He is commanded to write divers things to the churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamus, and Thyatira: praising them that had not admitted the doctrine of the Heretics called Nicolaita, 22 and calling others by threats unto penance: 26 and promising reward to him that manfully overcometh.He is commaunded to write diuers things to the churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamus, and Thyatira: praising them that had not admitted the doctrine of the Heretikes called Nicolaita, 22 and calling others by threates vnto penance: 26 and promising reward to him that manfully ouercommeth.✦
And to the Angel of the Church of Ephesus write, Thus saith he which holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, which walketh in the midst of the seven candlesticks of gold,AND to the Angel of the Church of Ephesus write, Thus saith he which holdeth the seuen starres in his right hand, which walketh in the middes of the seuen candlestickes of gold,¶✦Angelo Ephesi ecclesiæ scribe : Hæc dicit, qui tenet septem stellas in dextera sua, qui ambulat in medio septem candelabrorum aureorum :
2I know thy works and labour, and thy patience: and that thou canst not bear evil men, and hast tried them which say themselves to be Apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:I know thy workes and labour, and thy patience: and that thou canst not beare euil men, and hast tried them which say them selues to be Apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:¶✦Scio opera tua, et laborem, et patientiam tuam, et quia non potes sustinere malos : et tentasti eos, qui se dicunt apostolos esse, et non sunt : et invenisti eos mendaces :
3and thou hast patience, and hast borne for my name, and hast not fainted.and thou hast patience, and hast borne for my name, and hast not fainted.✦et patientiam habes, et sustinuisti propter nomen meum, et non defecisti.
4But I have against thee a few things, because thou hast left thy first charity.But I haue against thee a few thinges, because thou hast left thy first charitie.✦Sed habeo adversum te, quod caritatem tuam primam reliquisti.
5Be mindful therefore from whence thou art fallen: and do poenitentia: penitential satisfaction and amendment for sin, not mere inward repentance, and do the first works. But if not: I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of his place, unless thou do penance.Be mindeful therfore from whence thou art fallen: and doe penance, and doe the first workes. But if not: I come to thee, and wil moue thy candlesticke out of his place, vnlesse thou doe penance.¶✦Memor esto itaque unde excideris : et age pœnitentiam, et prima opera fac : sin autem, venio tibi, et movebo candelabrum tuum de loco suo, nisi pœnitentiam egeris.
6but this thou hast, because thou hatest the facta: true verified statements; deeds, doings of the Nicolaites, which I also hate.but this thou hast, because thou hatest the factes of the Nicolaites, which I also hate.¶✦Sed hoc habes, quia odisti facta Nicolaitarum, quæ et ego odi.
7He 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.He that hath an eare, let him heare what the Spirit saith to the Churches, To him that ouercommeth, I wil giue to eate of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God.✦Qui habet aurem, audiat quid Spiritus dicat ecclesiis : Vincenti dabo edere de ligno vitæ, quod est in paradiso Dei mei.
8And to the Angel of the Church of Smyrna write, Thus saith the first and the last, who was dead, and liveth,And to the Angel of the Church of Smyrna write, Thus saith * the first and the last, who was dead, and liueth,✦Et angelo Smyrnæ ecclesiæ scribe : Hæc dicit primus, et novissimus, qui fuit mortuus, et vivit :
9I know thy tribulation and thy poverty, but thou art rich: and thou art blasphemed of them that say themselves to be Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.I know thy tribulation and thy pouertie, but thou art riche: and thou art blasphemed of them that say them selues to be Iewes and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.✦Scio tribulationem tuam, et paupertatem tuam, sed dives es : et blasphemaris ab his, qui se dicunt Judæos esse, et non sunt, sed sunt synagoga Satanæ.
10Fear none of these things which thou shalt suffer. Behold the Devil will send some of you into prison that you may be tried: and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful until death: and I will give thee the crown of life.Feare none of these thinges which thou shalt suffer. Behold the Deuil wil send some of you into prison that you may be tried: and you shal haue tribulation ten daies. Be thou faithful vntil death: and I wil giue thee the crowne of life.✦Nihil horum timeas quæ passurus es. Ecce missurus est diabolus aliquos ex vobis in carcerem ut tentemini : et habebitis tribulationem diebus decem. Esto fidelis usque ad mortem, et dabo tibi coronam vitæ.
11He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches, He that overcometh, shall not be hurt of the second death.He that hath an eare, let him heare what the Spirit saith to the Churches, He that ouercommeth, shal not be hurt of the second death.✦Qui habet aurem, audiat quid Spiritus dicat ecclesiis : Qui vicerit, non lædetur a morte secunda.
