B11837:1321
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 there followed an other Angel, saying: she is fallen, she is fallen even Babylon that great City: for she made all nations drink of the wine of her whoredom. And the third Angel followed them, ⟨p. 451⟩saying with a loud voice: if any man worship the beast, and his Image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or on his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured in the cup of his wrath. And he shall be punished in fire & brimstone, before the holy Angels and before the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up evermore. And they have no rest day nor night, which worship the beast and his Image, and whosoever received the print of his name. Here is the patience of Saints. Here are they that keep the commandments, and the faith of Jesus.
ANd there followed an other Aungel, saiyng: she is fallen, she is fallen euen Babylon that greate Citie: for she made all nations drinke of the wine of her whoredome. And the thirde Angell followed them, ⟨p. 451⟩sayeng with a loude voyce: yf any man worship the beast, and his Image, and receiue his marke in his forehead, or on his hand, ye same shall drinke of the wyne of the wrath of God, which is powred in ye cup of his wrath. And he shal be punished in fyre & brimstone, before the holy Angels and before the Lambe: and the smoke of their tourmente ascendeth vp euermore. And thei haue no rest day nor night, which worship the beast and his Image, and whosoeuer receyued the prynte of his name. Here is the patience of Saincts. Here ar thei that kepe the cōmaundements, and the faith of Iesu.
For the comfort of the faithful flock of Christ,1 is brought forth an other Angel, a type of all godly preachers, which preacheth with great constancy, that the kingdom of Anti-Christ shall fall, how soever it promiseth to it self everlastingness. And hereof the Saints gather, that persecutions shall with all be finished, with all other abominations through out the world. For where for the continual persecutions of the wicked, all the Saints cannot but be marvellously sad: They must needs verily hereof receive no small joy and comfort, that they here, how they shall not endure always.
For the comfort of the faithful flocke of Christ,1 is brought forth an other Aungell, a type of all godly preachers, which preacheth with great constancie, that the kyngdome of Anti-Christ shall fall, howe soeuer it promiseth to it selfe euerlastingnesse. And hereof the Sainctes gather, that persecutions shall with all be finisshed, with all other abominations through out the worlde. For where for the continuall persecutions of the wicked, all the Saincts cannot but be maruelouselye sadde: They muste nedes verely hereof receyue no small ioye and comforte, that they here, howe they shall not indure alwayes.
and here it is said that Babylon shall fall. And in deed it were foolishness,1 to expound these things of the old Babylon in Asia, which was fallen long sins, scarcely any token thereof being lest:2 we must therefore understand it of an other, which is in her flowers, and even by a figurative speech, we must understand it of Rome.3 For there is a great Cozenage as it were, betwixt both Babylon was the first Monarchy, Rome is the last. Babylon sore afflicted the people of God, So doeth Rome grievously vex the church of God. Babylon burdened Israel with a grievous captivity: So Rome vexeth the church, with more than a ⟨p. 452⟩long captivity. Babylon overcame the people of God, and burning the City of Jerusalem, and destroying the temple, led away Israel captive: so Rome also having razed the city of Jerusalem, and subverting the temple, triumphed of Israel. Babylon planted Idolatry, superstition, and all abomination, advanced, maintained, and set forth the same unto all men: but at the length when she would have thought leest of it, the people of God being suddenly delivered, she was utterly subverted. So is Rome also, the mother & nurse, and reviver of all abominations in the church of the last time, wherein she shall perish at the last, all those that believe truly in Christ being delivered. And especially it is called great. For how great and mighty the church of Rome is, all we see and by experience know at this day. Neither am I the first that understand by Babylon, Rome. For many expositors reading the first Epistle of Saint Peter, in the end of the epistle, do understand by Babylon, Rome, Certes Oecumenius sayeth: And here he calleth Babylon Rome, for the excellency and brightness of the Empire: the which Rome obtained a long time sins. But this the more ancient writers expound more plainly, as Tertullian in his book against the Jews, which sayeth: so Babylon with saint John beareth the figure of the City of Rome, therefore also great, and proud in her kingdom, and a murderer of the saints. The same words in a manner, he repeateth in the third book against Marcion. And no less plainly Saint Hierome calleth Rome Babylon: and that same Babylon whereof S. John speaketh in the Apocalypse. Read the epistle of Paula and Eustochium written to Marcella, by the help of saint Hierome. Read himself in the .11.
