B11837:350
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.
Good things must be done in the Godly, for because the nature of grace and faith is such, like as the property of ungodliness is to contemn and transgress. Wherefore they must also be punished. And because the world is such, as it is, there must needs be Heresies and calamities innumerable. And he sayeth these things must shortly be done that are revealed, for because certain things began in the very time of S. John. And although many things are found to be done a thousand years after,1 yet sayeth the Apostle saint Peter. A thousand years before the Lord, be as it were yesterday. Therefore this Revelation appertaineth to the times of the primitive and last Church: And declareth what things so ever shall happen unto it till the last judgement. Yea and how it shall reign for ever.
Good thynges must be done in the Godly, for bycause the nature of grace and faith is suche, lyke as the propertie of vngodlines is to contemne and transgresse. Wherfore they must also be punysshed. And bycause the worlde is suche, as it is, there must needes bee Heresies and calamities innumerable. And he sayeth these thynges must shortly be done that are reuealed, for bycause certen thynges began in the very tyme of S. Iohn. And although many thynges are founde to be doone a thousande yeares after,1 yet sayeth the Apostle saynt Peter. A thousande yeares before the Lorde, be as it were yesterday. Therfore this Reuelation apperteyneth to the tymes of the primatiue and last Churche: And declareth what thynges so euer shal happen vnto it tyll the last iudgement. Yea and howe it shall reigne for euer.
Moreover the manner of revealing is also touched.1 For Christ revealed those things, sending by his Angel, or his Angel sent forth, unto whom he gave in commandment what he should say and do. Whereupon this Angel is after also called Christ, because he represented the person of Christ. Therefore must not the Angel in this book, but Christ always be considered, the true Author of all these things. And in deed the Divinity ⟨p. 16⟩of Christ is here commended unto us, what time we hea• that Christ is the Lord of angels. Whereof S. Paul to the Hebrews hath reasoned more at large.2 Moses in the .xii.• Numbers setteth forth chiefly three manners of prophesying or revelation.3 First by vision, of the which sort many are • scribed to Daniel, one notable to S. Peter in the .x. of th• Acts, and likewise to S. Paul. And into this form Infer also the Apocalypse. Secondly by dream: of the which sort were those of Pharaoh and Nabuchodonozer kings whereof Joseph and Daniel were interpreters.4 The Prophet Joel in the second chapter, mentioneth of visions and dreams. For in the new Testament also there be very many holy and prophetical dreams. Last of all Moses rehe• seth a skilful exposition, as many were made to Moses▪ to the Apostles. Into whose fellowship the Apocalypse cometh after a sort also, where visions are openly expounde• Here appeareth the unspeakable goodness of God, which […] many ways procureth and worketh our salvation, and s• pleasantly prepared offereth it unto us to enjoy. Unhappy is he, that knoweth not these things.
Moreouer the maner of reuealyng is also touched.1 For Christ reuealed those thynges, sendyng by hys Aungell, or his Aungell sent forth, vnto whome he gaue in commaundement what he should saye and doe. Whereupon thys Aungell is after also called Christe, bycause he represented the persone of Christe. Therfore must not the Aungell in this booke, but Christ alwayes be considered, the trewe Authour of all these thynges. And in dede the Diuinitie ⟨p. 16⟩of Christ is here commended vnto vs, what tyme we hea• that Christ is the Lord of aungels. Wherof S. Paul to the Hebrues hath reasoned more at large.2 Moyses in the .xii.• Numbres setteth forth chiefly thre maners of propheciyn• or reuelation.3 First by vision, of the which sorte many are • scribed to Daniell, one notable to S. Peter in the .x. of th• Actes, and likewyse to S. Paul. And into this forme Inferre also the Apocalipse. Secondly by dreame: of the whic• sorte were those of Pharao and Nabuchodonozer kynges wherof Ioseph and Daniel were interpretours.4 The Prophet Ioel in the second chapter, mentioneth of visions and dreames. For in the newe Testament also there be very many holy and prophetical dreames. Last of all Moyses rehe• seth a skylfull exposition, as many were made to Moyses▪ to the Apostles. Into whose fellowship the Apocalipse commeth after a sorte also, where visions are openly expounde• Here appereth the vnspekeable goodnes of God, whiche 〈…〉 many wayes procureth and worketh our saluation, and s• pleasauntly prepared offereth it vnto vs to inioye. Vnhappy is he, that knoweth not these thinges.
