B11837:1070
A hundred sermons upo[n] the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ revealed in deed by the angel of the Lord: but seen or received and written by the apostle and Eva[n]gelist. S. John: compiled by the famous and godly learned man, Henry Bullinger, chief pastor of the congregation of Zuryk. Newly set forth and allowed, according to the order appointed in the Queens majesties, iniuntions. The argument, worthiness, commodity, and use of this work, thou shalt find in the preface: after which thou hast a most exact table to lead thee into all the principal matters contained therein.A hundred sermons vpo[n] the Apocalips of Iesu Christe reueiled in dede by thangell of the Lorde: but seen or receyued and written by thapostle and Eua[n]gelist. S. Iohn: compiled by the famous and godly learned man, Henry Bullinger, chief pastor of the congregation of Zuryk. Newly set forth and allowed, according to the order appoynted in the Quenes maiesties, iniuntions. Thargument, wurthines, commoditie, and vse of this worke, thou shalt fynd in the preface: after which thou hast a most exact table to leade thee into all the princypall matters conteyned therin.
printed by John Day, 1561printed by Iohn Day, 1561
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Unto this he addeth an other thing also: and their enemies saw them.1 They saw I say, with an horrible fear, for whilst they shall see them, whom they have condemned for gods enemies, as the true and honourable friends of God to be in glory: thereof they shall gather, that they themselves shall be deputed into the fellowship of Devils. Read hereof a plentiful commentary in the .3. & .5. chapt. of the book of wisdom. Albeit therefore that the preachers of the Gospel in this present world be judged and seem and appear before the world as damned: yet in that same day, wherein all men shall be assembled, so many as ever have ben, be now, or shall be, unto all it shall be manifest, that these be the most dear friends of God, and that their cause is best. And herewith will the lord have them comforted which are persecuted, condemned, despised, and spurned for the preaching of Gods word. By these things he prepareth & establisheth the minds of the faithful, that they be not discouraged with the rebukes, revilings and oppressions of Antichrist and his limbs.
Vnto this he addeth an other thing also: and their enemies sawe them.1 They saw I saye, with an horrible feare, for whilest they shall see them, whom they haue condēned for gods enemies, as the trewe and honorable frendes of God to be in glory: therof they shal gather, that they themselues shal be deputed into the fellowship of Deuilles. Reade herof a plentiful cōmentary in the .3. & .5. chapt. of the boke of wisedome. Albeit therfore that the preachers of the Gospell in this present worlde be iudged and seme and appere before the world as damned: yet in that same daye, wherin all men shal be assembled, so many as euer haue ben, be now, or shall be, vnto al it shal be manifest, yt these be the most dere frēdes of God, and that their cause is best. And herewith wil the lorde haue them comforted which are persecuted, condemned, dispised, and spurned for the preachyng of Gods worde. By these thinges he prepareth & establissheth the mindes of the faithful, that thei be not discouraged with the rebukes, reuilinges and oppressions of Antichrist and his limmes.
Finally the Lord addeth also certain things of the miseries of the Antichristians,1 wherewith the righteous Lord beginneth to punish them, & to interrupt their wicked joys, that at the last in an other world he may put the same to torments, that never shall have end. In that same hour, sayeth he, the same time doubtless wherein they shall afflict the prophets, ⟨p. 334⟩shall be made a great Earthquake, & the tenth part of the city shall fall. And the tenth part we understand to be great, yet so, that the more part shall remain in error. As S. Peter prophesied should come to pass, in the .2. of Peter the .2. And the Lord him self also in the .7. of Matth. And he seemeth to recite two evils, which hang over them, calamities, and revoltinges. For S. John him self seemeth to add an exposition, and to say: and there were slain in the Earthquake the names of seven thousand men. And the residue were affrayed, and gave glory to God of Heaven.