question to Algasia. Again in the preface to the book of Didymus of the holy ghost, to Pauliniane. Also in the end of the .2. book against Jovinian. The same in the life of S. Mark: Peter, saith he, in the first epistle, under the name of Babylon, doth figuratively signify Rome. But S. John will expound himself in the .17. chapter. And we understand that the City of Rome shall fall chiefly, with all her ungodliness: And with the same also, the Romish superstition and abomination, through out the world. And the Angel in deed, sayeth she is fallen, which is yet to fall: And that by the ⟨p. 453⟩prophetical manner of speaking,1 wherein that which shall assuredly come to pass is uttered, as though it were now done. To signify the certainty thereof, that reduplication or iterating of the word also appertaineth, she is fallen, she is fallen.2 This is also repeated in the .18. chap. where it shall be showed how it is taken out of the Prophets, &c. Notwithstanding both a desire and Joy also, might seem here to be signified. For such things as we have long, and with a desire looked for, we receive them now cumming and say, thou art come, thou art come at the last long looked for, and now makest me glad. For the saints with a great desire, look and long for the destruction, of that most wicked, most vile, and most troublesome kingdom of Antichrist.
questiō to Algasia. Againe in the preface to the boke of Didymus of the holy ghoste, to Pauliniane. Also in the end of ye .2. boke against Iouinian. The same in the life of S. Marke: Peter, saith he, in ye first epistle, vnder ye name of Babilon, doth figuratiuely signify Rome. But S. Ihon wil expounde himselfe in the .17. chapter. And we vnderstande that the Citie of Rome shall fall chiefly, with all her vngodlynes: And with the same also, the Romish superstition and abomination, through oute the worlde. And the Aungell in dede, sayeth she is fallen, which is yet to fall: And that by the
The cause is showed also of the destruction of the commonwealth and church of Rome:1 for that she hath caused all nations to drink, and hath made them drunken with wine of wrath of her fornication. And verily the effect of wine in men is greatest. Therefore doctrine is compared to it in the Prophets. Therefore Rome with her unclean and corrupt opinions, hath made all people drunken. And it is called the wine of the wrath. For look with whom God is angry, he suffereth them to err in the way of the Romish church. For in as much as God hath revealed the sincere doctrine of life, by his only son, and most chosen Apostles: and men receive not the same: God is justly offended with them, and giveth them over into a reprobate mind, that they may follow shameful errors: As Saint Paul also prophesied should come to pass in the .2. to the Thess. 2. chapt. This wine is called moreover, the wine of her fornication, whereby she her self having first played the harlot, is become now also the Mistress of fornication, and as it were bawd to all others. This manner of speaking is right well known, even out of the Prophets. Rome dead not persist in the doctrine of the Gospel, and of the Apostles, but invented a new, and that contrary to the Gospel, of the vicar of Christ in earth,2 of the power of keys, of indulgences and pardons, of justification of works and merits, of satisfactions & confessions, of worshipping of Images, & praying to saints, of celebrating masses, and worshipping of the sacrament of the altar, as they term it, ⟨p. 454⟩of monkery and vows, and such other innumerable. This doctrine as Apostolical, ancient, and Christian, she drinketh of to all people: and so plucketh them from Christ, withdraweth them from the Gospel, seduceth them from the old christianity, and destroyeth innumerable souls. Therefore God poureth out to her also of the cup of his wrath, and bringeth her also to destruction for ever.
