B11837:1577
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.
6. The vesture of our Judge was sprinkled with blood.1 Whereby is signified victory, and slaughter of his enemies: which shall anon be added about the end of the chap. And he toke this note of our judge out of the .63. chap. of Isaiah. He alludeth to conquerors returning from battle, whose garments, & armours, are imbrued with the blood of the slain. And betokeneth the just severity of the Judge, and great slaughter of the enemies.
6. The vesture of our Iudge was sprinckled with bloude.1 Whereby is signified victory, and slaughter of his enemies: which shall anone be added aboute the ende of the chap. And he toke this note of our iudge out of the .63. chap. of Esay. He alludeth to cōquerours returning from battayle, whose garments, & armours, are imbrewed with the blud of the slaine. And betokeneth the iuste seueritie of the Iudge, and greate slaughter of the enemies.
7. The name of the judge is now expressed:1 which is utterly unknown to the ungodly. And the Judge is called the word of God. For the son is the word and speech of God, the express mark of the divine substance: in whom the father himself is expressed: and of whom as of the word the true messenger of the hart, we understand the will and mind of the father. These holy words of the gospel are known: In the beginning was the word,2 and the word was with God, &c. Therefore Christ the word was made flesh, the Lord God and Judge of all.
7. The name of the iudge is nowe expressed:1 which is vtterly vnknowen to the vngodly. And the Iudge is called the worde of God. For the son is the word and speach of God, the expresse marke of the diuine substaūce: in whome the father himselfe is expressed: and of whome as of the worde the true messager of the hart, we vnderstand the wyll and mynd of the father. These holy wordes of the gospell are knowen: In the begynnyng was the worde,2 and the worde was with God, &c. Therefore Christe the worde was made fleshe, the Lorde God and Iudge of all.
8. To the Judge is added an Army, not of Angels only,1 with whom he oft repeated in the gospel that he would come unto judgement: but of all the faithful, or saints, which at no time, no not here are sequestered from their head. For first at the sound of the trump blown up the Archangel the Saints arise, and the living also with the dead are changed, and are taken up to mete Christ in the Air. Here, here in the clouds and bright Air, appear with Christ the happy and blessed victors. By and by the ungodly rise also, and those that lived at that day, are changed with them that rise again, to pain and confusion. But they see the Saints with Christ ⟨p. 580⟩in heaven, and in glory, and feel incontinently unspeakable torments. They come to pass doubtless, and are fulfilled which things are described it the .3. & .5. chapt. of Wisdom. Saint John therefore sayeth, that this Army is in Heaven, not in Earth. He sayeth how they follow Christ. For the same said the Apostle also, in the first to the Thessalonians, the .4. Moreover he addeth that they were clothed, and appeared not naked: and expresseth the kind of garment. They were clothed (sayeth he) in silk, white and clean. For saints in Christ obtain righteousness and glory, are made clean and are glorified.2 And this sense hath Saint John himself a little before opened to us, saying: silk is the justifications of Saints.
8. To ye Iudge is added an Army, not of Angels only,1 with whom he ofte repeted in the gospell that he wold come vnto iudgement: but of al the faithful, or saincts, which at no time, no not here ar sequestred from their head. For first at ye soūde of the trumpe blowē vp the Archangell the Sainctes arryse, and the liuing also with the dead are chaūged, and are taken vp to mete Christ in the Ayre. Here, here in the clowdes and bryghte Ayre, appeare with Christe the happye and blessed victours. By and by the vngodly ryse also, and those that lyued at that day, are chaunged with them that ryse agayne, to payne and confusiō. But they se the Saincts with Christe ⟨p. 580⟩
9. Out of the Judges mouth proceedeth a two edged and sharp sword [Greek or Hebrew],1 which cutteth on either side. It is not sharp on one side, and blunt on an other, it cutteth on both sides indifferently. Whereby is signified a just sentence pronounced of Gods mouth against the wicked. For against them the sentence of God is a sword, piercing even to their hearts. Wherefore it is also called sharp. The judgement of our judge is straight and severe, but yet just and righteous. What that sword is, in the gospel is declared: verily that heavy and immutable sentence, get you hence in to fire everlasting. Math. 25. Whereupon it followeth in the words of the Evangelist: that with the same he may strike the heathen, to wit that he may damn, and put to perpetual torments all unbelievers.