Finally the Lorde addeth also certen thinges of the miseries of the Antichristians,1 wherwith the rightuouse Lord beginneth to punnish them, & to interrupte their wicked ioyes, that at the last in an other world he maye put ye same to tourmētes, that neuer shal haue ende. In that same houre, sayeth he, the same time doubtles wherin they shall afflicte the prophetes, ⟨p. 334⟩shal be made a great Earthquake, & the tenth parte of the citie shal fal. And the tenth part we vnderstād to be great, yet so, that the more parte shal remaine in errour. As S. Peter prophecied should come to passe, in the .2. of Peter the .2. And the Lord him selfe also in the .7. of Matth. And he semeth to recite two euilles, which hāge ouer them, calamities, and reuoltinges. For S. Iohn him selfe semeth to adde an exposition, and to saye: and there were slayne in the Earthquake the names of seuen thousande men. And the residewe were affrayed, and gaue glory to God of Heauen.
Therefore I suppose by the Earthquake to be signified exceeding great alterations,1 commotions, seditions, wars, slaughters and destructions. And he said the names of men after the Hebrew phrase, for a number of men. And he put, 7000. a number certain, for an uncertain: as where it is said to Elijah, I have left me seven thousand men, which have not bowed their knees to Baal. For if it signifieth a great multitude. Likewise he signifieth here also, that no small number of Antichristians shall be dispatched out of the way by slaughter and sundry or all kinds of calamities. Again he signifieth that the tenth part of the world, that is to say the adherents and favourers of the Romish church shall revolt not a few of them from the same church, being feared with the preaching of God his word, and with plagues inflicted to the enemies of God his word, and so they shall forsake the Romish church, that they shall give all glory to the God of Heaven.
Therfore I suppose by the Earthquake to be signified excedyng greate alterations,1 commotions, seditions, warres, slaughters and distructions. And he sayed the names of men after the Hebrewe phrase, for a nombre of men. And he put, 7000. a nombre certayne, for an vncertayne: as where it is sayed to Helias, I haue lefte me seuen thousande men, which haue not boughed their knees to Baal. For if it signifieth a great multitude. Likewise he signifieth here also, that no smal nombre of Antichristians shal be dispatched out of the waye by slaughter and sondry or all kindes of calamities. Agayne he signifieth that the tenth parte of the world, that is to saye the adherentes and fauourers of the Romisshe churche shall reuolte not a fewe of them from the same church, beyng feared with the preachyng of God his worde, and with plagues inflicted to the enemies of God his worde, and so they shal forsake the Romisshe churche, that they shal geue all glory to the God of Heauen.
1Hitherto being abused with the Romish trifles, and sophistical opinions, they have not given all glory wholly to the true God, creator of heaven end earth, and the inhabiter and giver of heaven, whilst they have attributed more unto creatures. mens inventions, and to errors, than to the verity: and communicated the glory, which they owe to God alone, unto saints also, and to the works of their hands: but now being instructed with the preaching of the gospel, they will depend of God alone, and will ascribe all glory unto him through Christ.
1Hitherto being abused with the Romish trifles, and sophisticall opinions, they haue not geuen all glory wholy to the trewe God, creatour of heauen end earth, and the inhabiter and geuer of heauen, whilest they haue attributed more vnto creatures. mens inuentions, and to errours, than to the veritie: and communicated the glory, which they owe to God alone, vnto sainctes also, and to the workes of their handes: but now beyng instructed with the preachyng of the gospel, they wil depende of God alone, and wil ascribe al glory vnto him through Christ.
Now if ye confer herewith histories not old (for whereunto should I molest you with a long rehearsal) but lately ⟨p. 335⟩made, & that with in these hundred years, thou shalt give a wonderful light hereunto. When the preachers of Bohemia were burnt at Constance, a great commotion of the people ensued immediately, the Bohemers moving mortal war against the Romans. Aeneas Siluius him self wrote of that war, wherein many thousands of men were slain, and many places destroyed and laid waste. Moreover innumerable men, forsake the sea of Rome. In our memory where through the instigation of Rome a grievous persecution was stirred up against the faithful, and certain thousands of faithful slain, besides the expectation of all men,1 Rome was taken in the year of our Lord .1527. and so defaced and spoiled, that the same calamity might be compared with those old and greatest that ever were. Neither yet do the princes cease to war amongst themselves, and to weaken themselves with mutual destruction, which never cease in a manner to shed the blood of the faithful. But we are glad and rejoice, that a won derful number at this day do revolt from that Romish see, and giveth to God through Christ all glory. To him be glory and rule for ever and ever. Amen.
