admonitions, will
do nothing for himself, but runs on to a final impenitence. Nor yet
does St. John say, that such a sin is never remitted, or cannot be
remitted, but only has these words, for that I say not that any man ask
the remission : that is, though we must pray for all sinners
whatsoever, yet men can not pray for such sinners with such a
confidence of obtaining always their petitions, as St. John said
before, ver. 14. Whatever exposition we follow on this verse, our faith
teacheth us from the holy scriptures, that God desires not the death of
any sinner, but that he be converted and live, Ezech. 33.11. Though
men's sins be as red as scarlet, they shall become as white as snow,
Isa. 3.18. It is the will of God that every one come to the knowledge
of the truth, and be saved. There is no sin so great but which God is
willing to forgive, and has left a power in his church to remit the
most enormous sins: so that no sinner need despair of pardon, nor will
any sinner perish, but by his own fault. A sin unto death. . .Some
understand this of final impenitence, or of dying in mortal sin; which
is the only sin that never can be remitted. But, it is probable, he may
also comprise under this name, the sin of apostasy from the faith, and
some other such heinous sins as are seldom and hardly remitted: and
therefore he gives little encouragement, to such as pray for these
sinners, to expect what they ask.

5:17. All iniquity is sin. And there is a sin unto death.

5:18. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not: but the
generation of God preserveth him and the wicked one toucheth him not.

5:19. We know that we are of God and the whole world is seated in
wickedness.

And the whole world is seated in wickedness. . .That is, a great part of
the world. It may also signify, is under the wicked one, meaning the
devil, who is elsewhere called the prince of this world, that is, of
all the wicked. John 12.31.

5:20. And we know that the Son of God is come. And he hath given us
understanding that we may know the true God and may be in his true Son.
This is the true God and life eternal.

And may be in his true Son. He is, or this is the true God, and life
eternal. . .Which words are a clear proof of Christ's divinity, and as
such made use of by the ancient fathers.

5:21. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Keep yourselves from idols. . .An admonition to the newly converted
Christians, lest conversing with heathens and idolaters, they might
fall back into the sin of idolatry, which may be the sin unto death
here mentioned by St. John.

THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE

The Apostle commends Electa and her family for their steadfastness in
the true faith and exhorts them to persevere, lest they lose the reward
of their labours. He exhorts them to love one another. But with
heretics to have no society, even not to salute them. Although this
Epistle is written to a particular person, yet its instructions may
serve as a lesson to others, especially to those who, from their
connections, situation, or condition in life, are in danger of
perversion.

2 John Chapter 1

He recommends walking in truth, loving one another and to beware of
false teachers.

1:1. The Ancient to the lady Elect and her children, whom I love in the
truth: and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth,

The ancient. . .That is, the ancient bishop St. John, being the only one
of the twelve apostles then living. To the lady Elect. . .Some
conjecture that Electa might be the name of a family, or of a
particular church; but the general opinion is, that it is the proper
name of a lady, so eminent for her piety and great charity, as to merit
this Epistle from St. John.

1:2. For the sake of the truth which dwelleth in us and shall be with
us for ever.

1:3. Grace be with you, mercy and peace from God the Father and from
Christ Jesus the Son of the Father: in truth and charity.

1:4. I was exceeding glad that I found of thy children walking in
truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

1:5. And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing a new commandment to
thee, but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one
another.

1:6. And this is charity: That we walk according to his commandments.
For this is the commandment that, as you have heard from the beginning,
you should walk in the same:

1:7. For many seducers are gone out into the world who confess not that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a seducer and an antichrist.

1:8. Look to yourselves, that you lose not the things which you have
wrought: but that you may receive a full reward.

1:9. Whosoever revolteth and continueth not in the doctrine of Christ
hath not God. He that continueth in the doctrine, the same hath both
the Father and the Son.

1:10. If any man come to you and bring not this doctrine, receive him
not into the house nor say to him: God speed you.

Nor say to him, God speed you. . .This admonition is in general, to
forewarn the faithful of the dangers which may arise from a familiarity
with those who have prevaricated and gone from the true faith, and with
such as teach false doctrine. But this is not forbidding a charity for
all men, by which we ought to wish and pray for the eternal salvation
of every one, even of our enemies.

1:11. For he that saith unto him: God speed you, communicateth with his
wicked works.

1:12. Having more things to write unto you, I would not by paper and
ink: for I hope that I shall be with you and speak face to face, that
your joy may be full.

1:13. The children of thy sister Elect salute thee.

THE THIRD EPISTLE OF ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE

St. John praises Gaius for his walking in truth and for his charity,
complains of the bad conduct of Diotrephes and gives a good testimony
to Demetrius.

3 John Chapter 1

1:1. The Ancient, to the dearly beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

1:2. Dearly beloved, concerning all things I make it my prayer that
thou mayest proceed prosperously and fare well, as thy soul doth
prosperously.