1Besides this, much mention is made unto whom Chris• hath opened this divine and most excellent revelation, eu• to John. He commendeth him, that is himself (for so was i• expedient for the confuting of his adversaries, seeing that Pau• also many times maintained his authority against the fal• Apostles) by four Epithets. For first he calleth himself th• servant of Christ. This is the eldest and noblest title, which the fathers, Prophets, and Apostles have used. For they b• addict and consecrate to God. Secondly John testified th• word of God amongst the Apostles, most expressly declaring the divinity of Christ, especially where he testified & said In the beginning was the word.2 &c. Moreover he testifie• the witness of Jesus Christ: Under the which name the Lord• himself in the Gospel, and S. John in the .xii. chapt. of his Gospel, comprised the whole Evangelical doctrine. And was a seeing witness of all these things. For in the first Chapter we have seen, saith he, his glory. And in the .xix. Chapter he saw water and blood gush out of the Lords side. In his Epistle,3 that we have seen, saith he, and have heard. &c.
1Besides this, much mencion is made vnto whome Chris• hath opened this diuine and most excellent reuelation, eu• to Iohn. He commendeth hym, that is himself (for so was i• expedient for the confuting of his aduersaries, seing yt Pau• also many tymes mainteined his authoritie against the fal Apostles) by foure Epithetes. For first he calleth himself th seruaunt of Christ. This is the eldest and noblest title, whic the fathers, Prophetes, and Apostles haue vsed. For they b addicte and consecrate to God. Secondly Iohn testified th worde of God amongst the Apostles, most expressely declaring ye diuinitie of Christ, especially where he testified & said In the beginning was the worde.
Aretas noteth, that in certain Greek copies is added, that which is had also in the Greek copy of Spain. And what things soever he hath heard, and what so ever be, and what so ever must be done after this.
Aretas noteth, that in certen Greke copies is added, that whiche is had also in the Greke copie of Spayne. And what thinges soeuer he hath heard, and what so euer be, and what so euer must be done after this.
That same John therefore is author of this book,1 which as he saw the Lord in flesh upon earth, so he saw the same in spirit revealing these things in heaven: and propoundeth to the church sights most certain and sure. This John was that beloved disciple of the Lord, which in the last supper, rested upon his breast, unto whom in his last will he bequeathed his mother on the cross, one virgin to another.
That same Iohn therfore is authour of this boke,1 whiche as he sawe the Lorde in flesh vpon earth, so he sawe the same in spirite reuealing these thinges in heauen: and propoundeth to the churche sightes most certen and sure. This Iohn was that beloued disciple of the Lord, whiche in the last supper, rested vpon his breste, vnto whom in his last will he bequeathed his mother on the crosse, one virgin to another.
He alone stood by at the altar of the cross when Christ died: witness of the true death, and of our purification. He lived till the time of the Emperor Trajan, which thing Eusebius in his chronicles citeth out of Ireney, in the noting of the year from the birth of Christ an hundred and three. Dorotheus a most ancient writer, affirmeth ye John lived .vi. score years.
He alone stode by at the aultar of the crosse whē Christ died: witnes of the true death, and of our purification. He lyued til the tyme of the Emperour Traiane, which thing Eusebius in his cronicles citeth out of Ireney, in the noting of ye yeare from the birth of Christ an hondreth and thre. Dorotheus a most aūcient wryter, affirmeth ye Iohn liued .vi. score yeares.