The cause is shewed also of the destructiō of the commonwelth and church of Rome:1 for that she hath caused all nations to drinke, and hath made them dronken wyth wyne of wrath of her fornication. And verelye the effecte of wyne in men is greateste. Therefore doctrine is compared to it in the Prophetes. Therefore Rome with her vncleane and corrupt opinions, hath made all people dronken. And it is called the wyne of the wrath. For loke with whome God is angry, he suffereth them to erre in the way of the Romish church. For in asmoch as God hath reuealed the sincere doctrine of lyfe, by his onely sonne, and moste chosen Apostles: and men receaue not the same: God is iustely offended with them, and geueth them ouer into a reprobate mynde, that thei may followe shamefull errours: As Saincte Paule also prophisied shuld come to passe in the .2. to the Thess. 2. chapt. This wyne is called moreouer, the wyne of her fornication, whereby she her selfe hauing firste played the harlot, is become nowe also the Maistres of fornicatiō, and as it wer bawde to al others. This maner of speakyng is right well knowen, euen oute of the Prophetes. Rome ded not persiste in the doctryne of the Gospell, and of the Apostles, but inuented a newe, and that contarry to the Gospel, of the vycar of Christ in earth,
1And upon this occasion he dissuadeth all men from the fellowship of the Romish church or papistry, that we have nothing to do with the Romish religion, unless we will be part takers also of the everlasting punishment. He reasoneth therefore of the loss and punishments, and describeth grievous and horrible pains, if haply men might so be feared from that ungodliness. The Angel therefore crieth, and that with a loud voice. Wherefore let all ecclesiastical preachers learn, that they must earnestly, and terribly cry out in this case, that all flee the communion of the Romish or popish church. I know doubtless what the common people believe and say, that all shall be saved at the last day, what religion so ever they be of: and namely if any remain an open papist. But we can neither condemn nor absolve any man, set them in Heaven, or cast them to Hell. God liveth a righteous judge. He alone knoweth, who shall be saved or damned. We ought therefore of right, to credit his judgements. But where as he pronounceth openly, that the favourers of the Romish church shall be damned, who am I to say the contrary: or what men will pronounce otherwise? Let us hear therefore the sentence of the just judge, and let us believe the word of the son of God, and let us beware of the popish religion.
1And vpon this occasion he disswadeth all men from the felowship of the Romish church or papistrie, that we haue nothing to do with the Romish religion, vnlesse we will be part takers also of the euerlasting pūnishmēt. He reasoneth therfore of the losse and punnishments, and descrybeth greuouse and horrible paines, yf happlie men might so be feared from that vngodlines. The Angell therfore crieth, and that with a loude voice. Wherefore let al ecclesiasticall preachers learne, that they must earnestly, and tirribblie crye oute in this case, that all flee the communion of the Romish or popish church. I know doubtles what the common people beleue and saie, that all shall be saued at the laste daye, what religion so euer they be of: and namelie yf any remaine an open papist. But we can nother condemne nor absolue any man, sette them in Heauen, or cast them to Hell. God liueth a rightouse iudge. He alone knoweth, who shal be saued or damned. We ought therfore of right, to credit his iudgements. But where as he pronoūceth openly, that the fauourers of the Romish church shall be damned, who am I to say the cōtrary: or what men will pronoūce otherwyse? Let vs heare therfore the sentence of the iuste iudge, and let vs beleue the worde of the sonne of God, and let vs beware of the popysh religion.
What it is to worship the beast & his Image, and what it is to receive the mark in the forehead and on the right hand, I have sufficiently declared before in the .13. chapt. Briefly they worship, and receive the mark of the beast, which do participate with the Popish church or religion: finally which obey the wicked decrees of the Empire, and persevere in the obedience of the See without repentance. Aretas expounding this place: to worship the beast, sayeth he, and to receive his seal, is, to esteem Antichrist to be God, and in word and wo•ke, to set forth such things as he coveteth.