1:3. I was exceedingly glad when the brethren came and gave testimony
to the truth in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

1:4. I have no greater grace than this, to hear that my children walk
in truth.

No greater grace. . .that is nothing that gives me greater joy and
satisfaction.

1:5. Dearly beloved, thou dost faithfully whatever thou dost for the
brethren: and that for strangers,

1:6. Who have given testimony to thy charity in the sight of the
church. Whom thou shalt do well to bring forward on their way in a
manner worthy of God:

1:7. Because, for his name they went out, taking nothing of the
Gentiles.

Taking nothing of the Gentiles. . .These ministers of the gospel are
commended by St. John, who took nothing from the Gentiles, lest they
should seem to preach in order to get money by it.

1:8. We therefore ought to receive such: that we may be fellow helpers
of the truth.

1:9. I had written perhaps to the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to
have the preeminence among them, doth not receive us.

Diotrephes who loveth. . .This man seemeth to be in power, but not a
friend to the faithful; therefore this part of the letter might be an
admonition to him from the apostle.

1:11. Dearly beloved, follow not that which is evil: but that which is
good. He that doth good is of God: he that doth evil hath not seen God.

1:12. To Demetrius, testimony is given by all, and by the truth itself:
yea and we also give testimony. And thou knowest that our testimony is
true.

1:13. I had many things to write unto thee: but I would not by ink and
pen write to thee.

1:14. But I hope speedily to see thee: and we will speak mouth to
mouth. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Salute the friends
by name.

THE CATHOLIC EPISTLE OF ST. JUDE

St. Jude, who wrote this Epistle, was one of the twelve Apostles and
brother to St. James the Less. The time it was written is uncertain:
only it may be inferred from verse 17 that few or none of the Apostles
were then living, except St. John. He inveighs against the heresies and
wicked practices of the Simonians, Nicolaites, and Gnostics, etc.,
describing them and their leaders by strong epithets and similes, He
exhorts the faithful to contend earnestly for the faith first delivered
to them and to beware of heretics.

Jude Chapter 1

He exhorts them to stand to the faith first delivered to them and to
beware of heretics.

1:1. Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James: to them
that are beloved in God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ and
called.

1:2. Mercy unto you and peace: and charity be fulfilled.

1:3. Dearly beloved, taking all care to write unto you concerning your
common salvation, I was under a necessity to write unto you: to beseech
you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.

1:4. For certain men are secretly entered in (who were written of long
ago unto this judgment), ungodly men, turning the grace of our Lord God
into riotousness and denying the only sovereign Ruler and our Lord
Jesus Christ.

1:5. I will therefore admonish you, though ye once knew all things,
that Jesus, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, did
afterwards destroy them that believed not.

1:6. And the angels who kept not their principality but forsook their
own habitation, he hath reserved under darkness in everlasting chains,
unto the judgment of the great day.

Principality. . .That is, the state in which they were first created,
their original dignity.

1:7. As Sodom and Gomorrha and the neighbouring cities, in like manner,
having given themselves to fornication and going after other flesh,
were made an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire.

1:8. In like manner, these men also defile the flesh and despise
dominion and blaspheme majesty.

Blaspheme majesty. . .Speak evil of them that are in dignity; and even
utter blasphemies against the divine majesty.

1:9. When Michael the archangel, disputing with the devil, contended
about the body of Moses, he durst not bring against him the judgment of
railing speech, but said: The Lord command thee.

Contended about the body, etc. . .This contention, which is no where
else mentioned in holy writ, was originally known by revelation, and
transmitted by tradition. It is thought the occasion of it was, that
the devil would have had the body buried in such a place and manner, as
to be worshipped by the Jews with divine honours. Command thee. . .or
rebuke thee.

1:10. But these men blaspheme whatever things they know not: and what
things soever they naturally know, like dumb beasts, in these they are
corrupted.

1:11. Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain: and after
the error of Balaam they have for reward poured out themselves and have
perished in the contradiction of Core.

Gone in the way, etc. . .Heretics follow the way of Cain, by murdering
the souls of their brethren; the way of Balaam, by putting a scandal
before the people of God, for their own private ends; and the way of
Core or Korah, by their opposition to the church governors of divine
appointment.

1:12. These are spots in their banquets, feasting together without
fear, feeding themselves: clouds without water, which are carried about
by winds: trees of the autumn, unfruitful, twice dead, plucked up by
the roots:

1:13. Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own confusion:
wandering stars, to whom the storm of darkness is reserved for ever.

1:14. Now of these Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied,
saying: Behold, the Lord cometh with thousands of his saints:

Prophesied. . .This prophecy was either known by tradition, or from some
book that is since lost.

1:15. To execute judgment upon all and to reprove all the ungodly for
all the works of their ungodliness, whereby they have done ungodly: and
for all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against God.

1:16. These are murmurers, full of complaints, walking according to
their own desires: and their mouth speaketh proud things, admiring
persons, for gain's sake.

