B11837:1330
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 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 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.
1And this wholesome doctrine is comprised in three points. For first he showeth the certainty thereof: secondly he declareth what it is: last he setteth forth and lighteth the same by circumstances. At the first verily he seemeth to allude to the manner, accustomably received of all nations, that such things as they would have thought to be certain, and undoubted, they would also commit to writing to leave them unto posterity. But the certainty & verity or Authority of the thing is esteemed of the authors, which first have dispatched any matters amongst themselves, and after have caused the same to be put in writing. At this present therefore is God showed to be author. For S. John sayeth: and I heard a voice from heaven. And by and by addeth: yea the spirit sayeth. Therefore there is no doubt, but that the son of God him self hath spoken and revealed these things.2 For him he saw at the beginning of this revelation: after he seeth diverse kinds of Angels, but he seeth not Christ speaking to him. But he heareth now his voice from Heaven, he heareth the spirit speaking, by whom the lord said, whilst he was yet conversant in earth with his disciples, that he would treat and speak all things in the church. Let us believe therefore that the words which are here recited, by christs doing, to be a celestial oracle certain and true, whereof we ought not to doubt. And S. John the apostle & Evangelist is commanded to write the sayings of Christ from the heavenly seat. Which thing he doeth: & so at Christs commandment sendeth them unto all posterity, unto us also & to our offspring even to the worlds end. But if tables written by the chancellors or secretaries of kings and Princes, being notable men, deserve credit: we may much more justly & rightly believe this writing, which the son of God inditeth from heaven: & that beloved disciple of Christ, the apostle and Evangelist S. John writeth. Thou hadst ones a confidence in the Popes bulls (they may well be called bulls, sins they be more vain than bulls or blabbers in the water) sent from the See of Rome, wherein thou as one assured didst put full trust to have remission of sins and blessed life. And shalt thou not now be accounted mad and out of thy wit, in case thou wilt not believe this heavenly writing.
1And this holesome doctrine is comprised in three poincts. For first he sheweth the certentie therof: secōdly he declareth what it is: laste he setteth forth and lighteth the same by circūstaunces. At the first verely he semeth to allude to the maner, accustomably receyued of al nations, that such thinges as they wuld haue thought to be certen, and vndoubted, they would also cōmitte to writing to leaue them vnto posteritie. But the certentie & veritie or Authoritie of the thing is estemed of thauthours, which first haue dispatched any matters emonges thēselues, and after haue caused the same to be put in writyng. At this present therfore is God shewed to be authour. For S. Iohn saieth: and I hearde a voice from heauen. And by and by addeth: ye the spirite sayeth. Therefore there is no doubte, but that the sonne of God him self hath spoken and reuealed these things.
That other was indited by the spirit of Antichrist, ⟨p. 459⟩by the Pope the man of sin, and child of perdition: & written of some deceiver infected with Simony and sacrilege, which in life and manners was filthiness it self. But in John is nothing but cleanness, purity, & integrity: and the very son of God which prescribeth these things to S. John, is the very verity and life,1 the light of the world & lord of heaven and Earth, of life & death. See than how safely thou mayest lain to this heavenly writing, which here is offered & given thee freely. Thou needest not to disburse for the same one farthing. The Pope instituted in the church buying & selling & devilish bargaining about pardons & other things, which were plain deceits & illusions, plain mockeries, and open blasphemies, & therefore accursed for ever: as S. Peter also pronounceth in the .8. of the Acts. God him self dissuadeth all men from such trumperies, and bargains wicked & vain, in the .55. chapt. of Isaiah, where he promiseth again, that he will give to the godly all plenty of all good things.
That other was indited by the spirite of Antichrist, ⟨p. 459⟩by the Pope the man of sinne, and childe of perdition: & written of some disceauer infected with Simony and sacrilege, which in life and maners was filthines it self. But in Iohn is nothing but cleanes, puretie, & integritie: and the very sonne of God which prescribeth these things to S. Iohn, is the very veritie and life,1 the light of the world & lord of heauen and Earth, of life & death. See than how safely thou mayest laine to this heauenly writyng, which here is offered & geuen thee frely. Thou nedest not to disburce for the same one farthing. The Pope instituted in the church biyng & selling & deuelish bargayning about perdōs & other things, which were plaine disceiptes & illusions, playne mocheries, and open blasphemies, & therfore accursed for euer: as S. Peter also pronoūceth in the .8. of the Actes. God him selfe diswadeth al men from such tromperies, and bargaines wicked & vayne, in the .55. chapt. of Esaye, where he promiseth agayne, that he wil geue to the godly al plentie of al good thinges.