12And to the Angel of the Church of Pergamus write, Thus saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword,And to the Angel of the Church of Pergamus write, Thus saith he that hath the sharpe two edged sword,✦Et angelo Pergami ecclesiæ scribe : Hæc dicit qui habet rhomphæam utraque parte acutam :
13I know where thou dwellest, where the seat of Satan is: and thou holdest my name, and hast not denied my faith. And in those days Antipas my faithful witness, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.I know where thou dwellest, where the seate of Satan is: and thou holdest my name, and hast not denied my faith. And in those daies Antipas my faithful witnesse, who was slaine among you, where Satan dwelleth.✦Scio ubi habitas, ubi sedes est Satanæ : et tenes nomen meum, et non negasti fidem meam. Et in diebus illis Antipas testis meus fidelis, qui occisus est apud vos ubi Satanas habitat.
14But I have against thee a few things: because thou hast there, them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a scandalum: a disgraceful act causing public outrage; a stumbling-block, an occasion of another's sin before the children of Israel, to eat and commit fornication:But I haue against thee a few thinges: because thou hast there, them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac * to cast a scandal before the children of Israel, to eate and commit fornication:¶✦Sed habeo adversus te pauca : quia habes illic tenentes doctrinam Balaam, qui docebat Balac mittere scandalum coram filiis Israël, edere, et fornicari :
15so hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaites.so hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaites.✦ita habes et tu tenentes doctrinam Nicolaitarum.
16In like manner do penance. if not: I will come to thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.In like maner doe penance. if not: I wil come to thee quickly, and wil fight against them with the sword of my mouth.✦Similiter pœnitentiam age : si quominus veniam tibi cito, et pugnabo cum illis in gladio oris mei.
17He 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.He that hath an eare, let him heare what the Spirit saith to the Churches, To him that ouercommeth I wil giue the hidden manna, and wil giue him a white c counter: and in the counter, a new name Written, which no man knoweth, but he that receiueth it.✦Qui habet aurem, audiat quid Spiritus dicat ecclesiis : Vincenti dabo manna absconditum, et dabo illi calculum candidum : et in calculo nomen novum scriptum, quod nemo scit, nisi qui accipit.
18And to the Angel of the Church of Thyatira write, Thus saith the Son of God, which hath eyes as a flame of fire, and his feet like to auricalcum: a brass-like metal alloy, fine brass.And to the Angel of the Church of Thyatira write, Thus saith the Sonne of God, which hath eies as a flame of fire, and his feete like to latten.✦Et angelo Thyatiræ ecclesiæ scribe : Hæc dicit Filius Dei, qui habet oculos tamquam flammam ignis, et pedes ejus similes auricalco :
19I know thy works, and faith, and thy charity, and ministry, and thy patience and thy last works more than the former.I know thy workes, and faith, and thy charitie, and ministerie, and thy patience and thy last workes moe then the former.Novi opera tua, et fidem, et caritatem tuam, et ministerium, et patientiam tuam, et opera tua novissima plura prioribus.
20But I have against thee a few things: because thou permittest the woman Jezabel, who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach, and to seduce my servants, to fornicate, and to eat of things sacrificed to idols.But I haue against thee a few thinges: because thou permittest the woman * Iezabel, who calleth her self a prophetesse, to teache, and to seduce my seruantes, to fornicate, and to eate of thinges sacrificed to idols.¶✦Sed habeo adversus te pauca : quia permittis mulierem Jezabel, quæ se dicit propheten, docere, et seducere servos meos, fornicari, et manducare de idolothytis.
21And I gave her a time that she might do penance: and she will not repent from her fornication.And I gaue her a time that she might do penance: and she wil not repent from her fornication.¶Et dedi illi tempus ut pœnitentiam ageret : et non vult pœnitere a fornicatione sua.
22Behold I will cast her into a bed: and they that commit adultery with her, shall be in very great tribulation, unless they do penance from their works:Behold I wil cast her into a bedde: and they that commit adoutrie with her, shal be in very great tribulation, vnlesse they do penance from their workes:¶✦Ecce mittam eam in lectum : et qui mœchantur cum ea, in tribulatione maxima erunt, nisi pœnitentiam ab operibus suis egerint.
23and her children I will kill unto death, and all the Churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the renes: the kidneys, as the seat of the inmost feelings and desires and hearts, and I will give to every one of you according to his works.and her children I wil kil vnto death, and al the Churches shal know * that I am he that searcheth the reines and hartes, and I wil giue to euery one of you according to his workes.✦Et filios ejus interficiam in morte, et scient omnes ecclesiæ, quia ego sum scrutans renes, et corda : et dabo unicuique vestrum secundum opera sua. Vobis autem dico,
24But I say to you the rest which are at Thyatira, whosoever have not this doctrine, which have not known the depth of Satan, as they say, I will not cast upon you another weight.But I say to you the rest which are at Thyatira, whosoeuer haue not this doctrine, which haue not known the depth of Satan, as they say, I wil not cast vpon you an other weight.✦et ceteris qui Thyatiræ estis : quicumque non habent doctrinam hanc, et qui non cognoverunt altitudines Satanæ, quemadmodum dicunt, non mittam super vos aliud pondus :
25Yet that which you have, hold till I come.Yet that which you haue, hold til I come.tamen id quod habetis, tenete donec veniam.