1:17. But you, my dearly beloved, be mindful of the words which have
been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:

But you, my dearly beloved, be mindful, etc. . .He now exhorts the
faithful to remain steadfast in the belief and practice of what they
had heard from the apostles, who had also foretold that in aftertimes
(lit. in the last time) there should be false teachers, scoffing and
ridiculing all revealed truths, abandoning themselves to their passions
and lusts; who separate themselves from the Catholic communion by
heresies and schisms. Sensual men. . .carried away and enslaved by the
pleasures of the senses.

1:18. Who told you that in the last time there should come mockers,
walking according to their own desires in ungodlinesses.

1:19. These are they who separate themselves, sensual men, having not
the Spirit.

1:20. But you, my beloved, building yourselves upon your most holy
faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

1:21. Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our
Lord Jesus Christ, unto life everlasting.

Building yourselves upon your most holy faith. . .Raising by your
actions, a spiritual building, founded, 1st, upon faith; 2d, on the
love of God; 3d, upon hope, whilst you are waiting for the mercies of
God, and the reward of eternal life; 4th, joined with the great duty of
prayer.

1:22. And some indeed reprove, being judged:

1:23. But others save, pulling them out of the fire. And on others have
mercy, in fear, hating also the spotted garment which is carnal.

And some indeed reprove being judged. . .He gives them another
instruction to practice charity in endeavouring to convert their
neighbour, where they will meet with three sorts of persons: 1st, With
persons obstinate in their errors and sins; these may be said to be
already judged and condemned; they are to be sharply reprehended,
reproved, and if possible convinced of their error. 2d, As to others
you must endeavour to save them, by pulling them, as it were, out of
the fire, from the ruin they stand in great danger of. 3d, You must
have mercy on others in fear, when you see them through ignorance of
frailty, in danger of being drawn into the snares of these heretics;
with these you must deal more gently and mildly, with a charitable
compassion, hating always, and teaching others to hate the carnal
garment which is spotted, their sensual and corrupt manners, that
defile both the soul and body.

1:24. Now to him who is able to preserve you without sin and to present
you spotless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, in
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

1:25. To the only God our Saviour through Jesus Christ our Lord, be
glory and magnificence, empire and power, before all ages, and now, and
for all ages of ages. Amen.

Now to him, etc. . .St. Jude concludes his epistle with this doxology of
praising God, and praying to the only God our Saviour, which may either
signify God the Father, or God as equally agreeing to all the three
persons, who are equally the cause of Christ's incarnation, and man's
salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who, being God from eternity,
took upon him our human nature, that he might become our Redeemer.

THE APOCALYPSE OF ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE

In the first, second, and third chapters of this Book are contained
instructions and admonitions which St. John was commanded to write to
the seven bishops of the churches in Asia. And in the following
chapters, to the end, are contained prophecies of things that are to
come to pass in the Church of Christ, particularly towards the end of
the world, in the time of Antichrist. It was written in Greek, in the
island of Patmos, where St. John was in banishment by order of the
cruel emperor Domitian, about sixty-four years after our Lord's
Ascension.

Apocalypse Chapter 1

St. John is ordered to write to the seven churches in Asia. The manner
of Christ's appearing to him.

1:1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to make
known to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass: and
signified, sending by his angel to his servant John,

The things which must shortly come;. . .and again it is said, ver. 3,
The time is at hand. . .This can not be meant of all the things
prophesied in the Apocalypse, where mention is made also of the day of
judgment, and of the glory of heaven at the end of the world. That some
things were to come to pass shortly, is evident, by what is said to the
Seven Churches, chap. 2 and 3, Or that the persecutions foretold should
begin shortly. Or that these words signified, that all time is short,
and that from the coming of Christ, we are now in the last age or last
hour. See 1 John 2.18.

1:2. Who hath given testimony to the word of God and the testimony of
Jesus Christ, what things soever he hath seen.

1:3. Blessed is he that readeth and heareth the words of this prophecy:
and keepeth those things which are written in it. For the time is at
hand.

1:4. John to the seven churches which are in Asia. Grace be unto you
and peace, from him that is and that was and that is to come: and from
the seven spirits which are before his throne:

1:5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first
begotten of the dead and the prince of the kings of the earth, who hath
loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood

1:6. And hath made us a kingdom, and priests to God and his Father. To
him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.

1:7. Behold, he cometh with the clouds, and every eye shall see him:
and they also that pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth shall
bewail themselves because of him. Even so. Amen.

1:8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord
God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

I am Alpha and Omega. . .These are the names of the first and last
letters of the Greek alphabet, and signify the same as what follows:
The beginning and the end: the first cause and last end of all beings:
who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. . .These words
signify the true God only, and are here applied to our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ, who is to come again to judge the living and the dead.

1:9. I, John, your brother and your partner in tribulation and in the
kingdom and patience in Christ Jesus, was in the island which is called
Patmos, for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus.

1:10. I was in the spirit on the Lord's day and heard behind me a great
voice, as of a trumpet,

1:11. Saying: What thou seest, write in a book and send to the seven
churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamus
and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.