Last is touched also the profit of this godly work or revelation,1 that hereby the readers and hearers might be provoked to diligence. Where this book is called also a prophecy. For this book by reason of the telling before of things to come, is the prophecy, of the new Testament: Moreover a prophecy, that is an exposition,2 which openeth and and expoundeth the old Prophets. And promiseth blessedness to the readers, hearers, and keepers of the things that are written in this book. Blessedness comprehendeth the benefits of the life present, so far forth as the Lord permitteth them to the godly: but chiefly of the life to come. If the profit of this book hath been also spoken before in the first Sermon. And mark, that it is not enough to read or hear this book. It must be performed in deed, and kept diligently.
Last is touched also the profit of this godly worke or reuelation,1 that hereby the readers and hearers might be prouoked to diligence. Where this boke is called also a prophecie. For this boke by reason of the telling before of thinges to come, is the prophecie, of the newe Testament: Moreouer a prophecie, that is an exposition,2 whiche openeth and and expoundeth the olde Prophetes. And promiseth blessednes to the readers, hearers, and kepers of the things that are wrytten in this boke. Blessednes comprehendeth the benefites of the life present, so farre forth as the Lorde permitteth them to the godly: but chiefly of the lyfe to come. If the profit of this boke hath bene also spoken before in the first Sermon. And marke, that it is not enough to reade or heare this boke. It must be perfourmed in dede, and kept dilligently.
For the Lord said also in the Gospel: Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it. They therefore that shall frame their life after this book, are happy. For both they fly the seducing of Antichrist, abide in the faith of Christ, & live for ever more. &c.
For the Lord sayd also in the Gospell: Blessed are they that heare the word of God and kepe it. They therfore that shall frame their lyfe after this boke, are happie. For both they flie the seducing of Antichriste, abide in the faith of Christ, & liue for euer more. &c.
And he finisheth the Title with an acclamation, by the which he moveth the hearers exceedingly: For the time is at hand, as though he should say: Let no man think here, ⟨p. 18⟩that strange things, and the which concern him noth•• are told here, which shall come to pass at length after ma• worlds, they belong to every one of us. For they be wr• ten of matters that chiefly concern us, and even of our o• affairs. So showeth he that this book is profitable for a worlds, men, & ages. God the father by his Son teach• profitable things, and admonishing time enough and dew season, be praised world without end. Amen.
And he finisheth the Title with an acclamation, by the whiche he moueth the hearers exceadingly: For the tyme is at hande, as thouge he should saie: Let no man thinke here, ⟨p. 18⟩that straunge thinges, and the which concerne him noth•• are tolde here, which shal come to passe at length after ma• worldes, they belong to euery one of vs. For they be wr• ten of matters that chiefly concerne vs, and euen of our o• affaires. So sheweth he that this booke is profitable for a worldes, men, & ages. God the father by his sonne teach• profitable thinges, and admonishing tyme enough and dewe season, be praysed worlde without end. Amen.
John to the seven congregations Asia. Grace be with you & pea• from him which is, and which was, & which is to come, and […] the seven spirits which are pr• sent before his throne. And from Jesus Chri•• which is a faithful witness, and first begot of the dead: And Lord over the kings of t• earth. Unto him that loved us, and wassh• us from sins in his own blood: And ma• us kings and priests, unto God his father be glory and dominion for evermore. Ame• Behold he cometh with clouds: And all ey• shall see him: And they also which pierced hi• & all kindreds of the earth shall wail over him Even so. Amen. I am Alpha & Omega, the beginning & the ending, saith the Lord almighty which is, & which was, & which is to come.
IOhn to the seuen cōgregatiōs Asia. Grace be with you & pea• from him whiche is, and whic• was, & whiche is to come, and 〈…〉 the seuen spirites which are pr• sent before his throne. And frō Iesus Chri•• which is a faithful witnes, and first begot• of the dead: And Lord ouer the kinges of t• earth. Vnto hym that loued vs, and wassh• vs from sinnes in his own bloud: And ma• vs kynges and priestes, vnto God his fathe• be glory and dominion for euermore. Ame• Behold he cometh with cloudes: And al ey• shal se him: And thei also which pearsed hi• & al kinredes of ye earth shal wayle ouer him Euen so. Amē. I am Alpha & Omega, the beginning & thending, saith ye Lord almight which is, & which was, & which is to come.