9. Oute of the Iudges mouth procedeth a two edged and sharpe sworde 〈non-Latin alphabet〉,1 which cutteth on eyther syde. It is not sharpe on one syde, and blunte on an other, it cutteth on both sydes indifferently. Whereby is signified a iust sentēce pronounced of Gods mouth againste the wicked. For againste them the sentence of God is a sworde, pearsing euen to their heartes. Wherefore it is also called sharpt. The iudgemente of our iudge is streighte and seuere, but yet iuste and righteouse. What that sworde is, in the gospell is declared: verely that heauy and immutable sentence, get you hence in to fyre euerlasting. Math. 25. Whereupon it foloweth in the words of the Euangelist: that with the same he may stryke the heathen, to witte that he may damne, and put to perpetuall tourmentes all vnbeleuers.
110. And he shall rule them with a rod of Iron. By the same kind of speech in a manner he sayeth the same, that he said before. For they that would not receive or acknowledge with repentance the staff of instruction and discipline pastoral, shall find in judgement and feel the Iron sceptre, wherewith he shall break them all to shivers, like potters vessel. Neither shall any power resist or prevail against him. And this manner of speaking is taken out of the Psalm .110. For Saint John useth gladly the words of Scripture to the end to make his book more commendable, or more pleasant and acceptable.
110. And he shall rule them with a rod of Iron. By the same kynde of speach in a maner he sayeth the same, that he sayde before. For they that woulde not receyue or acknoweledge with repentaūce the staffe of instruction and discipline postorall, shal fynde in iudgement and fele the Iron sceptre, wherwith he shall breake them all to shyuers, lyke potters vessell. Nother shall any power resist or preuayle againste him. And this maner of speaking is taken out of the Psalme .110. For Saincte Ihon vseth gladly the wordes of Scripture to the ende to make his booke more cōmendable, or more pleasaūt and acceptable.
11. He treadeth the wynefatte of the wine of wrath. &c. ⟨p. 581⟩Again he sayeth the same, that he dead before:1 but by an other parable now uttered, & the same taken out of the scriptures, to wit out of the .63. chapter of Isaiah. The effect or some is, he will pour out his wrath upon the ungodly, and punish them most extremely, with his almighty hand, whereunto all things give place, giving their heads a blow. See what is said here of in the .14. chapter of this book.
11. He treadeth the wynefatte of the wyne of wrath. &c. ⟨p. 581⟩Agayne he sayeth the same, that he ded before:1 but by an other parable nowe vttered, & the same taken out of the scriptures, to witte out of the .63. chapter of Esaye. The effecte or some is, he wyll powre out his wrath vpon the vngodly, and punnyshe them moste extremely, with his almightie hande, whereunto all things geue place, geuing their heads a blow. See what is sayed here of in the .14. chapter of this boke.
12. Again is showed the name of this judge,1 & in the name is majesty & power of all others greatest. He hath the name written on his garment, and on his thigh. By these is declared the true humanity of Christ, after the which he is exalted, as the Apostle sayeth in the second to the Philippians. And to him is given a name which is above all names. Here he is called King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, very God, Lord, monarch, and judge of all men. For so do the other Apostles speak also in the .2. & .17. of the Acts. And there might seem in this name of the Judge, as it were a cause to be showed, wherefore he is here appointed Judge over all. Because he is King and Lord of all. To whom be glory for ever. Amen.
12. Againe is shewed the name of this iudge,1 & in the name is maiestie & power of all others greatest. He hath the name written on his garment, and on his thigh. By these is declared the true humanitie of Christe, after the which he is exalted, as the Apostle saieth in the second to the Philippians. And to him is geuen a name which is aboue al names. Here he is called King of Kinges, and Lorde of Lords, very God, Lord, monarke, and iudge of all men. For so do the other Apostles speake also in the .2. & .17. of the Actes. And there might seme in this name of the Iudge, as it were a cawse to be shewed, wherefore he is here appoincted Iudge ouer all. Because he is Kyng and Lord of all. To whome be glory for euer. Amen.
AND I saw an Angel stand in the Sun, and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly by the mids under the heaven: come & gather your selves together unto the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of Kings, and of high captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all free men, and bond men, both of small and great. And I saw the beast and the Kings of the Earth, and their warriors ⟨p. 582⟩gathered together, to wage battle against him that sat on the horse, and against his soldiers. And the beast was taken, and with him that false prophet, that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them, that received the beasts mark, and them that worshipped his Image. These both were cast quick in to a pond of fire burning with brimstone: and the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat on the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth, and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
AND I sawe an Angel stand in the Sunne, and he cryed with a loude voyce, sayeng to al the foules that fly by the mids vnder the heauen: come & gather your selues together vnto the supper of ye great God, that you may eate the flesh of Kyngs, and of high captaynes, and the flesh of mightie men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the fleshe of all free men, and bonde men, both of small and great. And I saw the beast and the Kinges of the Earth, and their warriours ⟨p. 582⟩gathered together, to wage battayle against him that sat on ye horse, and againste his soldiours. And the beast was taken, and with him that false prophete, that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceaued them, that receyued the beastes marke, and them yt worshypped his Image. These bothe were cast quicke in to a pond of fyre burnyng with brimstone: and the remnaūt wer slayne with the sworde of him that sat on the horse, which sword proceded out of his mouth, and all the fowles were fylled with their flesh.