1:12. And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being
turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks:

1:13. And in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, one like to
the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the feet, and girt about
the paps with a golden girdle.

1:14. And his head and his hairs were white as white wool and as snow.
And his eyes were as a flame of fire:

1:15. And his feet like unto fine brass, as in a burning furnace. And
his voice as the sound of many waters.

1:16. And he had in his right hand seven stars. And from his mouth came
out a sharp two-edged sword. And his face was as the sun shineth in his
power.

1:17. And when I had seen him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid
his right hand upon me, saying: Fear not. I am the First and the Last,

1:18. And alive, and was dead. And behold I am living for ever and ever
and have the keys of death and of hell.

1:19. Write therefore the things which thou hast seen: and which are:
and which must be done hereafter.

1:20. The mystery of the seven stars, which thou sawest in my right
hand and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels
of the seven churches. And the seven candlesticks are the seven
churches.

Apocalypse Chapter 2

Directions what to write to the angels or bishops of Ephesus, Smyrna,
Pergamus and Thyatira.

2:1. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write: These things saith
he who holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the
midst of the seven golden candlesticks:

2:2. I know thy works and thy labour and thy patience and how thou
canst not bear them that are evil. And thou hast tried them who say
they are apostles and are not: and hast found them liars:

2:3. And thou hast patience and hast endured for my name and hast not
fainted.

2:4. But I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first
charity.

2:5. Be mindful therefore from whence thou art fallen: and do penance
and do the first works. Or else I come to thee and will move thy
candlestick out of its place, except thou do penance.

2:6. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaites,
which I also hate.

2:7. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the
churches: To him that overcometh I will give to eat of the tree of life
which is in the paradise of my God.

2:8. And to the angel of the church of Smyrna write: These things saith
the First and the Last, who was dead and is alive:

2:9. I know thy tribulation and thy poverty: but thou art rich. And
thou art blasphemed by them that say they are Jews and are not, but are
the synagogue of Satan.

2:10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the
devil will cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried: and you
shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death: and I
will give thee the crown of life.

2:11. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the
churches: He that shall overcome shall not be hurt by the second death.

2:12. And to the angel of the church of Pergamus write: These things
saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword:

2:13. I know where thou dwellest, where the seat of Satan is. And thou
holdest fast my name and hast not denied my faith. Even in those days
when Antipas was my faithful witness, who was slain among you, where
Satan dwelleth.

2:14. But I have against thee a few things: because thou hast there
them that hold the doctrine of Balaam who taught Balac to cast a
stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat and to commit
fornication.

2:15. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaites.

2:16. In like manner do penance. If not, I will come to thee quickly
and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

2:17. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the
churches: To him that overcometh I will give the hidden manna and will
give him a white counter: and in the counter, a new name written, which
no man knoweth but he that receiveth it.

2:18. And to the angel of the church of Thyatira write: These things
saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like to a flame of fire and his
feet like to fine brass.

2:19. I know thy works and thy faith and thy charity and thy ministry
and thy patience and thy last works, which are more than the former.

2:20. But I have against thee a few things: because thou sufferest the
woman Jezabel, who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce
my servants, to commit fornication and to eat of things sacrificed to
idols.

2:21. And I gave her a time that she might do penance: and she will not
repent of her fornication.

2:22. Behold, I will cast her into a bed: and they that commit adultery
with her shall be in very great tribulation, except they do penance
from their deeds,

2:23. And I will kill her children with death: and all the churches
shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts. And I will
give to every one of you according to your works. But to you I say

2:24. And to the rest who are at Thyatira: Whosoever have not this
doctrine and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say: I
will not put upon you any other burthen.

2:25. Yet that which you have, hold fast till I come.

2:26. And he that shall overcome and keep my words unto the end, I will
give him power over the nations.

Power over the nations. . .This shews, that the saints, who are with
Christ our Lord in heaven, receive power from him to preside over
nations and provinces, as patrons; and shall come with him at the end
of the world to execute his will against those who have not kept his
commandments.

2:27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and as the vessel of a
potter they shall be broken:

2:28. As I also have received of my Father. And I will give him the
morning star.

2:29. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the
churches.

Apocalypse Chapter 3

Directions what to write to Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.

3:1. And to the angel of the church of Sardis write: These things saith
he that hath the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know thy
works, and that thou hast the name of being alive. And thou art dead.

3:2. Be watchful and strengthen the things that remain, which are ready
to die. For I find not thy works full before my God.

3:3. Have in mind therefore in what manner thou hast received and
heard: and observe and do penance: If then thou shalt not watch, I will
come to thee as a thief: and thou shalt not know at what hour I will
come to thee.

3:4. But thou hast a few names in Sardis which have not defiled their
garments: and they shall walk with me in white, because they are
worthy.

3:5. He that shall overcome shall thus be clothed in white garments:
and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life. And I will
confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

3:6. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the
churches.