And now let us hear, what the writ is,1 & what S. John is commanded from heaven to put in writing. It is a short sentence, as also in many places, the wisdom of God comprehendeth in few words the true some of blessedness: so providing for our infirmity, that we need not to complain that the doctrine were over long, which we with our slender understanding are not able to attain to. The Lord therefore pronounceth, them to be blessed, which die in the Lord, then we must see what he understandeth by blessedness, and who they be that die in the lord, blessedness is that high felicity, which chanceth to the faithful in an other world, in the which we shall see God him self as he is, and have the fruition of him unto a joyful, and never lothsomefulnes. We shall live in the same with all the Saints for ever, and shall have joins that can not be expressed with tongues of men. Of the which shall follow more afterward. They shall rest from their labours. And more plentifully in the .21. chapt. And they dye in the Lord, which by faith grafted in Christ, lain to him alone, depend wholly upon him, only regard him and desire nothing else but him alone. For they are said to live in Christ, in whom Christ liveth by faith, they that live in Christ do frame their whole life after the will of Christ. And ⟨p. 460⟩they die in the lord chiefly and before all, which for the confession of the lords faith, suffer death, and offer themselves to torments. And not they alone, but those also, which although they die of the sword of the persecutors, yet die, when the Lord calleth them in the true christen faith. For these are also blessed, as the Lord in S. John, verily verily I say unto you, if any man keep my word, he shall not see death for ever. Howbeit they die not in the lord, which either deny god, that they might not be slain: or trust to their own merits, & intercessions of Saints, or to other mens works be they monks, friars, or massemonging priests, and so depart out of this life, thinking that they shall be holpen by other mens works. To be brief, the verity of the lord pronounceth them all blessed and fortunate which depart out of this world in true faith.
And now let vs heare, what the writte is,1 & what S. Iohn is cōmaunded from heauen to put in writing. It is a shorte sentēce, as also in many places, the wisedome of God cōprehēdeth in fewe wordes the true some of blessednes: so prouiding for our infirmitie, that we nede not to cōplaine that the doctrine were ouer longe, which we with our slender vnderstandyng are not able to attayne to. The Lord therefore pronounceth, them to be blessed, whiche die in the Lord, then we must see what he vnderstandeth by blessednes, and who thei be that die in the lord, blessednes is that high felicitie, which chaunceth to the faithfull in an other world, in the which we shall see God him selfe as he is, and haue the fruition of him vnto a ioyefull, and neuer lothsomefulnes. We shall liue in the same with all the Sainctes for euer, and shall haue ioynes that can not be expressed with tunges of men. Of the whiche shall followe more afterwarde. They shal reste from their labours. And more plentifully in the .21. chapt. And they dye in the Lorde, whiche by faith greffed in Christe, layne to him alone, depende wholy vpon him, only regarde him and desire nothynge els but hym alone. For they are sayed to liue in Christe, in whome Christ liueth by faith, they that liue in Christ do frame their whole life after the will of Christ. And
Finally the Lord him self adjoineth a notable declaration of this his brief sentence. For he set forth the circumstance of the time,1 and the manner of the blessedness. For it is wont to be demanded, what time salvation and felicity happeneth to the dead? whether incontinently, or after a time? that is whether our souls flit by and by and immediately after the death of the body to the blessed seats? or whether they be intercepted for a certain time, so that they might be purged in purgatory, before they enter into heaven? or whether they be holden with a sleep, and look for the resurrection of the bodies, to the intent they might than awake, and together with their bodies enter into heaven: unto all the which things the celestial oracle answering, forth with, sayeth he, that is by & by cometh unto souls that same felicity. In the latin copies this place is pointed thus, blessed are th• dead which dye in the lord. Forthwith now sayeth the spirit, that they may rest from their labours. In like manner readeth the Spanish or Complutensian copy. But Aretas and the Greek copies, and also the exemplar of Paris is thus pointed, that [Greek or Hebrew] should be the end of the sentence, as Erasmus noteth. After followeth, [Greek or Hebrew], which is ye, verily, certainly sayeth the spirit. The sense is therefore, that the faithful being dead shall straight ways & immediately achieve salvation. For [Greek or Hebrew] (which word S. John useth) signifieth, from the very instant, from ⟨p. 461⟩that hour immediately, incontinently. This suffereth no space betwixt, but expresseth that, which we are wont to note by the dutch phrase, being admonished therefore by a divine oracle, and confirmed by a writ brought from heaven, let us all be assured that the souls of all faithful do flit from the bodily death into life everlasting. These things are confirmed and made plain also by other places of Scriptures innumerable: I will choose out only a certain few, and those also the testimonies of our saviour, which is the light of the world, and the word of life. In the .3. chapter. of S. John he sayeth expressly, that the faithful are so delivered from death by his cross, as in times paste by the sight of the brazen Serpent the Israelites were delivered from the deadly sting of venomous poison.
