Collation 15 - Collations on the Hexaemeron — Bonaventure
English Latin
A. Third Treatise on the Third Vision, Which, Continuing the Preceding One, First Demonstrates How the Antichrist Also is Shown in the Twelve Principal Mysteries
1500 FIFTEENTH COLLATION Third Treatise on the Third Vision, Which, Continuing the Preceding One, First Demonstrates How the Antichrist Also Is Shown in the Twelve Principal Mysteries; and Then Begins to Deal with the Infinite Heavenly Theories Growing from the Seeds and Fruits of Scripture. COLLATIO XV DE TERTIA VISIONE TRACTATIO TERTIA, QUAE, CONTINUANS PRAECEDENTEM, PRIMO MANIFESTAT, QUOMODO IN DUODECIM MYSTERIIS PRINCIPALIBUS OSTENDATUR ETIAM ANTICHRISTUS; DEINDE INCIPIT AGERE DE INFINITIS CAELESTIBUS THEORIIS GERMINANTES EX SEMINIBUS ET FRUCTIBUS SCRIPTURAE'
1. How the Antichrist Also is Shown in the Twelve Principal Mysteries
a. Creation of Beings
1. THE earth brought forth vegetation, every kind of seed-bearing plant. It has been explained how Christ is shown in the twelve principal mysteries. Contrariwise, the Antichrist may be seen [in them], and this is manifested as follows. The first mystery is that of the creation of beings , and there [the Antichrist] is represented by Lamech who was the first to introduce bigamy and was a transgressor of the natural law and given to extreme lust. Then the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were fair, and they took wives for themselves, as many as they wished. Because of this came the Flood. And hence it is possible to surmise what the Antichrist will be like: he is the filthiest one. And his symbolic meaning is shown in this, that he would kill the one to whom a token had been given, that is, the Jews represented by Cain. Wherefore Lamech shall be avenged . . . seventy times sevenfold, for his sin will be greater than the sin of the Jews. 1. Protulit terra herbam virentem et facientem semen iuxta genus suum . Dictum est, quod in duodecim mysteriis principalibus ostenditur Christus; et per oppositum ostenditur antichristus, quod sic manifestatur. -- Primum est mysterium conditionis rerum; et ibi ostenditur per Lamech , qui primus introduxit bigamiam et fuit transgressor legis naturae et fuit luxuriosissimus; et tunc videntes filii Dei filias hominum, quod essent pulcrae, acceperunt sibi uxores ex omnibus, quas elegerant . Propter quod inductum fuit diluvium. Et inde colligitur, qualis erit antichristus, quia immundissimus; et inde ostenditur eius significatio, quia interficiet illum, in quo positum est signum, scilicet Iudaeos, qui per Cain significantur. Et ideo de Lamec ultio dabitur septuagies septies quia maius erit peccatum eius quam peccatum Iudaeorum.
b. Punishment of Crimes
2. In the second mystery, that of the punishment of crimes , [the Antichrist] is represented by Nemrod who was the first to make himself emperor, and under whose command a tower was built that was to reach up to heaven. By this it may be seen that the Antichrist would be filled with the greatest pride, to the point of being exalted above all that is called God. 2. In secundo mysterio, scilicet punitionis scelerum, signatur per Nemrod , qui primus se fecit imperatorem, cuius etiam auctoritate aedificata est turris, quae tangeret caelum; in quo intelligitur, quod antichristus erit superbissimus, ita ut extollatur super omne, quod dicitur Deus .
c. Calling of the Fathers
3. In the third mystery, that of the calling [of the fathers ] he is represented by Dan. And some commentators choose to say that he will literally belong to the tribe of Dan. I would not dare to assert that it will be so. And yet in the Apocalypse the tribe of Dan is not designated. It is said in Genesis of this same Dan: Dan shall be a serpent by the road, a viper by the path, that hides itself in the sand in order to catch the birds flying around; and in this it is shown that he was extremely deceitful. Biting at the hoofs of the horse, so that the rider tumbles backward: certainly, the horse is a symbol for the preacher of truth, and the hoof points to evangelical perfection, which the Antichrist will fight. For a horse is worthless unless it has a steady hoof. Joseph, therefore, accompanied the sons of the servant-girls who sold their brother; but Dan was the first-born of the sons of the servant-girls. 3. In tertio mysterio, scilicet vocationis vel electionis Patrum, signatur per Dan; et aliqui volunt dicere, quod ad litteram erit de tribu Dan. Utrum autem ita sit, non auderem affirmare; attamen in Apocalypsi tribus Dan non signatur. De isto Dan dicitur in Genesi: Fiat Dan coluber in via, cerastes in semita , qui abscondit se in sabulo, ut capiat aves circa se volantes; et in hoc ostenditur quod erit fraudulentissimus. Mordet autem ungulas equorum, ut cadat ascensor eius retrorsum . Certum est, quod per equum significatur praedicator veritatis, per ungulam significatur perfectio evangelica, quam antichristus impugnabit. Equus enim, si non habet fixionem ungulae, nihil valet. Ioseph igitur erat cum filiis ancillarum, qui vendiderunt fratrem suum; Dan autem primogenitus fuit ancillarum.
