B11837:1159
A hundred sermons upo[n] the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ revealed in deed by the angel…A hundred sermons vpo[n] the Apocalips of Iesu Christe reueiled in dede by thangell…
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.
And first he showeth the beginning of this Empire.1 A beast cometh out of the Sea, on the sand whereof standeth the Dragon: and in the .17. chapt. it is said, how the beast came out of the bottomless pit. Therefore the beginning hereof is referred to Satan. Notwithstanding we must here take diligent heed, that we take away nothing from the lord our God, the which he challengeth to ⟨p. 370⟩him self. The Scripture in sundry places, but chiefly by two most excellent witnesses, by Daniel in the .3. chapt. and S. Paul in the .13. chapt. to the Romans, hath set forth, that kingdoms and Empires are of the Lord, and that he setteth up & deposeth kings. There is no power, sayeth the apostle,2 but of God. And hitherto in deed the apostles command to obey Princes and magistrates. Howe is it than that we hear, that the Roman Empire came out of the bottomless pit, sins the Apostle speaketh of the same? doubtless the Roman Empire is not absolutely of the Devil. For God is the author of Monarchies, and preserveth realms and policies, giving thereunto certain faithful servants. But satan meddleth with mens matters, and corrupteth both kings, & kingdoms: and so long they be of the Devil. The Christians in all politic matters obeyed Emperors, but commanding Idolatry they obeyed them not.3 Certain it is, that God did institute the kingdom of Israel or of ten tribes by the prophet Ahiab: yet nevertheless the lord crieth out in an other prophet,4 they have reigned in deed, but not by me. For the lord would have had those kings to have framed all things after his word, and to reign in the fear of God: and where they did not so, but following the instigation of Satan ordered all things after their own lust, they are rightly said to reign, not of God, but of the devil. Therefore have the godly obeyed kings: but they obeyed them not commanding wicked things, although they toke them for their kings, God had instituted the order of priests: not withstanding Christ calleth the doings of the same priests the works of darkness. And S. Peter sayeth: we must rather obey God than men. So verily the Roman Empire, which was of God, came also out of the Sea (as Daniel sayeth also) out of the troublesome world, and even out of Hell, being made great through slaughter, murder, sedition and treason.