TO THE MOST SERENE PRIN-

CE, THE MOST GLORIOUS KING OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE, HENRY,

the Eighth of this name, Lord of Ireland, defender of the catholic faith, Johannes Cochlaeus prays for everlasting health.

I A decorative initial 'I' marks the beginning of the dedication. have long wished, most invincible King, to dedicate some monument of my work to your Majesty with humble reverence. Through this, you might understand the affection and gratitude of my soul toward your Piety. I did not wish to seem forever ungrateful for your Royal book on the seven sacraments of the Church A reference to Henry VIII’s 1521 work "Assertio Septem Sacramentorum" against Luther, which was published especially for the pious instruction of the Germans. But this disturbance of peace and religion among us has so far cut off every opportunity for me, so that I could attest to this vow of my heart by no outward sign. Nor did it seem that my meager talent, troubled by the novelties and disasters of this time, could produce anything that might worthily serve your highness. Now, however, having found an ancient Author, a German by nation, pious in religion, venerable in virtue and holiness, pure and easy in style, and solid and distinguished in learning, I offer him to your Clemency as a witness to my vow. I do this more confidently and gladly because I know he greatly pleases the most learned and sincere Prelate, the counselor of your Serenity, the Reverend father and Lord John, Bishop of Rochester John Fisher, who was later executed by Henry VIII. He recently wrote back kindly to my small self in these words: "Those books," he said, "about which you wrote to me, especially those of Rupert of Deutz, I greatly desire, both those fourteen on John and the twelve on the Apocalypse. I wonder what he has divined in the Apocalypse, provided he followed the literal sense. For it has always seemed most difficult to me that anyone, without a new revelation, could ever worthily explain those mysteries, shadowed by such varied and obscure figures, according to the mind of the writer." These are his words, and indeed they are most true and given with the gravest judgment. For those mysteries are so hidden and so far above the reach of human understanding that even some of the ancients doubted this book. Some among the moderns even dared to write that this book seemed neither Apostolic nor prophetic to them, since no one knows what is contained therein. But you both shall see shortly how excellently this author of ours, against all waves of doubt, both vindicates the authority of the book and attains these sublime flights of the Eagle The eagle is the traditional symbol of John the Evangelist with the sharp eyes of his understanding.

Apocalypse 1.

That this book was truly written by John the Apostle and Evangelist is clearly testified by the text itself, in these very words: "I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and kingdom and patience in Jesus Christ, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus." This John was surely no other than John the Apostle and Evangelist, as the entire church and all history concerning the deeds of this John testify.

Dionysius to John the Evangelist, tenth epistle.

But even the blessed Dionysius Dionysius the Areopagite, an early Christian theologian, a most ancient author, makes mention of Patmos in the Epistle he wrote to that same John when he was then in exile. For these are his words: "Moreover, those who think they are wrongly acting by attacking you with injuries and banishing the Sun of the Gospel into exile: justly blaming them, I desire that they turn to good, having lost what they do to themselves, and by drawing you to themselves, become partakers of the light. But no storm, no adversity will deprive us of the most clear ray of John. We shall surely follow that by the memory and renewal of your most true Theology." After a little while (for I will speak even if it seems bold to say), "we shall be joined to you in most dear fellowship. But I am altogether more worthy of belief if I speak these things which I have learned from God (which are foreknown to you), namely that you are to be released from the custody of Patmos as a free man, and shall return to the land of Asia, and there you shall perform imitations of the good God, and hand them down to posterity." These are the words of the most holy father Dionysius. I report these, though they are somewhat long, so that there may be less doubt concerning the author of this most sacred book. As for what kind of revelations the Explainer of the book, our RUPERT, had, the world will shortly understand more clearly when his thirteen books on Matthew, concerning the glory and honor of the son of man, are brought to light. In the next to last of those, being urged by Cuno, Abbot of Siegburg, he declares how wonderfully and gloriously he received the grace of writing from above from the father of lights. This can be understood clearly from his other small works as well. But it would be long to report everything now, since it is better read each in its own place. Therefore, I pray and beseech your Piety, most clement King, that you receive this ancient German of ours with a serene face, whom we dedicate to your glory with a most devoted offering. Fare well, Prince, most famous and distinguished with a name eternal to posterity (because you are made by your own Greatness).

TO THE READER

H A decorative initial 'H' begins the address to the reader.ere you have, fair Reader, a brief summary and a compendium index of the more notable opinions and memorable histories of Christ and the author, scattered throughout this work. So that these may be found more quickly by those searching, we have divided each page into four parts, designated by these four letters: A, B, C, and D. Thus A indicates the beginning, B the upper middle, C the lower middle, and D the end of the page. This is so that you do not, perhaps occupied with other meditations, tediously waste too much time in a long and confused search, or lose a warm concept of the mind through forgetfulness. Enjoy therefore this labor of ours, and fulfill our lack with your more abundant study, if you desire anything further. Farewell.