Finally the Lord him self adioyneth a notable declaration of this his briefe sentence. For he sette forth the circumstaūce of the time,
And plain it is, that they were delivered incontinently and most fully. In the .5. of John the same sayeth, he hath passed from death to life. Let this place be weighed diligently, and it shall appear the same alone to satisfy in this matter. In the .6. of John he sayeth openly, and I will raise him in the last day. But he raiseth not the bodies only at the last judgement, but in every mans last day, that is in the death of every one, he preserveth the souls, that they should not perish, or be tormented, &c. We have in the gospel examples most clear: to wit of Lazarus the beggar, which was by and by after his death carried up of the angels into the bosom of Abraham: and of the thief, which heard of the lord, this day shalt thou be with me in Paradise: and of Stephen saying, Lord Jesus receive my spirit: but especially of our Saviour, saying on the cross, father into thy hands I commend my spirit, &c.
And playne it is, that they were deliuered incontinently and most fully. In the .5. of Iohn the same sayeth, he hath passed from death to life. Let this place be waied dilligently, and it shal appere the same alone to satisfie in this matter. In the .6. of Iohn he sayeth openly, and I will reyse him in the laste daye. But he reyseth not the bodies only at the laste iudgemente, but in euery mans laste daye, that is in the death of euery one, he preserueth the soules, that they should not perish, or be tormented, &c. We haue in the gospel examples moste clere: to witte of Lazarus the beggar, which was by and by after his death caried vp of thaungelles into the bosome of Abraham: and of the thiefe, whiche hearde of the lord, this daye shalt thou be with me in Paradise: and of Stephen saiyng, Lord Iesus receyue my spirite: but especially of our Sauiour, saiyng on the crosse, father into thy handes I commende my spirite, &c.
By these are quite overthrown, what things so ever the monkish and Antichristian doctrine hath builded of purgatory, of trentals, and of the miserable state of souls in an other world. Whereof they made a most shameful gain. They are also confuted which believe, that souls be mortal, moreover that souls sleep in another world. Where they can not so much as here in this infirmity sleep. Therefore you will say it is madness to think, that souls sleep being quit of the burden of the body.
By these are quite ouerthrowen, what thinges so euer the monkisshe and Antichristiane doctrine hath buylded of purgatory, of trētalles, and of the miserable state of soules in an other world. Whereof they made a moste shamefull gayne. They are also confuted which beleue, that soules be mortall, moreouer that soules slepe in another world. Where they cā not so muche as here in this infirmitie slepe. Therefore you wil saie it is madnes to thinke, that soules slepe beyng quitte of the burthen of the body.
But concerning the manner of the blessedness of Saints, ⟨p. 462⟩they rest from their labours.1 Salvation therefore, is a most joyful tranquillity. Away go at ones diseases, sicknesses, griefs, affections, sorrow, famine, thirst, cold, briefly all things that vex or trouble men. Rest and tranquillity, joy and bless come in place. And sins the dead rest from their labours, who can believe that they be vexed with torments? but leest any man should never so little doubt hereof, he annexeth a confirmation, [Greek or Hebrew], ye, or certainly, verily sayeth the spirit, the dead shall be quiet from all their griefs. Let no man therefore doubt.
But cōcernyng the maner of the blessednes of Sainctes, ⟨p. 462⟩they reste from their labours.1 Saluation therfore, is a moste ioyeful tranquillitie. Awaye go at ones diseases, sickenesses, griefes, affections, sorrowe, famine, thirste, colde, briefly all thinges that vexe or trouble men. Rest and tranquillitie, ioye and blesse come in place. And sins the dead reste from theyr labours, who can beleue that they be vexed with tormentes? but leeste any man should neuer so little doubte herof, he annereth a confirmation, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, yee, or certenly, verely sayeth the spirite, the dead shal be quiet from al their griefes. Let no mā therfore doubte.