Nowe if ye conferre herwith histories not olde (for wherunto shoulde I moleste you with a long rehersall) but lately ⟨p. 335⟩made, & that with in these hondreth yeres, thou shalt geue a wōderful light herunto. Whē the preachers of Boheme were burnt at Constaūce, a great cōmotion of the people insewed immediatly, the Bohemers mouyng mortall warre against the Romaines. Aeneas Siluius him selfe wrote of that warre, wherin many thousandes of menne were slayne, and many places distroyed and layde waste. Moreouer innumerable men, forsake ye sea of Rome. In our memorie where through the instigation of Rome a greuouse persecution was stired vppe agaynst the faithfull, and certen thousandes of faythful slaine, besides the expectation of al men,1 Rome was taken in the yere of our Lord .1527. and so defaced and spoiled, that the same calamitie might be cōpared with those olde and greatest that euer were. Nother yet do the princes cease to warre emonges themselues, and to weaken themselues with mutual distruction, whiche neuer cease in a maner to shede the bloud of the faithful. But we are glad and reioice, that a wō derful nombre at this daye do reuolte from that Romish see, and geueth to God through Christ all glory. To him be glory and rule for euer and euer. Amen.
The second woe is past, 1and behold the .iii. woe will come anon. And the seventh Angel blew, & there were made great voices in heaven saying: The kingdoms of this world are made our lords & his christs, and he shall reign for evermore. And the four and twenty Elders which sit before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God saying: we give thanks to thee Lord God almighty: which art ⟨p. 336⟩and waste, and art to come: for thou haste received thy great power, and hast reigned.
THe second wo is past, 1and beholde the .iii. wo will come anone. And the seuenth Angell blewe, & there were made greate voices in heauen saiyng: The kyngedomes of this world are made our lordes & his christes, and he shall reigne for euermore. And the foure and twenty Elders whiche sitte before God on their seates, fel vpon their faces, and worshipped God saiyng: we geue thankes to thee Lorde God almightie: whiche arte ⟨p. 336⟩and waste, and art to come: for thou haste receiued thy great power, and hast raigned.
By the seven tromps Angelical not only the destinies of the church are showed, but all the godly are also excited to watch, and to keep spiritual war.
By the seuen trompes Angelicall not only the destenies of the church are shewed, but all the godly are also excited to watche, and to kepe spirituall warre.
And to the three last trumpets, as most dangerous, are joined three woes,1 signifying, as I said in the end of the 8. chapt. that all kind of troubles and most grievous afflictions shall chance in these times, whereby men shall be brought in greatest distress. And the first in deed he hath severed from the second and third, by these words: one woe is past, and lo two woes are yet to come after this. Which manner of speech doeth not break of the matters, but frameth the speech in order. For the popish woe ceaseth not, when the Turkish woe cometh on, but afflicteth the churches together. That manner of speaking is given therefore to the order: so now he discerneth the third woe from the second: signifying in deed that Mahometes law shall endure to the last judgement: and yet in the mean time denieth not, but that Papistry shall continue so long also, whereof he hath hitherto in the .11. chapt. discoursed many things, having finished the matters of Mahomet in the .9. chapt. Therefore the sense of the Apostles words seemeth to be this: you have heard of the first and second woe, hear furthermore also of the third and last woe.
And to the three last trompettes, as most daūgerouse, are ioyned three woes,1 signifiyng, as I sayde in the ende of the 8. chapt. that al kinde of troubles and most greuouse afflictions shal chaūce in these times, wherby men shal be brought in greatest distresse. And the first in dede he hath seuered frō the seconde and thirde, by these wordes: one wo is past, and lo two woes are yet to come after this. Whiche maner of speach doeth not breake of the matters, but frameth ye speach in order. For the popish wo ceaseth not, when the Turkisshe wo cometh on, but afflicteth the churches to gether. That maner of speaking is geuen therfore to the order: so now he discerneth the thirde wo from the seconde: signifiyng in dede that Mahometes lawe shal indure to the last iudgemēt: and yet in the meane time denieth not, but that Papistrie shal cō tinewe so long also, wherof he hath hitherto in the .11. chapt. discoursed many thinges, hauyng finisshed the matters of Mahomet in the .9. chapt. Therfore the sense of the Apostles wordes semeth to be this: you haue hearde of the firste and seconde wo, heare furthermore also of the thirde and last wo.