What it is to worship the beaste & his Image, and what it is to receiue the marke in the forehead and on the right hand, I haue sufficiently declared before in the .13. chapt. Brieflye they worship, and receyue the marke of the beaste, which do participate with the Popish church or religiō: finally which obey the wycked decrees of the Empire, and perseuer in the obedience of the See without repentaunce. Aretas expounding this place: to worship the beast, saieth he, and to receaue his seale, is, to esteme Antichrist to be God, and in word and wo•ke, to set forth such thinges as he coueteth.
And here in an horrible wise, & with prophetical words,1 is described everlasting damnation, prepared for them, who forsaking Christ the saviour, cleave unto Antichrist the destroyer. Like as they have drunken of the corrupt doctrine infused of the Pope: so again shall they drink, that the just lord shall pour out of the cup of wrath. And the wine that is poured in the cup of Gods wrath, is the strait, exquisite, & most grievous judgement of God, wherein being angry, he inflicteth to the Antichristians horrible & unspeakable punishment. A like manner of speech is red in Jeremiah the .25. chapt. And like as pure wine, not delayed, is of most efficacy, and pierceth: so the judgement of God, wherein he will proceed against the Antichristians, shall be most grievous, such as no tongue be it never so eloquent can express.
And here in an horrible wise, & with propheticall wordes,1 is described euerlasting damnation, prepared for them, who forsaking Christ the sauiour, cleaue vnto Antichrist ye distroier. Like as they haue dronkē of the corrupte doctrine infused of the Pope: so againe shal they drinke, that the iust lord shal powre out of ye cuppe of wrath. And the wine that is powred in the cuppe of Gods wrath, is the strayte, exquisite, & moste greuouse iudgement of God, wherin beyng angrie, he inflicteth to the Antichristians horrible & vnspeakeable punnishement. A like maner of speach is red in Ieremie the .25. chapt. And like as pure wine, not delayed, is of most efficacitie, and pearseth: so the iudgement of God, wherein he will procede against the Antichristians, shal be most greuouse, such as no tongue be it neuer so eloquent can expresse.
And for a further declaration shortly after followeth, what they must drink of: verily fire and brimstone. Peradventure the Lord alluded to these words of David in the .11. Psalm. Upon the ungodly he shall rain snares fire brimstone storm and tempest, this reward shall they have to drink. He seemeth moreover to have alluded to the burning of Sodom, and to the .30. chapt. of Isaiah, in the end whereof is showed, that hell shall be wide enough to receive all the ungodly, and that matter shall never want to nourish the fire never to be quenched. He expresseth moreover a grievous pain, where he sayeth, that they shall be tormented: and that in the sight of the lamb, and holy Angels, that so they may receive condigne punishment for ever of their contempt, whereby they have despised the lamb, and messages of Angels. Likewise in the .13. of Luke the Lord sayeth: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you to be shut out, &c.
And for a further declaratiō shortely after followeth, what they muste drinke of: verely fire and brimstone. Perauenture the Lorde alluded to these wordes of Dauid in the .11. Psalm. Vpō the vngodly he shal rayne snares fyre brimstone storme and tempeste, this rewarde shall they haue to drinke. He semeth moreouer to haue alluded to the burnyng of Sodome, and to the .30. chapt. of Esaye, in the ende whereof is shewed, that hell shall be wide enough to receyue all the vngodly, and that matter shal neuer waunte to nurrishe the fire neuer to be quenched. He expresseth moreouer a greuouse payne, where he sayeth, that they shall be tourmented: and that in the sight of the lambe, and holy Angelles, that so they maye receyue condigne punnishement for euer of their contempte, wherby they haue despised the lambe, and messages of Angels. Likewise in the .13. of Luke the Lord sayeth: there shal be wepyng and gnashing of teth, when ye shal see Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob and all the prophetes in the kingedome of God, and you to be shutte out, &c.