1Immediately after the description of the Judge, and a certain lively picture, a description no less evident followeth of the judgement: that is to say, how Christ having vanquished his enemies, committeth them to perpetual torments. And the Apostle useth a prophetical phrase and eloquence. For by a figurative speech, all fowls are called to the slaughter and feast, that they might be filled with the flesh of the slain. And first an allusion is made of such as slay wares and prepare a feast, whereunto they may call their friends, and make them cheer. Again an allusion is made, to the murder and slaughter of enemies, whereof wild beasts and ravening fowls are filled. Neither is there any thing hereby signified, but Christ shall overthrow all the ungodly, and take punishment of the same. Before was set forth a supper for the godly, wherewith they are refreshed and fulfilled. Now is prepared a feast of the solemn slaughter, whereby the ungodly receive no commodity, neither are they satisfied, but rather are slain and devoured, that is to say perish. For no man will imagine, that the wicked shall be overthrown at ones, and after wearied of wild beasts, and gnawen of fowls, and so all punishment to make an end together. For so should their pain seem to be none at all. But by temporal parables, eternal things are figured. These are taken out of the Prophets, namely out of the .66. chapter of Isaiah, ⟨p. 583⟩and the .39. of Ezech. where are red in a manner the same words what time he covereth & wrappeth the ungodly with calamities, I mean wars, and destructions, and with other torments as it were killeth them: but chiefly, when at the last judgement he committeth them to pains everlasting.
1Immediatly after the description of the Iudge, and a certen lyuely picture, a description no lesse euident foloweth of the iudgement: that is to say, howe Christe hauing vanquisshed his enemies, committeth them to perpetuall tourmēts. And the Apostle vseth a prepheticall phrase and eloquence. For by a fyguratiue speach, al foules are called to the slaughter and feaste, that they mighte be filled with the fleshe of the slaine. And first an allusion is made of such as sley wares and prepare a feaste, whereunto they may call their frendes, and make them chere. Againe an allusion is made, to the murther and slaughter of enemies, whereof wylde beastes and rauening foules are fylled. Nother is there any thyng hereby signified, but Christ shall ouerthrowe all the vngodly, and take punishmente of the same. Before was sette forth a supper for the godly, wherewith they are refresshed and fulfilled. Nowe is prepared a feast of the solemne slaughter, whereby the vngodly receyue no commoditie, nother are they satisfied, but rather are slayne and deuoured, that is to say perish. For no man wyll imagine, that the wicked shall be ouerthrowen at ones, and after weried of wylde beastes, and gnawen of foules, and so all punnishment to make an end to gether. For so shoulde their payne seme to be none at all. But by temporal parables, eternall thinges are fygured. These are taken oute of the Prophetes, namely oute of the .66. chapter of Esaye,
And this slaughter is declared of the Angel,1 standing in the sun, & crying with a loud voice. Whereby is signified, that the day of judgement shall be solemnly proclaimed with trō pets, & shall be a notable day. That no man can be ignorant herein, but that all things hereof shall be heard of all men. And therefore he crieth with a loud and an audible voice. And he calleth together, as it is in Ezekiel, the birds and fowls to devour kings, and men of all states, age, and sex: that is to say, that all these must be called together, to suffer eternal punishment and destruction. Therefore he reciteth diligently kings, chief captains, strong men, and of all sorts, to wit the persecutors of Christ, Antichristians, ungodly, contemners, and impenitent persons.
And this slaughter is declared of the Angel,1 stāding in the sunne, & criyng with a lowde voice. Wherby is signified, that the daie of iudgement shal be solemnely proclamed with trō pettes, & shal be a notable daye. That no man can be ignorāt herein, but that al thinges herof shal be hearde of al mē. And therfore he crieth with a lowde and an audible voice. And he calleth to gether, as it is in Ezechiel, the birdes and foules to deuoure kinges, and men of al states, age, and sexe: that is to saye, that all these muste be called together, to suffer eternall punnishement and destructiō. Therfore he reciteth dilligently kinges, chiefe captaynes, stronge men, and of all sortes, to witte the persecutours of Christ, Antichristians, vngodly, cō temners, and impenitent persones.