26And he that shall overcome and keep my works unto the end: I will give him power over the nations,And he that shal ouercome and keepe my workes vnto the end: I wil giue him power ouer the nations,¶✦Et qui vicerit, et custodierit usque in finem opera mea, dabo illi potestatem super gentes,
27and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and as the vessel of a potter shall they be broken,and * he shal rule them with a rod of yron, and as the vessel of a potter shal they be broken,✦et reget eas in virga ferrea, et tamquam vas figuli confringentur,
28as I also have received of my father: and I will give him the morning star.as I also haue receiued of my father: and I wil giue him the morning starre.✦sicut et ego accepi a Patre meo : et dabo illi stellam matutinam.
29He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches.He that hath an eare, let him heare what the Spirit saith to the Churches.Qui habet aurem, audiat quid Spiritus dicat ecclesiis.
Annotationsfrom the original 1582 Rheims New Testament
1Holdeth the seven. Much to be observed, that Christ hath such care over the Church and the Bishops thereof, that he is said here to bear them up in his right hand, and to walk in the midst of them: no doubt to uphold and preserve them and to guide them in all truth.Holdeth the seuen. Much to be obserued, that Christ hath such care ouer the Church and the Bishops thereof, that he is said here to beare them vp in his right hand, and to walke in the middes of them: no doubt to vphold and preserue them and to guide them in al truth.
2Thy works, labour, patience &c. Things required in a Bishop. first, good works, and great patience in tribulation. next, zeal and sharp discipline toward offenders is here commended in them. thirdly, wisdom & diligence in trial of false Apostles and preachers coming in sheep's skins: where is signified the watchful providence that ought to be in them, that Heretics enter not into their flocks.Thy workes, labour, patience &c. Things required in a Bishop. first, good workes, and great patience in tribulation. next, zeale and sharpe discipline toward offenders is here comended in them. thirdly, wisedom & diligence in trial of false Apostles and preachers comming in sheepes skinnes: where is signified the watchful prouidence that ought to be in them, that Heretikes enter not into their flockes.
5Will move. Note that the cause why God taketh the truth from certain countries, and removeth their Bishops or Churches into captivity or desolation, is the sin of the Prelates and people. And that is the cause (no doubt) that Christ hath taken away our golden candlestick, that is, our Church in England. God grant us to remember our fall, to do penance and the former works of charity which our first Bishops and Church were notable and renowned for.Wil moue. Note that the cause why God taketh the truth from certaine countries, and remoueth their Bishops or Churches into captiuitie or desolation, is the sinne of the Prelates and people. And that is the cause (no doubt) that Christ hath taken away our golden candlesticke, that is, our Church in England. God graunt vs to remember our fall, to doe penance and the former workes of charitie which our first Bishops and Church were notable and renowmed for.
6Because thou hatest. We see here that of all things, Christian people (specially Bishops) should have great zeal against Heretics and hate them, that is, their wicked doctrine and conditions, even as God hateth them. for which only zeal, our Lord saith here that he beareth with some Churches and Prelates, and saveth them from perishing.Because thou hatest. We see here that of al things, Christian people (specially Bishops) should haue great zeale against Heretikes and hate them, that is, their wicked doctrine and conditions, euen as God hateth them. for which only zeale, our Lord saith here that he beareth with some Churches and Prelates, and saueth them from perishing.
6Of the Nicolaites. Heretics have their callings of certain persons, as is noted at large Act. 11, 26. These had their name of Nicolas, one of the 7 first Deacons that were chosen Act. 6. Who it is thought to have taught community of women or wives, and that it was lawful to eat of meats offered to idols. Which later point is such a thing, as if one should hold it lawful to receive the bread or wine of the new Communion, which is a kind of Idolothyta, that is, idolatrous meats. for though such creatures be good by creation, yet they be made execrable by profane blessings of Heretics or Idolaters. And concerning the name of Nicolaites given here by our Lord himself to those Heretics, it is a very pattern and mark unto the faithful for ever, what kind of men they should be, that should be called after the like sort, Arians, Macedonians, Nestorians, Lutherans, Zwinglians, &c. See S. Jerome cont. Lucifer. in fine.Of the Nicolaites. Heretikes haue their callings of certaine persons, as is noted at large Act. 11, 26. These had their name of Nicolas, one of the 7 first Deacons that were chosen Act. 6. Who it is thought to haue taught communitie of women or wiues, and that it was lawful to eate of meates offered to idols. Which later point is such a thing, as if one should hold it lawful to receiue the bread or wine of the new Communion, which is a kinde of Idolothyta, that is, idolatrous meates. for though such creatures be good by creation, yet they be made execrable by profane blessings of Heretikes or Idolaters. And concerning the name of Nicolaites giuen here by our Lord him self to those Heretikes, it is a very paterne and marke vnto the faithful for euer, what kinde of men they should be, that should be called after the like sort, Arians, Macedonians, Nestorians, Lutherans, Zuinglians, &c. See S. Hierom cont. Lucifer. in fine.