d. Giving of the Law
4. In the fourth mystery, that is, the giving of the law , [the Antichrist] is symbolized by Balaam, who offered the worst advice, was an idolater, and although he said many good things, yet raised pagan altars and consulted auguries. And in this it is shown that he was the worst idolator and worshiper of evil spirits. Instead, he shall give glory to the god of strongholds. 4. In quarto mysterio, scilicet lationis Legis, signatur per Balaam , qui dedit pessimum consilium, qui fuit idololatra, et licet multa bona diceret, tamen aras aedificabat et auguria quaerebat. Et in hoc significatur, quod erit pessimus idololatra et invocator daemonum; in Daniele: Deum autem Maozim in loco suo venerabitur .
e. Crushing of Enemies
f. Establishment or Promotion of Judges
5. In the fifth mystery, that is, the crushing of enemies , [the Antichrist] is symbolized by Achan who was infuriated by the anathema and died excommunicated; and in this it is shown that he [the Antichrist] will be most miserly and rapacious. In the sixth mystery, that is, the establishment or promotion of judges , he is symbolized by Abimelech who killed seventy brothers who were better than himself; and in this it is shown that he will be most cruel. 5. In quinto mysterio, scilicet prostrationis hostium, signatur per Achan , qui furatus fuit de anathemate et mortuus est excommunicatus; et in hoc significatur, quod erit avarissimus et rapacissimus. -- In sexto mysterio, scilicet constitutionis vel promotionis iudicum, signatur per Abimelech , qui septuaginta fratres meliores se interfecit; et in hoc significatur, quod erit crudelissimus.
g. Anointing of Kings
h. Revelation of Prophets
6. In the seventh mystery, the anointing of kings , he is symbolized by the armed Goliath. For he will be exteriorly magnificent, and he will also speak blasphemies against the people of God. In the eighth mystery, the revelation of prophets, he is symbolized by the impudent king, because he will know arguments and reasons beyond man's capacity, and will be skilled in intrigue and most shrewd. 6. In septimo mysterio, scilicet functionis regum, signatur per Goliam armatum, qui exprobrabat agminibus filiorum Israel. Erit enim magnificus in exterioribus, loquetur etiam blasphemiam contra populum Dei . -- In octavo mysterio, scilicet revelationis prophetarum, signatur per regem impudentem , quia sciet argumenta et rationes ultra humanum modum, quia erit intelligens propositiones et astutissimus.
i. Restoration of Princes
j. Redemption of Mankind
7. In the ninth mystery, the restoration of princes, he is symbolized by Antiochus —which is said to mean "silence of poverty" —who completely destroyed all laws, wanting to have one only, and who killed the seven brothers. He also did what none had dared to do: he destroyed the Law of the Jews (yet he attempted to disperse the Jews, but failed). Hence he [the Antichrist] will be a destroyer of the Evangelical Law and a killer of Christians. In the tenth mystery, the redemption of mankind , he is symbolized by Judas the Traitor. For he will be most malicious. 7. In nono mysterio, scilicet restaurationis principum, signatur per Antiochum , qui interpretatur silentium paupertatis, qui destruxit omnes leges universaliter, volens unam facere; qui illos septem fratres interfecit . Fecit etiam quod nullus ausus fuit, scilicet destruere legem Iudaeorum -- verum est, quod Aman attentavit Iudaeos disperdere, sed non praevaluit -- in quo significatur, quod erit destructor legis evangelicae et occisor Christianorum. -- In decimo mysterio, scilicet redemptionis hominum, signatur per Iudam proditorem . Erit enim malignissimus.
k. Diffusion of Charismatic Gifts
l. Opening of Scriptures
8. In the eleventh mystery, the diffusion of charismatic gifts , he is symbolized by Simon the Magician, who wanted to buy the Holy Spirit, who rose up to great heights and then fell, who called upon evil spirits. For he [the Antichrist] will be the worst liar: he will come with deceitful signs and prodigies. In the twelfth mystery, the opening of scriptures , he is symbolized by the beast from the depth, the one that comes up out of the abyss, who will crush all things. For he [the Antichrist] will be consummate in every form of malice; he will have seven heads, that is, every kind of temptation and every method, working at times through riches, at other times through false miracles, at others again through fear, etc. Hence in Job: He carries his tail like a cedar, for in him every form of malice will be inflated. And as Christ enjoyed every charismatic gift in order that He be able to receive the assumed [human] nature, so also this one possessed every form of malice. 8. In mysterio undecimo, scilicet diffusionis charismatum, signatur per Simonem magum , qui voluit emere Spiritum sanctum et in altum ascendit et postea cecidit, qui daemones invocavit. Erit enim mendacissimus, ut veniat in signis et prodigiis mendacibus. -- In mysterio duodecimo, scilicet reserationis Scripturarum, signatur per bestiam abyssalem sive ascendentem de abysso , quae omnia conculcat. Erit enim consummatus in omni malitia. Habebit enim septem capita, id est omnia genera tentandi et omnes modos, nunc per divitias, nunc per falsa miracula, nunc per metum etc. Unde in Iob: Stringit caudam quasi cedrum y quia in eo conflabunt^ omnes malitiae; et sicut Christus habuit omnia charismata, ut natura assumpta potuit accipere; sic ille omnes malitias habebit.