3:7. And to the angel of the church of Philadelphia write: These things
saith the Holy One and the true one, he that hath the key of David, he
that openeth and no man shutteth, shutteth and no man openeth:

3:8. I know thy works. Behold, I have given before thee a door opened,
which no man can shut: because thou hast a little strength and hast
kept my word and hast not denied my name.

3:9. Behold, I will bring of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are
Jews and are not, but do lie. Behold, I will make them to come and
adore before thy feet. And they shall know that I have loved thee.

3:10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I will also keep
thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon the whole world
to try them that dwell upon the earth.

3:11. Behold, I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no
man take thy crown.

3:12. He that shall overcome, I will make him a pillar in the temple of
my God: and he shall go out no more. And I will write upon him the name
of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which
cometh down out of heaven from my God, and my new name.

3:13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the
churches.

3:14. And to the angel of the church of Laodicea write: These things
saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the beginning of
the creation of God:

The Amen,. . .that is, the true one, the Truth itself; the Word and Son
of God. The beginning. . .that is, the principle, the source, and the
efficient cause of the whole creation.

3:15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would
thou wert cold or hot.

3:16. But because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will
begin to vomit thee out of my mouth.

3:17. Because thou sayest: I am rich and made wealthy and have need of
nothing: and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor
and blind and naked.

3:18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold, fire tried, that thou mayest be
made rich and mayest be clothed in white garments: and that the shame
of thy nakedness may not appear. And anoint thy eyes with eyesalve,
that thou mayest see.

3:19. Such as I love, I rebuke and chastise. Be zealous therefore and
do penance.

3:20. Behold, I stand at the gate and knock. If any man shall hear my
voice and open to me the door, I will come in to him and will sup with
him: and he with me.

3:21. To him that shall overcome, I will give to sit with me in my
throne: as I also have overcome and am set down with my Father in his
throne.

3:22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the
churches.

Apocalypse Chapter 4

The vision of the throne of God, the twenty-four ancients and the four
living creatures.

4:1. After these things I looked, and behold a door was opened in
heaven, and the first voice which I heard, as it were, of a trumpet
speaking with me, said: Come up hither, and I will shew thee the things
which must be done hereafter.

4:2. And immediately I was in the spirit. And behold, there was a
throne set in heaven, and upon the throne one sitting.

4:3. And he that sat was to the sight like the jasper and the sardine
stone. And there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like
unto an emerald.

4:4. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon
the seats, four and twenty ancients sitting, clothed in white garments.
And on their heads were crowns of gold.

4:5. And from the throne proceeded lightnings and voices and thunders.
And there were seven lamps burning before the throne, which are the
seven Spirits of God.

4:6. And in the sight of the throne was, as it were, a sea of glass
like to crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the
throne, were four living creatures, full of eyes before and behind.

4:7. And the first living creature was like a lion: and the second
living creature like a calf: and the third living creature, having the
face, as it were, of a man: and the fourth living creature was like an
eagle flying.

4:8. And the four living creatures had each of them six wings: and
round about and within they are full of eyes. And they rested not day
and night, saying: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and who
is and who is to come.

4:9. And when those living creatures gave glory and honour and
benediction to him that sitteth on the throne, who liveth for ever and
ever:

4:10. The four and twenty ancients fell down before him that sitteth on
the throne and adored him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their
crowns before the throne, saying:

4:11. Thou art worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honour and
power. Because thou hast created all things: and for thy will they were
and have been created.

Apocalypse Chapter 5

The book sealed with seven seals is opened by the Lamb, who thereupon
receives adoration and praise from all.

5:1. And I saw, in the right hand of him that sat on the throne, a
book, written within and without, sealed with seven seals.

5:2. And I saw a strong angel, proclaiming with a loud voice: Who is
worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof?

5:3. And no man was able, neither in heaven nor on earth nor under the
earth, to open the book, nor to look on it.

5:4. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open the book,
nor to see it.

5:5. And one of the ancients said to me: Weep not: behold the lion of
the tribe of Juda, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book
and to loose the seven seals thereof.

5:6. And I saw: and behold in the midst of the throne and of the four
living creatures and in the midst of the ancients, a Lamb standing, as
it were slain, having seven horns and seven eyes: which are the seven
Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.

5:7. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that
sat on the throne.

5:8. And when he had opened the book, the four living creatures and the
four and twenty ancients fell down before the Lamb, having every one of
them harps and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of
saints.

The prayers of saints. . .Here we see that the saints in heaven offer up
to Christ the prayers of the faithful upon earth.

5:9. And they sung a new canticle, saying: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to
take the book and to open the seals thereof: because thou wast slain
and hast redeemed us to God, in thy blood, out of every tribe and
tongue and people and nation:

5:10. And hast made us to our God a kingdom and priests, and we shall
reign on the earth.

5:11. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about
the throne and the living creatures and the ancients (and the number of
them was thousands of thousands),

5:12. Saying with a loud voice: The Lamb that was slain is worthy to
receive power and divinity and wisdom and strength and honour and glory
and benediction.

