B11837:1810
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.
I Testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book: if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall minish of the words of the book of this Prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the ⟨p. 695⟩things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things, sayeth, be it. I come quickly: Amen. Even so come lord Jesus. The grace of our lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
I Testifie vnto euery man that heareth the words of the prophecie of this boke: if any manne shall adde vnto these thinges, God shal adde vnto him ye plages that are written in this boke. And if any man shal minish of the wordes of the booke of this Prophecie, God shal take away his parte out of the boke of life, and out of the holy citie, and from the ⟨p. 695⟩thinges which are written in this boke. He which testifieth these thinges, sayeth, be it. I come quickely: Amen. Euē so come lord Iesu. The grace of our lorde Iesu Christe be with you al. Amen.
13. In the .13.1 part of this conclusion is decreed a pain for the contemners of this book, but especially for counterfeiter or forgers, which (as D. Bibliander hath said full well & godly) dare attempt to corrupt or falsify this godly instrument, and holy charter of the empire and Bishopric of Christ, by adding any thing or taking away, or altering the true meaning and sense thereof. This place is taken out of the common usage of men. For Princes are wont in the end of their writings to establish the same against depravers by menacinges and threatenings. Antichrist, the Ape of our lord Christ, about the end of his Bulls addeth: if any man shall rashly presume to go against this our commandment, or malapertly to infringe the same, let him know that he shall incur the indignation of Almighty God and the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and our high displeasure. And likewise in keeping of treasures and public things, where daū ger is feared, they set on writings and sealing with wax. For the which cause verily where the Lord was not ignorant that there would be some which would seek to oppress and abolish this book, he sendeth it well Armed to all posterities. We read in old Authors, that certain heretics in the beginning of the church toke very much upon them in corrupting of the scriptures: yea and that some of them to have rejected whole books of the holy Scripture. And Tertullian imputeth the same unto Marcion, which also depraved holy books. Howbeit through the goodness of God it came to pass, that we have nevertheless received the holy books whole and uncorrupted. Which thing S. Hierome showeth plainly in his commentaries upon Isaiah the .3. book. And Erasmus of Rotterdam in the Apology of the new Testament, and also in his Apology against James Latomus. &c.
13. In the .13.1 parte of this conclusion is decreed a paine for the contemners of this boke, but especially for counterfetter or forgers, which (as D. Bibliander hath sayde full well & godly) dare attempte to corrupte or falsefie this godly instrumēt, and holy charter of thempire and Bisshopricke of Christ, by addyng any thing or takyng awaye, or alteryng the trewe meanyng and sense thereof. This place is taken out of the common vsage of men. For Princes are wonte in thende of their writynges to establishe the same agaynst deprauers by menacinges and threatenings. Antichrist, the Ape of our lord Christ, about the ende of his Bulles addeth: yf any man shall rasshely presume to go agaynst this our cōmaundement, or malapertly to infringe the same, let him knowe that he shal incurre the indignatiō of Almightie God and the blessed Apostles Peter and Paule, and our high displeasure. And likewise in keping of treasures and publicke things, where daū ger is feared, they set on writinges and sealyng with waxe. For the whiche cause verely where the Lorde was not ignoraunt that there would be some which wold seke to oppresse and abolish this boke, he sendeth it wel Armed to all posterities. We reade in olde Authours, that certen heretikes in the beginnyng of the church toke very muche vpon them in corruptyng of the scriptures: yea and that some of them to haue reiected whole bokes of the holy Scripture. And Tertullian imputeth the same vnto Marcion, whiche also depraued holy bokes. Howebeit through the goodnes of God it came to passe, that we haue neuerthelesse receyued the holy bookes whole and vncorrupted. Whiche thing S. Hierome sheweth playnely in his commentaries vpon Esaye the .3. booke. And Erasmus of Roterodam in the Apologie of the newe Testamēt, and also in his Apologie agaynst Iames Latomus. &c.
