Revelation 11:8-10

1599 Geneva Bible

Footnotes

1. Revelation 11:8

   That is, openly at Rome: where at that time was a most great concourse of people, the year of Jubilee being then first ordained by Boniface unto the same end, in the year of Christ a thousand three hundred, example whereof is read, Rev. 1. Extra, de penitentys & remissionibus. So by one act he committed double injury against Christ, both abolishing his truth by the restoring of the type of the Jubilee, and triumphing over his members by most wicked superstitions. O religious heart! Now that we should understand the things of Rome, Saint John himself is the author, both after in the seventeenth Chapter almost throughout, and also in the circumscription now next following, when he saith, it is that great City (as Rev. 17; 18 he calleth it) and is spiritually termed Sodom and Egypt: that spiritually (for that must here again be repeated from before) Christ was there crucified. For the two first appellations signify spiritual wickednesses: the latter signifieth the show and pretence of good, that is, of Christian and sound religion. Sodom signifieth most licentious impiety and injustice: Egypt most cruel persecution of the people of God: and Jerusalem signifieth the most confident glorying of that city, as it were in true religion, being yet full of falsehood and ungodliness. Now who is ignorant that these things do rather, and more agree unto Rome than unto any other city? The commendations of the City of Rome for many years past are publicly notorious, which are not for me to gather. This only I will say that he long since did very well see what Rome is, who taking his leave thereof, used these verses:

   Roma vale, vidi, Satis est vidisse: revertar,

   Quumleno, meretrix, scurra, cinadus ero.

   Now farewell Rome, I have thee seen: It was enough to see:

   I will return when as I mean, bawd, harlot knave to be.

2. Revelation 11:8 After a most secret kind of meaning and understanding.
3. Revelation 11:8 Namely in his members, as also he said unto Saul, Acts 9:5.
4. Revelation 11:9 That is, for three years and a half for so many years Boniface lived after his Jubilee as Bergomensis witnesseth.
5. Revelation 11:10 So much the more shall they by this occasion exercise the jollity of their Jubilee.
6. Revelation 11:10 The gospel of Christ, in the affliction of the world, and the ministry thereof, the savor of death unto death to those that perish, 2 Cor. 2:16.