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The Apocalyps.
The Seven Golden Candlesticks, &c. The Revelations of S. John in the Apocalyps. How Jesus Christ shewed himself unto him.
ALtho' that the Revelations which GOD made to S. John are all Mysterious, and very obscure in themselves, yet the Saints have found them to contain most ex∣cellent Instructions; as oft as they Read them with an humble frame of Soul, without prying too curiously into the depths of them.
The first Vision which this Holy Apostle had in the Isle of Patmos, wherein he had been exiled, was, that being ravished in Spirit one Lord's Day, he heard behind him a Noise like the sound of a Trumpet, which comman∣ded him to write what he saw. And he be∣held seven Golden Candlesticks, and in the midst of them one like the Son of Man, cloathed with a long Robe, and girded with a Golden Girdle; his Hair was white as Snow, his Eyes sparkling like Fire, his Feet shining like the purest Brass, and his Voice was as the Noise of the great Waters. He had se∣ven Stars in his Hand; there came out of his Mouth a sharp Sword, and his Countenance was like the Sun at Noon-day.
As soon as ever S. John beheld him, he fell at his Feet as one dead; but he raised him up, telling him, that the seven Stars which he held in his Hand, where the seven Angels, that is to say, the Bishops of the Se∣ven Churches. He commanded him to write what he saw, and to tell this in particular to these seven Bishops: To that of Ephesus, That he commmended him for his Vertue and Zeal against wicked Livers, and for his Patience in Adversity; but yet blamed him for having abated of his first Zeal; and admonished him, to remember whence he was fallen, and to Repent.
To him of Smyrna; He should comfort himself, seeing he was Rich in his Poverty, and unreproveable in the midst of all the Calumnies published against him: That he should arm himself against fresh Persecuti∣ons which were ready to fall upon him, and to continue faithful to death.
To him of Pergamus; That he praised him for his Faithfulness, but he did not vigo∣rously enough oppose Errors; that he should therefore repent of this and take new Courage.
To the Bishop of Thyatira; That he knew his Charity to the Poor, his Constancy in Persecutions, and his uninterrupted Piety; but that he blamed his want of Courage, whereby he suffered a false Prophetess to seduce the Faithful.
To him of Sardis; That he was as dead in the sight of GOD, altho' believed to be alive, and that his Works were imperfect; that he must repent, and remember what he had heard and received, otherwise he would come upon him, and surprize him like a Thief.
To him of Philadelphia; That he loved him for his Fidelity, and Patience in Sufferings, altho' otherwise he had not much Strength.
In fine, to him of Laodicea; That he could not suffer his Lukewarmness, and would therefore Spue him out of his Mouth: That he thought himself rich, though he was in∣deed poor, blind and naked: That he should therefore purchase Gold purified by Fire to enrich himself, and Garments white as Snow to cover his Nakedness.
These Judgments which our LORD, when Risen, made in Heaven of those who serve him on Earth, have fill'd the Holy Fathers with astonishment, S. Gregory, (amongst o∣thers) seemed to be much startled at them. He recites, says he, all the good which these Bishops have done, and yet declares to them, he will not pardon the Ill which they have done, till they have throughly repented of it. He strictly observes what progress every one makes in Vertue; and how he draws back from his first fervour. He marks out one single default amongst many great Ver∣tues, and represents them as soil'd by this mixture. One only Omission, and one on∣ly want of Vigour in a just occasion of∣fends him, and makes him threaten Persons otherwise vertuous, to remove their Candle∣stick, and give away their Crown to others.
In fine, says this Holy Prelate, our Saviour Christ shews us by this divine Revelation, what great Reasons the most just have for Humiliation; for should he shew them the bottom of their Hearts, they would find such stains, as would make them have a low e∣steem for whatever appears commendable in them, and would fill them with an holy Indignation against themselves.