5:13. And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under
the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I
heard all saying: To him that sitteth on the throne and to the Lamb,
benediction and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever.

5:14. And the four living creatures said: Amen. And the four and twenty
ancients fell down on their faces and adored him that liveth for ever
and ever.

Apocalypse Chapter 6

What followed upon opening six of the seals.

6:1. And I saw that the Lamb had opened one of the seven seals: and I
heard one of the four living creatures, as it were the voice of
thunder, saying: Come and see.

6:2. And I saw: and behold a white horse, and he that sat on him had a
bow, and there was a crown given him, and he went forth conquering that
he might conquer.

White horse. . .He that sitteth on the white horse is Christ, going
forth to subdue the world by his gospel. The other horses that follow
represent the judgments and punishment that were to fall on the enemies
of Christ and his church. The red horse signifies war; the black horse,
famine; and the pale horse (which has Death for its rider), plagues or
pestilence.

6:3. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second living
creature saying: Come and see.

6:4. And there went out another horse that was red. And to him that sat
thereon, it was given that he should take peace from the earth: and
that they should kill one another. And a great sword was given to him.

6:5. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third living
creature saying: Come and see. And behold a black horse. And he that
sat on him had a pair of scales in his hand.

6:6. And I heard, as it were a voice in the midst of the four living
creatures, saying: Two pounds of wheat for a penny, and thrice two
pounds of barley for a penny: and see thou hurt not the wine and the
oil.

6:7. And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the
fourth living creature saying: Come and see.

6:8. And behold a pale horse: and he that sat upon him, his name was
Death. And hell followed him. And power was given to him over the four
parts of the earth, to kill with sword, with famine and with death and
with the beasts of the earth.

6:9. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the
souls of them that were slain for the word of God and for the testimony
which they held.

Under the altar. . .Christ, as man, is this altar, under which the souls
of the martyrs live in heaven, as their bodies are here deposited under
our altars.

6:10. And they cried with a loud voice, saying: How long, O Lord (Holy
and True), dost thou not judge and revenge our blood on them that dwell
on the earth?

Revenge our blood. . .They ask not this out of hatred to their enemies,
but out of zeal for the glory of God, and a desire that the Lord would
accelerate the general judgment, and the complete beatitude of all his
elect.

6:11. And white robes were given to every one of them one; And it was
said to them that they should rest for a little time till their fellow
servants and their brethren, who are to be slain even as they, should
be filled up.

6:12. And I saw, when he had opened the sixth seal: and behold there
was a great earthquake. And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair:
and the whole moon became as blood.

6:13. And the stars from heaven fell upon the earth, as the fig tree
casteth its green figs when it is shaken by a great wind.

6:14. And the heaven departed as a book folded up. And every mountain,
and the islands, were moved out of their places.

6:15. And the kings of the earth and the princes and tribunes and the
rich and the strong and every bondman and every freeman hid themselves
in the dens and in the rocks of mountains:

6:16. And they say to the mountains and the rocks: Fall upon us and
hide us from the face of him that sitteth upon the throne and from the
wrath of the Lamb.

6:17. For the great day of their wrath is come. And who shall be able
to stand?

Apocalypse Chapter 7

The number of them that were marked with the seal of the living God and
clothed in white robes.

7:1. After these things, I saw four angels standing on the four corners
of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that they should not
blow upon the earth nor upon the sea nor on any tree.

7:2. And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun,
having the sign of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to
the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

7:3. Saying: Hurt not the earth nor the sea nor the trees, till we sign
the servants of our God in their foreheads.

7:4. And I heard the number of them that were signed. An hundred
forty-four thousand were signed, of every tribe of the children of
Israel.

7:5. Of the tribe of Juda, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of
Ruben, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand
signed:

7:6. Of the tribe of Aser, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of
Nephthali, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Manasses, twelve
thousand signed:

7:7. Of the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of
Levi, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand
signed:

7:8. Of the tribe of Zabulon, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of
Joseph, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Benjamin, twelve
thousand signed.

7:9. After this, I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of
all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the
throne and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in
their hands.

7:10. And they cried with a loud voice, saying: Salvation to our God,
who sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb.

7:11. And all the angels stood round about the throne and the ancients
and the four living creatures. And they fell down before the throne
upon their faces and adored God,

7:12. Saying: Amen. Benediction and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving,
honour and power and strength, to our God, for ever and ever. Amen.

7:13. And one of the ancients answered and said to me: These that are
clothed in white robes, who are they? And whence came they?

7:14. And I said to him: My Lord, thou knowest. And he said to me:
These are they who are come out of great tribulation and have washed
their robes and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

7:15. Therefore, they are before the throne of God: and they serve him
day and night in his temple. And he that sitteth on the throne shall
dwell over them.

7:16. They shall no more hunger nor thirst: neither shall the sun fall
on them, nor any heat.