14To cast a scandal. Josephus writeth that when Balaam could not curse God's people, nor otherwise annoy them, he taught Balac a way how to overthrow them: to wit, by presenting unto them their Heathen women very beautiful, and delicate dishes of meat offered to Bel-phegor: that so being tempted they might fall to heathenish manners and displease God. To which crafty counsel of Balaam the Apostle resembleth Heretics' fraud, who by offering of liberty of meat, women, Church goods, breach of vows, and such other licentious allurements, cause many more to fall, then by their preaching.To cast a scandal. Iosephus writeth that when Balaam could not curse Gods people, nor otherwise anoy them, he taught Balac a way how to ouerthrow them: to wit, by presenting vnto them their Heathen women very beautiful, and delicate dishes of meate offered to Bel-phegor: that so being tempted they might fall to heathenish maners and displease God. To which craftie counsel of Balaam the Apostle resembleth Heretikes fraude, who by offering of libertie of meate, women, Church goodes, breache of vowes, and such other licentious allurements, cause many moe to fall, then by their preaching.
20The woman Jezabel. He warneth Bishops to be zealous and stout against false Prophets and Heretics of what sort soever, by alluding covertly to the example of holy Elias that in zeal killed 450 false prophets of Jezabel, and spared not Achab nor Jezabel themselves, but told them to their faces that they troubled Israel, that is, the faithful people of God. And whether there were any such great woman then, a furtherer and promoter of the Nicolaites, whom the Prophet should here mean, it is hard to say.The woman Iezabel. He warneth Bishops to be zelous and stout against false Prophets and Heretikes of what sort soeuer, by alluding couertly to the example of holy Elias that in zeale killed 450 false prophets of Iezabel, and spared not Achab nor Iezabel them selues, but told them to their faces that they troubled Israel, that is, the faithful people of God. And whether there were any such great woman then, a furtherer and promotour of the Nicolaites, whom the Prophete should here meane, it is hard to say.
21She will not repent. See free will here most plainly, and that God is not the proper cause of obduration or impenitence, but man himself only. Our Lord giveth sinners so long life, specially to expect their amendment: but Jezabel (to whom the Apostle here alludeth) would never repent.She wil not repent. See free wil here most plainely, and that God is not the proper cause of obduration or impenitence, but man him self only. Our Lord giueth sinners so long life, specially to expect their amendment: but Iezabel (to whom the Apostle here alludeth) would neuer repent.
22They that commit adultery with her. Such as communicate with Heretics, shall be damned (alas) with them. for, not only such as were in their hearts, of Jezabel's religion, or inwardly believed in Baal, but such as externally for fear worshipped him (which the Scriptures call, bowing of their knees to Baal) are culpable. as now many bow their knees to the Communion, that bow not their hearts.They that comit adoutrie with her. Such as communicate with Heretikes, shal be damned (alas) with them. for, not onely such as were in their hartes, of Iezabels religion, or inwardly beleeued in Baal, but such as externally for feare worshipped him (which the Scriptures call, bowing of their knees to Baal) are culpable. as now many bow their knees to the Communion, that bow not their hartes.
26I will give him power. Observe that not only Angels have power and regiment over Countries under God, but now for the honour of Christ's human nature, and for his ministry in the world, the Saints deceased also, being in heaven, have government over men and Provinces, and therefore have to do with our affairs in the world. Which is against the Heretics of these days, that to take away our prayers to Saints, would spoil them of many sovereign dignities, wherein the Scriptures make them equal with Angels.I wil giue him power. Obserue that not only Angels haue power and regiment ouer Countries vnder God, but now for the honour of Christs humane nature, and for his ministerie in the world, the Saincts deceased also, being in heauen, haue gouernement ouer men and Prouinces, and therfore haue to doe with our affaires in the world. Which is against the Heretikes of these daies, that to take away our praiers to Saincts, would spoile them of many soueraine dignities, wherein the Scriptures make them equal with Angels.
The reading text follows the 1582 first edition. Facsimile available in two scans.