And that same appertaineth also unto evidence,1 & to stir up a terror in the minds of all men, where he addeth by a figurative speech: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up evermore. Therefore shall the burning and punishment of the ungodly be everlasting, and never to be finished world without end. And we seem here at this description, as it were before our eyes to see the flames of eternal damnation ⟨p. 456⟩carried up on high: and caste up with them great heaps of smoke, to roll up, and disperse them far and wide. I remember here that of Virgil.
And that same apperteyneth also vnto euidence,1 & to stire vp a terrour in the mindes of all men, where he addeth by a figuratiue speach: and the smoke of their tourmēt ascendeth vp euermore. Therfore shal the burning and punnisshement of the vngodly be euerlasting, and neuer to be finished world without ende. And we seme here at this description, as it were before our eyes to see the flames of eternall damnation ⟨p. 456⟩caried vp on highe: and caste vp with them greate heapes of smoke, to rolle vp, and disperse them farre and wide. I remē bre here that of Virgill.
The wasteful fire gan crepe and crack a pace Till to the top through help of wind it came Out burst the blaze, brake down and did deface The sky flieth full of sparks of smoke and flame.
The wastefull fire gan crepe and cracke a pace Til to the toppe through helpe of winde it came Out burst the blase, brake downe and did deface The skie flieth full of sparkes of smoke and flame.
1And that no kind of terror might want, most aptly and most abundantly he expresseth the perpetuity of everlasting punishment, saying: neither have they rest day nor night. So sayeth the Lord in the .9. of Mark. Their fire is never quenched, and their worm shall never die. They err therefore, which promise to the damned after many worlds deliverance from their torments.
1And that no kinde of terrour might waunte, moste aptely and most aboundantly he expresseth the perpetuitie of euerlasting punnishment, saiyng: nother haue they reste daie nor night. So sayeth the Lord in the .9. of Marke. Their fire is neuer quēched, and their worme shal neuer die. They erre therfore, which promise to the damned after many worldes deliueraunce from their tourmentes.
And not in vain he repeateth, that which he had said before, how they that worship the beast shall suffer these things. And therefore he repeateth it, lest, as it happened, we should esteem it as a light matter. They shall be damneth, sayeth the verity, which receive the Popish cult and religion, and persevere in the same.1 To all this is annexed an acclamation, or double sentence, notable and wholesome. For in as much as the wisdom of God did foresee, what adversity remained for the godly in this world, which they might surely look for at Antichrists hand, which professed the truth, therefore for a comfort and consolation he addeth: here is the patience of Saints, which is as much as if he had said: and here shall patience take place, whereby the Saints may overcome all evils. Here had we need to have a stout courage, & a sure and constant mind. In the .12. of Luke the Lord likewise requireth patience in persecutions. Here therefore is counsel given, how the saints should behave themselves, to wit that they should suffer patiently those evils, that Antichrist shall work against them. And there followeth an other sentence, which lighteth this: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and faith of Jesus. They shall overcome through patience in so great evils and dangers, which keep the commandments of God, the foundation whereof is the faith of Jesus Christ: which verily put all their trust in christ, hear the word of the gospel, and keep the commandments ⟨p. 457⟩of God, not of men. The like unto these are red in the .24. of Matth. and the .10. to the Hebrew. Aretas: in this same time of Antichrist, sayeth he, the patience of Saints is showed. Than is the speech figured, as it were by a question moved. And who be they whom he calleth patient? After, as though he should answer: they that keep the commandments of God, and faith of Jesus. For they when perils approach will set more by God, than by death and temporal evils. This sayeth he. I pray God these things be as faithfully performed of us, as they are easily understand. The Lord grant us his spirit.
And not in vayne he repeteth, that which he had sayed before, how thei that worship the beast shal suffer these thinges. And therfore he repeteth it, leste, as it happened, we should esteme it as a light matter. They shal be damneth, sayeth the veritie, which receyue the Popish culte and religiō, and perseuere in the same.
And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me: write, blessed are the dead which hereafter die in the Lord. Yea the sprite sayeth, that they rest from their labours. But their works follow them.