7:17. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall rule
them and shall lead them to the fountains of the waters of life: and
God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Apocalypse Chapter 8

The seventh seal is opened. The angels with the seven trumpets.

8:1. And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in
heaven, as it were for half an hour.

8:2. And I saw seven angels standing in the presence of God: and there
were given to them seven trumpets.

8:3. And another angel came and stood before the altar, having a golden
censer: and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer
of the prayers of all saints, upon the golden altar which is before the
throne of God.

8:4. And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended
up before God from the hand of the angel.

8:5. And the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the
altar and cast it on the earth: and there were thunders and voices and
lightnings and a great earthquake.

8:6. And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared
themselves to sound the trumpet.

8:7. And the first angel sounded the trumpet: and there followed hail
and fire, mingled with blood: and it was cast on the earth. And the
third part of the earth was burnt up: and the third part of the trees
was burnt up: and all green grass was burnt up.

8:8. And the second angel sounded the trumpet: and, as it were, a great
mountain, burning with fire, was cast into the sea. And the third part
of the sea became blood.

8:9. And the third part of those creatures died which had life in the
sea: and the third part of the ships was destroyed.

8:10. And the third angel sounded the trumpet: and a great star fell
from heaven, burning as it were a torch. And it fell on the third part
of the rivers and upon the fountains of waters:

8:11. And the name of the star is called Wormwood. And the third part
of the waters became wormwood. And many men died of the waters, because
they were made bitter.

8:12. And the fourth angel sounded the trumpet: and the third part of
the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part
of the stars, so that the third part of them was darkened. And the day
did not shine for a third part of it: and the night in like manner.

8:13. And I beheld: and heard the voice of one eagle flying through the
midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice: Woe, Woe, Woe to the
inhabitants of the earth, by reason of the rest of the voices of the
three angels, who are yet to sound the trumpet!

Apocalypse Chapter 9

Locusts come forth from the bottomless pit. The vision of the army of
horsemen.

9:1. And the fifth angel sounded the trumpet: and I saw a star fall
from heaven upon the earth. And there was given to him the key of the
bottomless pit.

A star full. . .This may mean the fall and apostasy of great and learned
men from the true faith. Or a whole nation falling into error and
separating from the church, not having the sign of God in their
foreheads. And there was given to him the key of the bottomless
pit. . .That is, to the angel, not to the fallen star. To this angel was
given the power, which is here signified by a key, of opening hell.

9:2. And he opened the bottomless pit: and the smoke of the pit arose,
as the smoke of a great furnace. And the sun and the air were darkened
with the smoke of the pit.

9:3. And from the smoke of the pit there came out locusts upon the
earth. And power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have
power.

There came out locusts. . .These may be devils in Antichrist's time,
having the appearance of locusts, but large and monstrous, as here
described. Or they may be real locusts, but of an extraordinary size
and monstrous shape, such as were never before seen on earth, sent to
torment those who have not the sign (or seal) of God on their
foreheads. Some commentators by these locusts understand heretics, and
especially those heretics, that sprung from Jews, and with them denied
the divinity of Jesus Christ; as Theodotus, Praxeas, Noetus, Paul of
Samosata, Sabellius, Arius, etc. These were great enemies of the
Christian religion; they tormented and infected the souls of men,
stinging them like scorpions, with the poison of their heresies. Others
have explained these locusts, and other animals, mentioned in different
places throughout this sacred and mystical book, in a most absurd,
fanciful, and ridiculous manner; they make Abaddon the Pope, and the
locusts to be friars mendicant, etc. Here it is thought proper, not to
enter into any controversy upon that subject, as the inventors of these
fancies have been already answered, and fully refuted by many
controvertists: besides, those who might be inposed on by such
chimerical writers, are in these days much better informed.

9:4. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of
the earth nor any green thing nor any tree: but only the men who have
not the sign of God on their foreheads.

9:5. And it was given unto them that they should not kill them: but
that they should torment them five months. And their torment was as the
torment of a scorpion when he striketh a man.

9:6. And in those days, men shall seek death and shall not find it. And
they shall desire to die: and death shall fly from them.

9:7. And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto
battle. And on their heads were, as it were, crowns like gold: and
their faces were as the faces of men.

9:8. And they had hair as the hair of women: and their teeth were as
lions.

9:9. And they had breastplates as breastplates of iron: and the noise
of their wings was as the noise of chariots and many horses running to
battle.

9:10. And they had tails like to scorpions: and there were stings in
their tails. And their power was to hurt men, five months. And they had
over them

9:11. A king, the angel of the bottomless pit (whose name in Hebrew is
Abaddon and in Greek Apollyon, in Latin Exterminans).

9:12. One woe is past: and behold there come yet two woes more
hereafter.

9:13. And the sixth angel sounded the trumpet: and I heard a voice from
the four horns of the golden altar which is before the eyes of God,

9:14. Saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet: Loose the four
angels who are bound in the great river Euphrates.

9:15. And the four angels were loosed, who were prepared for an hour,
and a day, and a month, and a year: for to kill the third part of men.