And we must mark (which thing maketh chiefly for the consolation of the godly) that the Apostle sayeth expressly, that the first and second woe are paste. For so he signifieth, that these two greatest tyrants shall have an end, and that God hath even prescribed them certain limits and bounds, which they can not pass. Let us therefore rejoice, that God hath a care over us, which will not neglect, neither will permit the wicked to do more than appertaineth.
And we must marke (which thing maketh chiefly for the consolation of the godly) that the Apostle sayeth expressely, that the first and seconde wo are paste. For so he signifieth, that these two greatest tirannes shall haue an ende, and that God hath euen prescribed them certen limites and boūdes, which they can not passe. Let vs therefore reioyce, that God hath a care ouer vs, which will not neglecte, nother will permitte the wicked to do more than apperteyneth.
1The third woe shall stick, not in the godly, but in the wicked what time being oppressed with the last judgement, they shall go besides their expectation with their head the Devil, to everlasting torments. No tongue be it never so eloquent, can utter those unspeakable pains of this third woe. Wherefore Daniel sayeth also in the .12. chapt. And the ⟨p. 337⟩time shall be herd, such as hath not ben since the beginning of people. But when this woe shall be, is not expressed, nor determined, as neither the day of judgement: which is known to the father alone, & therefore must not be searched of us over curiously. That same is sufficient for us, that it shall come shortly. For the Lord saith in the gospel, that he will for the elects sake shorten those hard times. And again, when these things begin to be done, look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption approacheth near. But these things begin not now to be done, but are already accomplished. Wherefore it cannot be chosen, but that our redemption is at hand. Away than with thought and care, wherewith many torment themselves, that God delayeth over long, that he giveth over much to the wicked, that the godly are vexed to sore, and in manner forsaken, much more neglected. For the verity saith: And behold the third woe shall come anon, to wit in time. For in the tenth chapt. he affirmed by a solemn oath, that he will come unto judgement. Now as concerning the very moment and opportunity of time, give glory to God, and acknowledge him in the courses of times, and in all things and creatures, to use an opportunity most exquisite. Where therefore thou confessest in thy creed, I believe that the Lord shall come from the right hand of the father, to judge the quick and the dead: confess also that he will come in time most dew: And like as from the beginning of the world, he hath never forsaken or neglected those that served him, so will he no more neglect them in the end of the world.
1The thirde wo shal sticke, not in the godly, but in the wicked what time beyng oppressed with the laste iudgemente, they shall goe besides theyr expectation with their head the Deuill, to euerlastyng tourmentes. No tongue be it neuer so eloquent, can vtter those vnspeakeable paynes of this thirde wo. Wherefore Daniel sayeth also in the .12. chapt. And the ⟨p. 337⟩
For it followeth,1 that may expound the things that go before. And the seventh Angel blew. For he declareth that the judge is now at hand, he raiseth from the dead, the godly and ungodly: the godly unto joy, the wicked to pain everlasting. These shall be new battles, but to the wicked unfortunate, and altogether miserable. Of the trumpet of this Angel, you read in the gospel of S. Matthew. in the .24. chapt. and in S. Paul in the .4. chapt. of the first to the Thessa. He should adjoin now, the whole manner and discourse of that last judgement: but he will differ it to the .19. and .20. chapt. In the mean time will he recite as he hath promised, ⟨p. 338⟩the furies of Satan against the church, and how he will use those notable instruments the old and new Roman Empire, to commit murder, and in manner to destroy the church: wherein not withstanding the wicked shall in this world also be put to most grievous punishments. Now omitting, or rather reserving these things to their own place, he celebrateth the gratulations, rejoicings and praises of Saints.