A A decorative initial 'A' features a shepherd, likely the biblical Abel.bundance of iniquity signified by superfluous numbers. 118.d.
Abyss and earth are sometimes called reprobate men. 216.a.
Ahab the king, the nature of his penance. 35.d. 37.c.
Acceptance of persons does not exist in the calling to faith. 211.c.
Adam and Eve, before they were tempted outwardly, had perished within. 154.d.
Adoring God for temporal goods is less pleasing than for eternal ones. 157.d.
Adored by few before his passion, Christ was. 62.d. (67.d.)
Adored, why the angel did not wish to be by John. 204.c.
Advent of Christ with clouds will be manifest and terrible. 11.c.
Adulterating the word of God, they are likened to Balaam the soothsayer. 33.b.
Egyptians are from the line of Ham through Mizraim. 53.b.
Egyptians, impenitent through hatred and envy. Ibid. c.
Afflictions of the sons of unclear reading in broken times, Judgment. 96.c.
Affliction of certain ones of his bride, such as Daniel etc. 162.a.
Lamb of the Passover in Egypt redeemed less than the Lamb, Christ. 64.c.
Lamb standing upon Mount Sion, Christ. 160.b.
Lamb in heaven is the temple, in which the divinity dwells bodily. 229.d.
Acts of penance performed in different ways by different people. 37.b.
Agonizing for the sake of Christ, they are called his armies. 207.d.
Alexander the Great, why his kingdom is likened to a Leopard. 147.d.
Alleluia is a song of heavenly exultation. 202.c.
Altar made of earth is the flesh of Christ and Christ. 116.d.
Altitudes of Satan, they know, that is, they approve of heresies. 37.d.
Amalek from Edom, that is, Esau, in whom he labors because of hatred. 177.d.
Ambitions of the supernal city are double: one of 12 million furlongs, the other of 144 cubits. 227.c.
Amen, why it is not doubled by John as by other Evangelists. 12.d.
Amen, to say it is to confirm a true testimony. 67.c. 113.b.
Amen, come Lord Jesus: thus all the elect ought to say. 235.c.
Amice garment of Elijah, mourning because of the sins of the people. 120.c.
Angels are called and are the thrones of God. 7.c.
Angel, a double one seen by John: one a creature, the other Christ the Lord. 21.d.
Angels' manifold testimony concerning Christ. 62.c. 65.c.
Angels' number is infinite. 65.b.
Angels praise the lamb for three causes. Ibid. 84.c.
Angels' pious affection toward us. 88.b.
Angel of great counsel or of the testament, Christ is. 90.c. 91.b. 108.d.
Angel of the abyss, who is also the exterminator, contrary to Christ in all things. 100.d.
Angels' help against the battles of demons. 137.d. 138.b.
Angels of the waters are the authors and interpreters of sacred scripture. 178.b.
Animal, the first similar to a lion, preaches fear of judgment and penance. 165.c.
Souls of the saints, where they cry out for vengeance. 73.a.
Soul, how it dies while living in sin. 177.b.
Antichrist, why he is called a beast ascending from the sea. 145.c.
Antichrist's conception follows from the power of the devil. Ibid.
Antichrist is properly called a man of sin rather than a servant of sin. Ibid. d.
Antichrist is called a beast because of ferocity, and ascending because of the pride of his mind. 146.b.

Antichrist will imitate Christ in all things in a contrary way. 148.c. 151.b.
Antichrist will be admired by the whole earth, that is, all worldly people. 149.d.
Antichrist will have many flatterers who say that he is Christ. 150.c.
Antichrist, a certain sign that he will kill, which Christ did not do. 152.d. 11.a.
Antiochus Epiphanes, powerful in malice and extremely impious. 134.a. 147.c.
Antiochus's kingdom was a type of the kingdom of Antichrist. 148.a.
Antiochus was crushed without hands. 153.c.
Antichrist will receive his turn, and indeed a double one. 153.a.
Antiochians, on account of their own crime, will be inexcusable. 155.c.
Antichrist will not do signs of piety, but of vanity. 156.a.
Antichrist as a man is the seventh; as a devil, he is the eighth beast. 192.d.
Ancient fathers, catechized through figures, were baptized through the passion of Christ. 171.d.
Ancient counsel of the fates, to destroy the promised seed of Abraham. 192.d.
Attaining the written book is to attain the seven mysteries of Christ. 60.d.
Opened, Christ opened the book in a twofold way: by fulfilling it and by giving the spirit. 1. 63.c.
Opened, the gates of the heavenly city are always open, because neither enemies nor thieves are feared there. 230.c.
Apocalypse of John, a canonical book, greatly excellent. 1.c. 3.d. 14.b.
Apocalypse, the Greek title remains, because of its dignity. 2.c.
Apocalypse has the widest meanings in few words. 1.c. 8.b.
Apocalypse, why it has the title of the author three times in the beginning. 14.b. 232.d.
Apocalypse, many heretics have denied it. Ibid. 232.c. 235.c.
Apocalypse is not the milk of babes, but the solid food of the perfect. 24.b.
Apocalypse, consonant words in the beginning and end of the book. 232.c.
Apocalypse's authority is plainly divine. 235.c.
Apostolic salutation: Grace to you and peace. 6.b.
Apostles are called heavens, winds, and clouds. 79.d. 174.a.
Apostles, after receiving the Holy Spirit, the mysteries of the scriptures were not unknown to them, though they did not write them. 111.c.
Apostles laid the foundation, others build upon it. 112.b.
Apostles and Evangelists are also called prophets. 114.b.
Apostles are the firstfruits of the evangelical harvest. 169.a.
Apostles' calling to the supper of the great God. 211.b.
Apostles, twelve, are the twelve gates of the heavenly Jerusalem. 225.d.
Apostles are called foundations, gates, and holy mountains. 226.b.
Apostles' dignity is greater than that of Moses and the prophets. Ibid.
Apostles, twelve precious stones, yet with different beauty. 228.d.
Apostles are called both stones in the foundations and pearls in the gates. 229.a.
Apostles bring the glory and honor of the nations into that city. 230.c.
Water, where it was turned into wormwood, and how into blood. 177.d.
Waters, why they signify people. 186.b.
Eagle flying through the middle of heaven is sacred scripture. 95.d. 96.b.
Altar of the temple is Christ: but the temple is the Church. 89.b.
Ark of the testament prefigured the incarnation of Christ. 130.b.
Arius, a persistent henchman of the devil. 115.d.
Arius led the faithful away from the Church into the synagogue of Satan. 142.b.