9:16. And the number of the army of horsemen was twenty thousand times
ten thousand. And I heard the number of them.

9:17. And thus I saw the horses in the vision. And they that sat on
them had breastplates of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone. And the
heads of the horses were as the heads of lions: and from their mouths
proceeded fire and smoke and brimstone.

9:18. And by these three plagues was slain the third part of men, by
the fire and by the smoke and by the brimstone which issued out of
their mouths.

9:19. For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their
tails. For, their tails are like to serpents and have heads: and with
them they hurt.

9:20. And the rest of the men, who were not slain by these plagues, did
not do penance from the works of their hands, that they should not
adore devils and idols of gold and silver and brass and stone and wood,
which neither can see nor hear nor walk:

9:21. Neither did they penance from their murders nor from their
sorceries nor from their fornication nor from their thefts.

Apocalypse Chapter 10

The cry of a mighty angel. He gives John a book to eat.

10:1. And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed
with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head: and his face, as the sun,
and his feet as pillars of fire.

10:2. And he had in his hand a little book, open. And he set his right
foot upon the sea, and his left foot upon the earth.

10:3. And he cried with a loud voice as when a lion roareth. And when
he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

10:4. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about
to write. And I heard a voice from heaven saying to me: Seal up the
things which the seven thunders have spoken. And write them not.

10:5. And the angel whom I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth
lifted up his hand to heaven.

10:6. And he swore by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created
heaven and the things which are therein, and the earth and the things
which are in it, and the sea and the things which are therein: That
time shall be no longer.

10:7. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall
begin to sound the trumpet, the mystery of God shall be finished, as he
hath declared by his servants the prophets.

Declared. . .literally evangelized, to signify the good tidings,
agreeable to the Gospel, of the final victory of Christ, and of that
eternal life, which should be the reward of the temporal sufferings of
the martyrs and faithful servants of God.

10:8. And I heard a voice from heaven, again speaking to me and saying:
Go and take the book that is open, from the hand of the angel who
standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.

10:9. And I went to the angel, saying unto him that he should give me
the book. And he said to me: Take the book and eat it up. And it shall
make thy belly bitter: but in thy mouth it shall be sweet as honey.

10:10. And I took the book from the hand of the angel and ate it up:
and it was in my mouth, sweet as honey. And when I had eaten it, my
belly was bitter.

10:11. And he said to me: Thou must prophesy again to many nations and
peoples and tongues and kings.

Apocalypse Chapter 11

He is ordered to measure the temple. The two witnesses.

11:1. And there was given me a reed, like unto a rod. And it was said
to me: Arise, and measure the temple of God and the altar and them that
adore therein.

11:2. But the court which is without the temple, cast out and measure
it not: because it is given unto the Gentiles. And the holy city they
shall tread under foot, two and forty months:

11:3. And I will give unto my two witnesses: and they shall prophesy, a
thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.

My two witnesses. . .It is commonly understood of Henoch and Elias.

11:4. These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks that stand
before the Lord of the earth.

11:5. And if any man will hurt them, fire shall come out of their
mouths and shall devour their enemies. And if any man will hurt them,
in this manner must he be slain.

11:6. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of
their prophecy: And they have power over waters, to turn them into
blood and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

11:7. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that
ascendeth out of the abyss shall make war against them and shall
overcome them and kill them.

11:8. And their bodies shall lie in the streets of the great city which
is called spiritually, Sodom and Egypt: where their Lord also was
crucified.

11:9. And they of the tribes and peoples and tongues and nations shall
see their bodies for three days and a half: and they shall not suffer
their bodies to be laid in sepulchres.

11:10. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them and
make merry: and shall send gifts one to another, because these two
prophets tormented them that dwelt upon the earth.

11:11. And after three days and a half, the spirit of life from God
entered into them. And they stood upon their feet: and great fear fell
upon them that saw them.

11:12. And they heard a great voice from heaven, saying to them: Come
up hither. And they went up to heaven in a cloud: and their enemies saw
them.

11:13. And at that hour there was made a great earthquake: and the
tenth part of the city fell. And there were slain in the earthquake,
names of men, seven thousand: and the rest were cast into a fear and
gave glory to the God of heaven.

11:14. The second woe is past: and behold the third woe will come
quickly.

11:15. And the seventh angel sounded the trumpet: and there were great
voices in heaven, saying: The kingdom of this world is become our
Lord's and his Christ's, and he shall reign for ever and ever. Amen.

11:16. And the four and twenty ancients who sit on their seats in the
sight of God, fell on their faces and adored God, saying:

11:17. We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, who art and who wast
and who art to come: because thou hast taken to thee thy great power,
and thou hast reigned.

11:18. And the nations were angry: and thy wrath is come. And the time
of the dead, that they should be judged and that thou shouldest render
reward to thy servants the prophets and the saints, and to them that
fear thy name, little and great: and shouldest destroy them who have
corrupted the earth.

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