For it foloweth,1 that may expounde the thinges that go before. And the seuenth Angell blewe. For he declareth that the iudge is now at hand, he raiseth from the dead, the godly and vngodly: the godly vnto ioy, the wicked to payne euerlasting. These shalbe new battelles, but to the wicked vnfortunate, and altogether miserable. Of the trompet of this Angell, you reade in the gospell of S. Matthew. in the .24. chapt. and in S. Paule in the .4. chapt. of the firste to the Thessa. He shoulde adioyne nowe, the whole maner and discourse of that last iudgement: but he wyll differre it to the .19. and .20. chapt. In the meane time wil he recite as he hath promysed, ⟨p. 338⟩the furies of Sathan againste the churche, and howe he will vse those notable instrumentes the olde and newe Romane Empire, to committe murther, and in maner to distroye the churche: wherein not withstandyng the wicked shall in this world also be put to moste greuouse punnishmentes. Nowe omitting, or rather reseruynge these thinges to their owne place, he celebrateth the gratulatiōs, reioycinges and praises of Sainctes.
1The pride and arrogance of the wicked, and chiefly of the Antichristians hath seemed hitherto in the world intolerable: they have oppressed the godly, bragged of their victories and have boasted of their own felicity with full cheeks: and as we shall hear in the .18. chapt. of this book, that beast hath said: I sit as Queen, & am no widow, and shall never see any sorrow. For voices are heard from Rome: all Empires are ours. It is known what manner of things Augustinus Steuchus an Italian and chief champion of the Popes holiness hath set forth in this cause against Laurence Valla, about the donation of Constantine. And daily are heard the brags & rejoicings of the papists, of the everlasting continuance of the See of Rome, of her victories, & oppression of the preaching of the Gospel, & that the same hath her power stretched through out the world, &c. But in that day (what time verily our lord Jesus Christ, shall abolish all power, rule, & authority & shall have made all his enemies his foot stool according to the scripture in the .110. Psalm. And in the .1. to the Corinth. the .15.) There shall be heard again the voices of the glad and joyful, singing true and eternal triumphing songs in heaven. For Angels and saints shall sing together: wherefore the voices shall be greater & more durable, than the voices of Christs enemies, which last but a small season.
1The pride and arrogancie of the wicked, and chiefly of the Antichristians hath semed hitherto in the world intollerable: thei haue oppressed the godly, bragged of their victories and haue boasted of theyr owne felicitie with full chekes: and as we shall heare in the .18. chapt. of this boke, that beaste hath sayed: I sitte as Quene, & am no widowe, and shal neuer see any sorrow. For voices are hearde from Rome: al Empires are oures. It is knowen what maner of thinges Augustinus Steuchus an Italian and chiefe champion of the Popes holines hath set forth in this cause against Laur••ce Valla, about the donation of Cōstantine. And dayly are hearde the brags & reioycings of the papistes, of the euerlasting cōtinuaūce of the See of Rome, of her victories, & oppression of the preachyng of the Gospell, & that the same hath her power stretched through out the world, &c. But in that day (what time verely our lord Iesus Christ, shal abolish al power, rule, & authoritie & shal haue made al his enemies his fote stoole accordyng to the scripture in the .110. Psalme. And in the .1. to the Corinth. the .15.) Ther shal be hearde againe the voyces of the gladde and ioyeful, singing trewe and eternal triumphing songes in heauen. For Angelles and sainctes shal sing together: wherfore the voices shal be greater & more durable, thā the voices of Christes enemies, which last but a smal season.