Howbeit the Lord at this present doeth no new thing,1 whilst he commandeth that nothing should be added, or ⟨p. 696⟩taken away. For ones or twice he commanded by Moses: Thou shalt add nothing to my word, neither take from it any thing. And Solomon in the .30. of the Proverbs, commandeth the same. But many marvel, and find fault, that he hath threatened so many plagues to the corrupters. Why than do not the same men blame and reprove in S. Paul, that he hath in one word comprised as many plagues and displeasures, as S. John hath here recited, where he said unto the Galath. Although I, or an Angel from heaven shall preach unto you a gospel, other than this that we have preached unto you, let him be an outcast, or accursed. And the same words again he doubleth & repeateth. Wherefore if they grant that Paul hath herein so little offended, that he hath deserved praise also: let them leave blaming of those things, which are here most purposely placed of our lord Jesus Christ him self by S. John in their place & time dew. Verily Anathema (which word S. Paul used) is he, that is cut of from the fellowship of all good men, devoted to extreme punishment, and even subject to all the evils both of this present life and the life to come. Which thing may be gathered of Deuteronomy and other holy books.
Howebeit the Lorde at this present doeth no newe thing,1 whilest he commaundeth that nothing shoulde be added, or ⟨p. 696⟩taken awaye. For ones or twise he commaunded by Moses: Thou shalt adde nothing to my worde, nother take frō it any thing. And Salomon in the .30. of the Prouerbes, cōmaundeth the same. But many maruell, and finde faulte, that he hath threatened so many plages to the corrupters. Whie than do not the same mē blame and reproue in S. Paule, that he hath in one worde comprised as many plagues and displeasures, as S. Ihon hath here recited, where he sayde vnto the Galath. Although I, or an Angel from heauen shal preach vnto you a gospel, other than this that we haue preached vnto you, let him be an outcaste, or accursed. And the same wordes againe he doubleth & repeteth. Wherefore if they graunt that Paule hath herein so little offended, that he hath deserued prayse also: let them leaue blamyng of those thinges, whiche are here moste pourposely placed of our lord Iesu Christ him selfe by S. Ihon in their place & time dewe. Verely Anathema (whiche worde S. Paule vsed) is he, that is cutte of from the felowship of al good men, deuoued to extreme punnishement, and euen subiecte to all the euilles bothe of this present life and the life to come. Whiche thinge maye be gathered of Deuteronomie and other holy bokes.
1And he addeth and taketh away, not which useth other diverse, and plainer words in expounding a sentence of the revelation: but he that putteth in any thing contrary to the true sense, and varying from those things which are here of the lord expressed: or he that taketh away any thing, obscureth or perverteth, which here the lord himself hath expressly signified. Whereupon Thomas of Aquine: he addeth to sayeth he, which putteth to a lie: he minissheth, which taketh away any thing of that which is written therein, or also in denying gain sayeth the same. Thus much he. Therefore this addition and subtraction, consisteth not in words only but rather in sense. For neither the prophets in expounding the law at large, are thought to have added any thing to God his word: neither the Apostles preaching the liberty of the gospel, are said to have taken any thing away from the law.
1And he addeth and taketh awaye, not whiche vseth other diuerse, and playner wordes in expoundyng a sentence of the reuelation: but he that putteth in any thinge contrary to the true sense, and variyng from those thinges which are here of the lord expressed: or he that taketh awaye any thing, obscureth or peruerteth, which here the lord himself hath expresely signified. Wherupon Thomas of Aquine: he addeth to sayeth he, which putteth to a lie: he minissheth, which taketh awaye any thing of that which is written therein, or also in deniyng gayne sayeth the same. Thus much he. Therefore this addition and substraction, consisteth not in wordes only but rather in sense. For nother the prophetes in expoundynge the lawe at large, are thought to haue added any thing to God his worde: nother the Apostles preachyng the libertie of the gospel, are saide to haue taken any thing away frō the lawe.
And to testify,1 is under the religion of a testimony to affirm any certain thing, or with a protestation to urge & beat in any thing earnestly, and even as it were to bind the hearer, ⟨p. 697⟩that he should certainly know that these things that are spoken do hang over him, & that God will plague, unless he do obey.