1Another piece of the first part of this book, containeth t• beginning or preface, wherein is the Apostles salutation, […] the which he describeth first the whole mystery of Christ, •• condly ⟨p. 19⟩of our faith & redemption. For so were the Apostles wont in the beginning of their writings to comprise a brief some of salutation: Which thing in Pauls Epistles is every where to be seen. By the same description he getteth the benevolence and attentiveness of all men.
1Another pece of the first part of this boke, conteineth t• beginning or preface, wherin is the Apostles salutation, 〈…〉 the whiche he discribeth first the whole mistery of Christ, •• condly ⟨p. 19⟩of our faith & redemption. For so were the Apostles wont in the beginning of their writinges to comprise a brief some of salutation: Which thing in Paules Epistles is euery where to be sene. By the same description he getteth the beneuolence and attentiuenes of al men.
The Apostles salutation or greeting is nothing else,1 but a blessing. Blessing is an old accustomed order, by the which the Patriarchs wished of God to their children all manner of good things, both of body & soul. Which verily in Genesis is described at large. And also the high priest had commandment given to bless the people: As we read in the sixth of Nun bres, especially he commandeth to put his name upon the people. Therefore it is a superstition to say God verily, from whom every good gift descendeth from above, blesseth, that is giveth good things: but ministers or men wish only. And the Lord in deed in the law promiseth, that he will grant those things to the people, which the high priests should wish them. Therefore neither words nor shaven crowns: but the truth & power of God give the gifts. We ought not therefore to doubt, but that God will grant to us also the Apostolical blessing, that being reconciled & accepted of God we might have peace. And first S. John repeateth his name, left we should any thing doubt of the author,2 whom we see Christ to have used as scribe & interpreter unto all congregations. But he repeateth not himself to be yt servant of god, & witness or Apostle of Jesus Christ. It sufficed to have heard it at the first beginning. Therefore he teacheth them modesty & humility also, which have obtained great gifts. Afterward he signifieth, to whom he writeth, & to whom this book appertaineth, to the seven churches of Asia, the names whereof he will utter shortly after. And Aretas bishop of Caesarea, by the .vii. churches, saith he, & by the .vii. nun bre, he signified the multitude of churches that be in all places. So also Primasius bish. of Utica in Africa, expoundeth the .vii. nun ber. Therefore this salutation, this book, & the whole doctrine of Jesus Christ, written by s. John,3 appertaineth to the whole universal church of Christ throughout all the world, & in all times & ages. Whereupon it belongeth to all us also as many as be of us in the church of Christ. For albeit the Epistles be entitled to the Romans & Galath. yet followeth it not therefore, that they be not ours. ⟨p. 20⟩And he writeth expressly to the churches of Asia, not to t• churches of Jerusalem or Jewry: that he might so shew that the kingdom of Christ, is come also already to the g tiles.
And as God from the beginning chose Israel, in whi• he might set forth a perfect example of the church, and comm• wealth: so from the beginning of the new Testament, he chose those seven churches of Asia, which he might set forth to the wh•• Christen world. But in case Rome had ben set in the first pla• amongest the churches, as Ephesus is, good God, ho• much would the Romish sort make of it, for the estabishing• their supremacy.
And as God from the beginning chose Israell, in whi• he myght set forth a perfit example of the church, and cōm• wealth: so frō ye beginning of ye new Testamēt, he chose thos• seuen churches of Asia, which he might set forth to ye wh•• Christen world. But in case Rome had ben set in ye first pla• amongest the churches, as Ephesus is, good God, ho• much wold the Romish sort make of it, for the estabishing• their supremacie.
1And the manner of the Apostles saluting wisheth gran• peace. Grace is the favour of the deity, and the reconc• meant, whereby God the father for Christ his sake is made• one with us, our sins pardoned, & we adopted for his chi• dren. Thereof ariseth the peace and tranquillity of mynd• and the desire of concord with all men.