ANd I hearde a voice from heauen, saiyng vnto me: wryte, blessed are the dead whiche hereafter die in the Lorde. Yea the sprite sayeth, that they reste frō their labours. But theyr workes follow them.
Albeit he hath oftener than ones spoken of the state of souls in an other world,1 and of the felicity of the faithful which are killed for religions sake: yet was it here chiefly requisite to treat of the same matter. For I said, how many must be killed of the beast. Now leest they for fear of death should choose rather to worship the beast, than to be slain: leest haply having lost this life, there were no other life to be looked for in the world to come, most diligently, and most certainly he treateth of the state of souls, and of the felicity and bless of souls, which as soon as they die, they achieve, assuredly and straightway flitting out of this world into life everlasting. But they that know these things, and have conceived them by a true faith, how they shall undoubtedly slit from the corporal death into the blessed life, it can not be chosen but that they shall more boldly contemn the life present.
Albeit he hath oftener thā ones spokē of the state of soules in an other world,1 and of ye felicitie of the faithfull which are killed for religions sake: yet was it here chiefly requisite to treate of the same matter. For I sayed, howe many must be killed of the beaste. Now leeste they for feare of death should chouse rather to worshippe the beaste, than to be slayne: leest happly hauyng lost this life, there were no other life to be loked for in the world to come, most dilligently, and most certenly he treateth of the state of soules, and of the felicitie and blesse of soules, which as sone as they die, they atchieue, assuredly and streightwaye flitting out of this worlde into life euerlasting. But they that know these thinges, and haue conceaued them by a true faith, how thei shal vndoubtedly slitte frō the corporal death into the blessed life, it can not be chosen but that they shal more boldely contemne the life present.
and here it is sayed that Babilon shall fall. And in dede it were foloyshnes,1 to expounde these thinges of the ould Babilon in Asia, which was fallen long sins, scarcely any token thereof beinge leste:2 we muste therefore vnderstande it of an other, which is in her flowres, and euen by a figuratiue speach, we must vnderstande it of Rome.3 For there is a greate Cozinnage as it were, betwixte both Babilon was the first Monarchie, Rome is the laste. Babilon sore afflicted the people of God, So doeth Rome greuouselye vexe the church of God. Babylon burthened Israell wyth a greueouse captiuitie: So Rome vexeth the church, wyth more than a ⟨p. 452⟩long captiuitie. Babilon ouercame the people of God, and burning the Citie of Hierusalem, and destroieng the temple, led away Israell captiue: so Rome also hauing rased the citie of Hierusalē, and subuerting the temple, triumphed of Israell. Babilon planted Idolatrie, superstition, and all abhomination, auaunced, maintained, and set forth the same vnto al men: but at the length when she woulde haue thought leest of it, the people of God being sodeynely delyuered, she was vtterly subuerted. So is Rome also, the mother & nurse, and reuyuer of all abominations in the church of the laste tyme, wherein she shall perish at the last, all those that beleue truly in Christe being delyuered. And especiallie it is called great. For howe greate and mightie the church of Rome is, all we see and by experience knowe at this daye. Nother am I the firste that vnderstand by Babilon, Rome. For many expositours reading the first Epistle of Saincte Peter, in the end of the epistle, do vnderstand by Babilon, Rome, Certes Oecumenius sayeth: And here he calleth Babilon Rome, for the excellencie and brightnesse of the Empire: the which Rome obteined a long tyme sins. But this the more auncient wryters expound more playnelie, as Turtullian in his boke againste the Iewes, which sayeth: so Babilon with sainct Ihon beareth the fygure of the Citie of Rome, therfore also great, and proude in her kingdom, and a murtherer of the saincts. The same words in a maner, he repeteth in the thirde booke against Marcion. And no lesse playnely Saincte Hierome calleth Rome Babilon: and that same Babilon wherof S. Ihon speaketh in the Apocalipse. Read the epistle of Paula and Eustochium written to Marcella, by the helpe of sainct Hierome. Reade himself in the .11.