And to testifie,1 is vnder the religion of a testimony to affirme any certen thing, or with a protestation to vrge & beate in any thing ernestly, and euē as it were to binde the hearer, ⟨p. 697⟩that he shuld certenly know that these thinges that are spokē do hāge ouer him, & that God wil plage, vnlesse he do obey.
Concerning the pains or plagues, which he threateneth at this present, is spoken in the .15. 16. 17. and .18. chap. &c. Likewise is declared before that might be here spoken of the book of life, and of the holy city. Moreover he comprehendeth here also all good things in like manner, which are promised in this book to the godly and obedient servants of God, of all the which things, the contemner, falsifier and corrupter of this book shall be deprived. With how great evils and daū gers than do they entangle themselves, which would have this book utterly suppressed, and let, that it should not be expounded openly, and come in to the hands of all men? again it is most certain, that they shall obtain of God all manner of blessing, so many as have a good opinion, and think devoutly of this book, and will set forth and commend unto all men the things that are written in the same to the glory of God, and salvation of the faithful.
Concernyng the paynes or plages, which he threateneth at this present, is spokē in the .15. 16. 17. and .18. chap. &c. Likewise is declared before that might be here spoken of the boke of life, and of the holy citie. Moreouer he cōprehendeth here also all good thinges in like maner, whiche are promised in this boke to the godly and obedient seruauntes of God, of al the whiche thinges, the contemner, falsifier and corrupter of this boke shal be depriued. With how great euilles and daū gers than do they intangle themselues, whiche would haue this boke vtterly suppressed, and let, that it shoulde not be expounded openly, and come in to the handes of al mē? agayne it is most certayne, that they shall obteyne of God all maner of blessing, so many as haue a good opinion, and thinke deuoutely of this boke, and wil set forth and commende vnto al men the thinges that are written in the same to the glory of God, and saluation of the faithfull.
14. In the fourteenth place is sealed,1 and even signed as it were with a subscription, the authority of this book. For it followeth, he sayeth that beareth witness of these things: or he that testifieth these things. For in manner all the expositors suppose those to be Christs words, as though he him self, for a confirmation had put to the same, and said: I Jesus have propounded all these things, and especially such as concern the threatenings against the corrupter, as a true witness, and the same to be undoubted. For Aquinas: here sayeth he, is brought in Christ, affirming the foresaid menacing, and approving all things that are written in this book. But I for my part, reserving the judgements of others safe, suppose this to be the subscription of S. John the writer of this book. For the Notaries, Secretaries or chancellors of Princes are wont at the end of the kings or Emperors letters or writings, to subscribe their name. And verily S. John in the History of the Gospel hath observed the same manner. For in the .19. chapt. he sayeth: and he that saw, bare witness, and his testimony is true. And at the end of the History he subscribeth and signeth underneath with these words: this is that disciple, which beareth witness of ⟨p. 698⟩these things, and wrote them, and we know that his testimony is true. For all the church knew and confessed this. In like manner he seemeth at this present to have subscribed these things also in his own name & to have said. He that testifieth these things, sayeth.
14. In the fouretenth place is sealed,1 and euen signed as it were with a subscription, the authoritie of this boke. For it followeth, he sayeth that beareth witnes of these thinges: or he that testifieth these thinges. For in maner all the expositours suppose those to be Christes words, as though he him selfe, for a confirmation had putte to the same, and sayde: I Iesus haue propounded al these thinges, and especially such as concerne the threatenynges agaynste the corrupter, as a true witnes, and the same to be vndoubted. For Aquinas: here sayeth he, is brought in Christe, affirmyng the foresayde menacyng, and approuing al thinges that are written in this boke. But I for my parte, reseruyng the iudgementes of others safe, suppose this to be the subscription of S. Iohn the writer of this boke. For the Notaries, Secretaries or chauncelers of Princes are wonte at the ende of the kinges or Emperours letters or writynges, to subscribe their name. And verely S. Iohn in the Historie of the Gospell hath obserued the same maner. For in the .19. chapt. he sayeth: and he that sawe, bare witnes, and his testimony is trewe. And at thende of the Historie he subscribeth and signeth vnderneth with these wordes: this is that disciple, whiche beareth witnes of
115. In the .15. place he bringeth in again the lord Jesus himself speaking and promising that he will certainly come to judgement, verily to redeem and glorify the godly, and to punish the wicked. Therefore with a great asseveration he sayeth, even so ([Greek or Hebrew]) surely, and doubtless I come quickly: although I seem to tarry long, and to some not to come at all. Nevertheless yet most certainly, and in time do I come: as before also is said and declared. And the same thing is repeated, in manner with the same words, oftener as a thing most worthy to be marked and known.