Here is showed the cause of the damnation and destruction of the ungodly, whilst their enterprise, endeavour,1 & attempt is showed. They are now assembled to fight a battle against Christ, and his elect, that is against the church, who? the beast, the Kings of the Earth, and their Armies, Captains and Soldiers, fighting both spiritually and corporally. And here needeth no long commentary. Read the stories of the church for the space of these five hundred years. And see what is done at this day of Popes, Bishops, and Princes, and of their counsellors and ministers. Parliaments are called, in them are bloody decrees and laws made against the gospellers. And a grievous persecution attempted against the Gospel and church. The spiritual fathers cluster together, they consult, and cry out, that there must a council be called. Wherefore I pray you? to the intent that new doctrine (as they call it) of the Gospel, may be cut up, rooted out, and plucked up by the roots. And therefore they stand always ready to fight, are many times assembled against God & his anointed, to fight with the lord Christ, and with his chosen. Now a days if at any time peace be concluded, and the most bloody wars of Princes taken ⟨p. 584⟩up, other in the composition of peace, or immediately after, consultations are had, how to oppress the godly. But there is no other kind of sin more heinous, than to impugn the verity of the Gospel. And therefore is this the chiefest cause of the condemnation of the wicked at the same day. It is accounted at this day amongst the chiefest virtues of Princes, if a Prince will give no place to the preaching of the gospel, but the same shut out, will defend and maintain the church of Rome, with those doctrines, rites, and ceremonies falsely called old. Such are called right & good catholics, most christen, and defenders of the faith.
Here is shewed the cause of the damnation and destructiō of the vngodly, whilest their enterprise, indeuour,1 & attempte is shewed. Thei are now assembled to fight a battaile against Christe, and his electe, that is agaynst the churche, who? the beaste, the Kinges of the Earth, and their Armies, Captaynes and Soldiers, fightyng both spiritually and corporally. And here nedeth no longe commentary. Reade the stories of the churche for the space of these fiue hondreth yeres. And see what is done at this daye of Popes, Bisshoppes, and Princes, and of theyr coūsellers and ministers. Parliamentes are called, in them are blouddy decrees and lawes made agaynst the gospellers. And a greuouse persecutiō attempted agaynst the Gospel and churche. The spirituall fathers cluster together, they consulte, and crie out, that there muste a counsull be called. Wherefore I praye you? to the intente that newe doctrine (as they calle it) of the Gospell, maye be cutte vp, rooted out, and plucked vp by the rootes. And therfore they stande alwayes ready to fighte, are many times assembled against God & his annoincted, to fight with the lord Christ, and with his chosen. Nowe a dayes yf at any time peace be concluded, and the moste blouddy warres of Princes taken
1But now is their damnation, and the manner thereof annexed. And the beast is taken. And he speaketh of these notorious offenders [Greek or Hebrew], as it were taken with the manner, and taken in deed beyond their expectation. For in the midst of their enterprise are they intercepted, whilst they be yet in great hope, & think verily to bring many things to pass against Christ and his church, then in the self heat and wickedness of impugninges and persecution they shall be comprehended. Whereupon also this is manifest, that persecution & impugning of the verity shall persevere to the worlds end. But who shall be taken? the beast and the false prophet, which wrought miracles. Touching these things, see what is said about the end of the .13. chapt. The cause of eternal damnation is again here placed. For he hath seduced the world by his enchantments and crafty jugglings, by his decrees and commandments. Whereof I have spoken before oftener than ones, as also in the .17. chapt. &c. The fellowship also of his condemnation is adjoined: so many as have received the mark of the beast, and have worshipped the beast. Whereof we will now repeat nothing. These things are declared in the .13. chapt. And albeit nothing can or ought to be proved by the pictures: yet is it nevertheless certain, that Painters have borrowed hereof those their old paintings of the last judgement.