1And he addeth an other thing, that the works of saints follow them: that is to say, after that the saints be departed hence, than are they rewarded in another world, if they have done any thing well, if they have suffered hard things. For there is a reward prepared for virtues. The which the saints do hope for and receive without boasting of their own desert, and not in contempt of the merit of Christ. For they acknowledge, that God in his saints crowneth his own gifts. And this is spoken of the reward of works for the consolation of them, which suffer many things in this world. So said the lord in the Gospel: your reward is plentiful in heaven. And the Apostle affirmeth every where, that rewards are prepared for them, that are crucified here with Christ. And here let us mark diligently, that these things are spoken also of the spirit of Christ under the religion of an oath. For the world despiseth religious persons, & such as suffer for religion, and objecteth, that they lose their labour and cost. Contrariwise the spirit by an oath avoucheth, that reward is prepared for virtue.
1And he addeth an other thing, that the workes of sainctes followe thē: that is to saie, after that the sainctes be departed hence, than are they rewarded in another world, if they haue done any thing wel, if they haue suffered harde thinges. For there is a rewarde prepared for vertues. The which the sainctes do hope for and receyue without boasting of their owne deserte, and not in contēpte of the merite of Christ. For they acknoweledge, that God in his sainctes crowneth his owne giftes. And this is spoken of the rewarde of workes for the consolatiō of them, which suffer many things in this world. So sayed the lord in the Gospell: your rewarde is plentifull in heauen. And the Apostle affirmeth euery where, that rewardes are prepared for them, that are crucified here with Christ. And here let vs marke dilligently, that these thinges are spoken also of the spirite of Christe vnder the religion of an othe. For the worlde dispiseth religiouse persones, & suche as suffer for religiō, and obiecteth, that they lose their labour and coste. Cōtrarywise the spirite by an othe auoucheth, that rewarde is prepared for vertue.
1Let us mark also this, that is said, their works and not other mens, also, follow them, and are not by others sent after them. Let no man therefore deceive him self, let no man think, that after his death there should be sent to him into purgatory by soul priests a fardel of other mens merits. Those are not good works, which are done by priests & friars besides and against Gods word, but provocations of Gods wrath. And be they not in the gospel shut out of the kingdom of God, which run to others, to bye them oil. The Scripture in an other place. Let us do good, whilst ⟨p. 463⟩we have time, the time will come that no man can work. Let us watch therefore, and of faith do good works in deed.
1Lette vs marke also this, that is sayed, theyr workes and not other mens, also, followe them, and are not by others sent after them. Let no man therefore disceaue him selfe, let no man thinke, that after his death there should be sente to him into purgatory by soule priestes a fardell of other mens merites. Those are not good workes, which ar done by priestes & freres besides and against Gods worde, but prouocations of Gods wrath. And be they not in the gospel shut out of the kingdome of God, which runne to others, to bye them oyle. The Scripture in an other place. Lette vs doe good, whilest ⟨p. 463⟩we haue time, the time wil come that no man can worke. Let vs watch therfore, and of faith do good workes in dede.
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.1 To all this is annexed an acclamation, or double sentence, notable and holesome. For in as much as the wisedome of God did foresee, what aduersitie remayned for the godly in this world, which they might surely loke for at Antichristes hande, whiche professed the trewth, therefore for a comforte and consolation he addeth: here is the patiēce of Sainctes, which is asmuch as if he had saied: and here shal patience take place, wherby the Sainctes maye ouercome al euilles. Here had we nede to haue a stoute courage, & a sure and cōstaunt minde. In the .12. of Luke the Lord likewise requireth patience in persecutions. Here therfore is counsel geuen, howe the sainctes should behaue themselues, to wit that they should suffer patiently those euilles, that Antichrist shall worke agaynst them. And there followeth an other sentence, which lighteth this: here are they that kepe the commaundementes of God, and faith of Iesus. Thei shal ouercome thorowe patience in so great euilles and daungers, whiche kepe the cōmaundementes of God, the foundation wherof is the faith of Iesus Christ: which verely put al their trust in christ, heare the worde of the gospell, and kepe the cōmaundemētes ⟨p. 457⟩of God, not of men. The like vnto these are red in the .24. of Matth. and the .10. to the Hebrew. Aretas: in this same time of Antichrist, saieth he, the patience of Sainctes is shewed. Thā is the speache figured, as it were by a question moued. And who be they whome he calleth patient? After, as though he should aunswere: they that kepe the commaundementes of God, and faith of Iesu. For thei when perilles approche wil set more by God, than by death and temporall euilles. This sayeth he. I praye God these things be as faithfully perfourmed of vs, as they are easely vnderstande. The Lorde graunt vs his spirite.