115. In the .15. place he bringeth in agayne the lorde Iesus himselfe speakyng and promising that he wil certenly come to iudgement, verely to redeme and glorifie the godly, and to punnishe the wicked. Therefore with a great asseueration he sayeth, euen so (〈non-Latin alphabet〉) surely, and doubtles I come quickely: although I seme to tarye longe, and to some not to come at al. Neuerthelesse yet moste certenly, and in time doe I come: as before also is sayde and declared. And the same thing is repeted, in maner with the same wordes, oftener as a thinge most worthie to be marked and knowen.
He annexeth immediately the faith and wish, and great desire of S. John, and of the faithful church, or of any godly, submitting him self to the promise, and saying, Amen, even so, [Greek or Hebrew]. That is to say, we acknowledge it to be most certain, and undoubted, that thou promisest that thou wilt come. Therefore do we look for thee the Judge of the quick and the dead: yea & pray with our inward bowels, come lord Jesus. For else where also we pray daily. Thy kingdom come. And all the godly with sighs unspeakable wish for the coming of the Judge, for glory. Whereof the Apostle treateth in the .8. chapter to the Romans, and we have touched the same matter before.
He annexeth immediately the fayth and wisshe, and great desire of S. Iohn, and of the faythfull church, or of any godly, submittyng him selfe to the promesse, and sayeng, Amen, euen so, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. That is to saye, we acknoweledge it to be moste certayne, and vndoubted, that thou promisest that thou wilt come. Therfore doe we loke for thee the Iudge of the quicke and the dead: yea & praye with our inwarde bowelles, come lorde Iesu. For els where also we praye dayly. Thy kingedome come. And al the godly with sighes vnspeakeable wish for the commyng of the Iudge, for glory. Whereof the Apostle treateth in the .8. chapter to the Romanes, and we haue touched the same matter before.
1In the last place of the conclusion he wisheth, after the Apostolic manner, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to all the hearers and readers of this book. S. Paul in the .2. Epistle to the Thess. the .3. chapt. Thus I write, sayeth he, in every Epistle, the grace of our lord Jesus Christ be with all you. Amen. He therefore here agreeth to him self, as the Apostolical spirit doeth every where. Grace comprehendeth the whole matter of the redemption and gifts of Christ. He wisheth therefore to us all the blessing, which we have in Christ Jesus our Lord. Whereof most plentifully and besi• hath disco•••ed •he vessel of election. S. Paul in the .1. chap. to the Ephes• […] •he lord Jesus which hath revealed to us ⟨p. 699⟩these holy mysteries, write the same in our minds, and deliver us from Antichrist, and from all evils: and keep us in the true faith and in his grace. Unto him be honour and glory, praise and thanks giving, together with the father and the holy ghost, for evermore: Amen. Come Lord Jesus our redeemer, and only Saviour, and glorify them that look for thy coming most wished for, that we may glorify thee for ever. Amen.
1In the laste place of the conclusion he wissheth, after the Apostolicke maner, the grace of our Lord Iesu Christe to all the hearers and readers of this boke. S. Paule in the .2. Epistle to the Thess. the .3. chapt. Thus I wryte, sayeth he, in euery Epistle, the grace of our lord Iesu Christe be with all you. Amen. He therefore here agreeth to him selfe, as the Apostolicall sprete doeth euery where. Grace comprehendeth the whole matter of the redemption and giftes of Christe. He wissheth therefore to vs al the blessyng, whiche we haue in Christ Iesus our Lord. Whereof moste plentifully and besi• hath disco•••ed •he vessel of election. S. Paule in the .1. chap. to the Ephes• 〈…〉 he lord Iesus whiche hath reuealed to vs
[Greek or Hebrew].
〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
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