1Now also he rehearseth the song or triumphant ditty, and rejoicing: the kingdoms of this world are made our lords, & his Christs, and he shall reign for ever more, Amen. He showeth two things, that all kingdoms are made the fathers and the sons: and that he shall reign for evermore. Al kingdoms were before also our lord Jesus Christs: but the same appeared not so plainly to all men, what time the bishop of Rome also usurped the same to him self, & oppressed ⟨p. 339⟩them which did only celebrate the name of Christ. But in that it shall truly appear, and that to all flesh, that all kingdoms were ever, and yet remain of one & the eternal God. Christ therefore overcometh, the verity overcometh, the gospel overcometh, the church overcometh: they that are vanquished, shall be led to hell, Mahomet with his, & the Bishop of Rome with his. There is added, that Christ shall reign for ever more. Antichrist in deed hath reigned, and the wicked have rejoiced in this world, but a very short time: but now shall the godly reign with christ for ever more. Neither doeth he now divide the kingdom of the father & the son, but showeth it to be common, where he sayeth that the kingdoms are made: that is to say. it is openly declared, that all kingdoms are of God the father and the son, and that he shall reign with his elect for evermore. So you may see that the place of S. Paul may not be expounded after the letter, which is written in the .1. to the Corinth. the .15. chapt. of that the son•• must be subjected, & shall deliver the kingdom to his father. For he shall deliver the kingdom, to wit the church: that is to say, shall bring, and present it to the father, and in his members shall be subject to the father, with whom not withstanding he him self shall reign for ever. The affirmative vocable is annexed, Amen. Leest any man should doubt one whit of these celestial mysteries. Howbeit he doeth more plainly expound afterward, what those voices are that were spoken in Heaven, whilst he annexeth the narration of the .xxiiii. Elders, and of such things wherewith they praised God.
1Nowe also he rehearseth the songe or triumphaunt dittie, and reioycyng: the kingdomes of this worlde are made our lordes, & his Christes, and he shal raigne for euer more, Amē. He sheweth two thinges, that all kingedomes are made the fathers and the sonnes: and that he shal raigne for euermore. Al kingdomes were before also our lord Iesus Christes: but the same appered not so plainely to al men, what time the bisshop of Rome also vsurped the same to him selfe, & oppressed
And here the most goodly & beautiful order of this book seemeth to me worthy to be observed. In the beginning of this vision he brought in the same elders, teaching us by their exam ple & hymns, what we should do: the same therefore he bringeth again also in the end of this vision, that we might be instructed again by their words & doings, not only concerning the last judgement, of what sort it shall be, most righteous doubtless, as all his judgements are (which the whole vision approveth) but that also we should understand, what becometh us, & what we should do: verily that we should worship god, & submit our selves whole unto him: & believe steadfastly that both the judgement shall assuredly come, & that also it shall be most just.
And here the most goodly & beautifull order of this boke semeth to me worthie to be obserued. In ye beginning of this visiō he brought in the same elders, teaching vs by their exā ple & himnes, what we should do: the same therefore he bringeth againe also in the ende of this vision, that we might be instructed againe by their wordes & doynges, not only concernyng ye last iudgement, of what sorte it shal be, most rightouse doubtles, as al his iudgementes are (which ye whole visiō approueth) but yt also we shuld vnderstād, what becometh vs, & what we shuld do: verely that we should worship god, & submit our selues whole vnto him: & beleue stedfastly yt both ye iudgement shal assuredly come, & yt also it shalbe most iuste.
1The hymn or prayer, which they offer up unto God, is a kind of praise. For it is a thanksgiving or rejoicing for victory. For in such sort they give God thanks, that nevertheless they celebrate god highly, and rejoice to themselves and to all godly for their salvation. For they give god thanks for their salvation. And commend his justice and verity, which he showeth in this his judgement, rewarding the good with good things, and the evil with evil. Therefore like as they rise out of their chairs and fall down before almighty God: even so aught we also both now and ever to do. Whereof is spoken more in the .4. chap. Here we should learn humility, and that God alone is to be worshipped, & that to him alone all prayers or invocations, or giving of thanks must be offered: the which thing is clean repugnant to the popish doctrine.
1The himne or prayer, which they offer vp vnto God, is a kynde of prayse. For it is a thankesgeuyng or reioysing for victory. For in such sort they geue God thanks, that neuerthelesse they celebrate god highly, and reioyce to themselues and to al godly for their saluatiō. For they geue god thanks for their saluation. And cōmend his iustice and veritie, which he sheweth in this his iudgement, rewarding the good with good things, and the euil with euil. Therfore like as they rise out of their chayres and fal downe before almighty God: euen so aught we also both nowe and euer to do. Whereof is spoken more in the .4. chap. Here we should learne humilitie, and that God alone is to be worshipped, & that to him alone al praiers or inuocatiōs, or geuing of thāks must be offered: the which thing is cleane repugnaūt to the popish doctryne.