1And the maner of the Apostles saluting wysheth gran• peace. Grace is the fauour of the deitie, and the reconc• ment, wherby God the father for Christ his sake is made• one with vs, our sinnes pardoned, & we adopted for his chi• dren. Therof arriseth the peace and tranquillitie of mynd• and the desire of concorde with all men.
And here he showeth abundantly, who giveth the church his blessing, that is to wit, grace, reconcilement, & pea• God, and God three in persons, the father, the Son, and th• holy ghost, one God in essence. But here he discerneth th• persons very well. From him that is, to wit, the father And from the seven spirits that is, from the holy ghost: And fro• Jesus Christ, this is the diversity of persons. And the signification of the unity is, when after the proprieties of persons d• clared,1 he addeth: I am Alpha & omega. &c. And that the ho• ghost is set here in the midst, it disordereth not the miste• of the Trinity: but appeareth to be an argument that he […] the spirit as well of the father, as of the Son, and that h• proceedeth from both. As it is also proved by the words […] our lord, the .xiiii.xv. and .xvi. of John. Here is also describe• the whole wholesome mystery first of Christ, than of the catholic faith, and of our redemption, so that herein you may find• the chiefest articles of the Apostles creed, & have here a mos• goodly description of Christ our Lord. Hereof all men shall judg• how truly some men say,2 that this book, contrary to the •• stome of the Apostles, maketh little mention of Christ & of faith
And here he sheweth aboundantly, who geueth ye churc• his blessing, that is to witte, grace, reconcilement, & pea• God, and God thre in persons, the father, the sonne, and th• holy ghost, one God in essence. But here he discerneth th persones very well. From him that is, to witte, the fathe And from the seuē spirites yt is, from ye holy ghost: And fro Iesu Christ, this is ye diuersitie of persons. And the signification of the vnitie is, when after the proprieties of persons d clared,
The Apostles salutation or greting is nothing els,1 but a blessing. Blessing is an old accustomed order, by the whiche the Patriarkes wished of God to their children al maner of good thinges, both of body & soul. Which verely in Genesis is described at large. And also the high priest had cōmaundement geuen to blesse the people: As we reade in ye sixt of Nū bres, especially he commaundeth to put his name vpon the people. Therfore it is a supersticion to say God verely, from whome euery good gifte descendeth frō aboue, blesseth, that is geueth good thinges: but ministers or men wishe only. And the Lord in dede in ye lawe promiseth, that he will graūt those thinges to the people, whiche the high priestes shoulde wishe them. Therfore nother wordes nor shauen crownes: but ye truth & power of God geue the giftes. We ought not therfore to doubt, but yt God wil graūt to vs also thapostolical blessing, yt being reconciled & accepted of God we might haue peace. And first S. Ihō repeteth his name, left we shuld any thing doubt of thautour,2 whō we see Christ to haue vsed as scribe & interpretour vnto al cōgregatiōs. But he repeteth not himself to be yt seruaūt of god, & witnesse or Apostle of Iesu Christ. It sufficed to haue heard yt at ye first beginnīg. Therfore he teacheth thē modestie & humilitie also, which haue obteined great giftes. Afterward he signifieth, to whō he wryteth, & to whō this boke apperteineth, to ye seuen churches of Asia, ye names wherof he will vtter shortly after. And Aretas bishop of Cesaria, by ye .vii. churches, saith he, & by the .vii. nū bre, he signified ye multitude of churches yt be in al places. So also Primasius bish. of Vtica in Affrick, expoūdeth ye .vii. nū ber. Therfor this salutatiō, this boke, & the whole doctrine of Iesu Christ, writtē by s. Ihō,3 apperteineth to ye whole vniuersal church of Christ throughout al ye world, & in all times & ages. Wherupō it belōgeth to all vs also as many as be of vs in ye church of Christ. For albeit thepistles be intitled to ye Romains & Galath. yet followeth it not therfore, yt they be not ours. ⟨p. 20⟩And he wryteth expressely to the churches of Asia, not to t• churches of Hierusalem or Iewery: that he might so shew• that the kingdome of Christ, is comen also already to the g• tiles.