1But nowe is their damnation, and the maner thereof annexed. And the beast is taken. And he speaketh of these notorious offenders 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, as it were takē with the maner, and taken in dede beyonde their expectation. For in the middes of their enterprise are they intercepted, whilest they be yet in great hope, & thinke verely to bring many thinges to passe agaynst Christ and his church, then in the selfe heate and wickednes of impugninges and persecution they shalbe comprehended. Whereupon also this is manifest, that persecutiō & impugning of the veritie shal perseuer to the worldes ende. But who shal be taken? the beast and the false prophet, which wrought miracles. Touchyng these thinges, see what is sayde about the ende of the .13. chapt. The cause of eternall damnation is agayne here placed. For he hath seduced the worlde by his inchauntementes and crafty iuggelynges, by his decrees and commaundementes. Whereof I haue spoken before oftener than ones, as also in the .17. chapt. &c. The fellowship also of his condemnation is adioyned: so many as haue receyued the marke of the beaste, and haue worshipped the beast. Wherof we wil now repete nothing. These things are declared in the .13. chapt. And albeit nothing can or ought to be proued by the pictures: yet is it neuerthelesse certayne, that Paynters haue borrowed hereof those their olde payntinges of the laste iudgement.
For we see the old pictures of the last judgement, painted an hundred years sins and more, to represent and exhibit to us a great rabble of Priests, Monks, and Friars, and all manner of spiritual fathers: but chiefly the ghosts of ⟨p. 585⟩kings and Popes, which are hurried to hell, and burn in the bottom thereof with fire everlasting. Whereupon it is said, that there go more priests than ploughmen to the devil, &c.
For we see the olde pictures of the laste iudgement, painted an hondreth yeres sins and more, to represent and exhibite to vs a great rabble of Priestes, Monkes, and Freres, and al maner of spirituall fathers: but chiefely the ghostes of ⟨p. 585⟩kinges and Popes, whiche are hurried to helle, and burne in the botome thereof with fire euerlastyng. Whereupon it is sayde, that there go mo priestes thā plowmē to the deuel, &c.
Furthermore the damnation it self, and manner of torment,1 or the torment it self shall be fire. For S. John sayeth: these two are cast quick into a pond, burning with brimstone [Greek or Hebrew] into a lake or standing water as be in fen countries, for such is the description of hell, and of the extreme punishment, as is also described with Isaiah in the .30. cha. Tophet was long sins prepared, the same is also prepared for the king, which he hath made both wide and deep, the inward parlour thereof is fire, great store of wood, which the blast of the lord, or stream of sulphur setteth on fire. Not much unlike things are red in the .66. chapt. & in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Mark the .9. Matth. .25. and in other places in manner infinite. And the plague of Sodom is known to all men, Genes. 19. The laughings therefore of the ungodly scorners despised, the godly had rather believe these things, than to prove them. For here is hell set open as it were for us to look into it. Let us fear.
Furthermore the damnation it self, and maner of tormēt,1 or the torment it selfe shal be fire. For S. Iohn sayeth: these two are cast quicke into a ponde, burnyng with brymstone 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 into a lake or stāding water as be in fenne coūtries, for such is the description of helle, and of thextreme punnishmēt, as is also described with Esaye in the .30. cha. Tophet was longe sins prepared, the same is also prepared for the kynge, whiche he hath made bothe wide and depe, the inwarde parlour therof is fire, great store of wood, which the blaste of the lord, or streame of sulphur setteth on fire. Not muche vnlike things are red in the .66. chapt. & in the gospel of Iesu Christ. Marke the .9. Matth. .25. and in other places in maner infinite. And the plague of Sodome is knowē to all men, Genes. 19. The laughynges therefore of the vngodly sknorners dispised, the godly had rather beleue these thinges, than to proue them. For here is helle set open as it were for vs to loke into it. Let vs feare.
And two here are singularly named.1 For sins they have ben authors of all evils, of right they must be chief in pains or torments. For the wise man also hath said, terribly, and suddenly will he appear unto you, for it shall be a most hard judgement to them that bear rule:2 and the mighty shall suffer mighty torments. For the Scripture also showeth in an other place, that there be degrees of punishment, after the quality of the crime. And let us not think here that the head is punished with out the members. For the whole body of Antichrist shall be condemned to torments. Al ungodly shall be punished, as hereafter shall be more plainly, and in the end of the .20. chapt. declared.
And two here are singularly named.1 For sins they haue ben authours of all euilles, of right they muste be chiefe in paines or tormentes. For the wise man also hath sayde, terriblely, and sodēly wil he appere vnto you, for it shal be a most harde iudgement to thē that beare rule:2 and the mightie shal suffer mightie tormentes. For the Scripture also sheweth in an other place, that there be degrees of punnishement, after the qualitie of the crime. And let vs not thinke here that the head is punnished with out the membres. For the whole body of Antichrist shalbe condemned to tormentes. Al vngodly shal be punnished, as hereafter shal be more plainely, and in the ende of the .20. chapt. declared.
