B11837:371
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.
13 Christ is prince over the kings of the earth, a monar• verily, and Lord of all rulers: Which hath taken a name • bove all names, the Lord of angels, and of all creatures, […] whom all things be subject: As the Apostle expoundeth. Colos• Philip. 2. And he doeth not abolish laws & Magistrat• which will be king of kings, and Lord of lords. For if tha• were no kings, how should Christ be king of kings? The mo• sacred Emperors, Constance, Constantine, Theodose, an• Justinian, knew them selves to be clients of Christ: Tha• kingdom was Christs, & they to be subjects. These Chri•• acknowledgeth for his, by whom he governeth those he ha•• redeemed with his blood. They that proudly rule over the people, boast them selves to be lords of allthings, & acknowled•• not Christ to be monarch over all, be stark mad. And her• are comprehended such things as we confess in the articles of our faith, that Christ ascended into heaven, & sitteth on th• right hand of the father: that is, that he hath received high p• were of all things in heaven and earth. Ephe. 1. Act. 2.
13 Christ is prince ouer the kinges of the earth, a monar• verely, and Lord of all rulers: Whiche hath taken a name • boue all names, the Lord of aungels, and of all creatures, 〈…〉 whom al things be subiect: As thapostle expoūdeth. Colos• Philip. 2. And he doeth not abolishe lawes & Magistrat• which wil be king of kinges, and Lord of lordes. For if tha• wer no kings, how shuld Christ be king of kings? The mo• sacred Emperours, Constance, Constantine, Theodose, an• Iustinian, knew them selues to be clientes of Christ: Tha• kingdom was Christes, & they to be subiectes. These Chri•• acknowledgeth for his, by whō he gouerneth those he ha•• redemed with his bloud. They that proudly rule ouer ye people, boast thē selues to be lordes of althings, & acknowled•• not Christ to be monarch ouer all, be starke mad. And her• are comprehended such thinges as we confesse in tharticles of our faith, that Christ ascended into heauen, & sitteth on th• right hand of the father: that is, that he hath receiued high p• wer of al things in heauen and earth. Ephe. 1. Act. 2.
14 Christ hath loved us with incomparable love. For he hi• self saith: greater love hath no man, than that a man should leave his life for his friends. This love the Apostle amplefiet• in the fifth to the Romans. And it was exceeding great love […] moved Christ to come down from heaven and be incarna•• and to redeem us by his death. With a free love he love• us, provoked by no desert of ours. For as this same John in ⟨p. 23⟩his Epistle canonical speaketh the same of the father. In this is charity, not that we have loved God, but that he hath loved us, & sent his son a propitiation for our sins: So is it to be understand of the son, ye he hath & doth bear us great good will, not moved thereto through our love, wherewith we have embraced him. And of the free love to mankind, he gave him self unto death, & washed us from our sins. For straight ways is added, by his blood.2 Where three things seem of us to be observed. First that Christ washeth, purgeth, purifieth or cleanseth the faithful: & that most fully, not partly. He alluded to the washings of the law, which he expounded also. For David saith: Purge me with Hyssop, & I shall be made clean, wash me, & I shall be whiter than snow. The same phrase of speech repeateth Isaiah in the first chap. Micah also saith:3 The Lord will return & will have mercy on us, he will tread under feet our iniquities: And thou shalt throw into the depth of the Sea all their sins. And the Lord saith,4 I will cast upon you clean waters, and you shall be mundified from all your filthiness. The Lord Christ these things accomplishing, washeth us, purgeth and cleanseth throughly, aswell from the fault as the pain. He cleanseth us from our sins,5 not from one, but from all. The which thing is proved both by former testimonies, & again in the first & second Epistle of S. John. Last, the manner also of purifying is set forth, by blood. For without the shedding of blood no remission was made. Therefore through the mediation of death and bloudsheding there was full remission of all sins obtained for the faithful.
In the fifth place is showed the effect of our redemption & purifying. For Christ hath brought to pass,1 that as many of us as believe in the father by the son of God, should be kings & priests to God & to his father. Aretas & the copy of complute read not kings but [Greek or Hebrew], that is kingdom: the which is not red amiss. For we be the kingdom of God, for because God by his spirit, not the flesh nor the world, ought to reign in us: And when we permit the government to the spirit, we be the ⟨p. 24⟩kingdom of God: The which thing S. Paul handleth at large in the sixth chap. to the Romans. Moreover we be made kings that is free,2 by Christ, that we should not serve the devil, th• flesh, and the world, according to that saying of Zechariah, […] being delivered from the hands of our enemies, we might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness befo•• him all the days of our life.3 And Christ hath consecrated v• priests with his spirit and blood, that we should offer up t• God spiritual sacrifices, our selves pure, prayers and pra• ses,4 and almsdeeds. For that these be spiritual oblation• Peter and Paul do testify. And these things toke S. Joh• out of Exodus: For we of the Gentiles that have beleve• have succeeded in the place of the people of Israel reiecti• Christ through incredulity. And these things give a lyg•• to that article of the Creed, I believe the holy catholic church the communion of saints. For we be as many of us as b• leve, the fellowship of Gods people, sanctified through Chris to the service of God. Of whom be these things hitherto.
In the sixth place, in the description of Christ he showeth the glory and rule is dew unto God alone through Christ […] the church for evermore:1 We give glory unto God, wh•• we ascribe to his goodness our salvation, and all goodness not to our own strength and merits. We give him ru•• when we acknowledge him to be Lord & head in the church working by him self, not by the saints in heaven, to wh• he hath granted power: Not by the Pope, whom he ha•• constitute Vicar in earth. The whole glory & rule is Christs
In the sixt place, in the discriptiō of Christ he sheweth the glory and rule is dewe vnto God alone through Christ 〈…〉 the churche for euermore:1 We geue glory vnto God, wh•• we ascribe to his goodnes our saluation, and all goodne• not to our own strength and merites. We geue hym ru•• when we acknowledge hym to be Lord & head in the churc• workyng by hym selfe, not by the sainctes in heauen, to wh• he hath graunted power: Not by the Pope, whom he ha•• constitute Vicar in earth. The whole glory & rule is Christs
Seventhly in the description followeth the coming […] Christ unto judgement,1 and the manner of his coming. F• as a cloud toke him up from the eyes of the Apostles, e• so shall he come in clouds to judge the quick and the dea• The scripture witnessing. And he addeth, that the eyes of a• men shall see the judge,2 even of those which have peased him Whereof we gather two things, first, that the judgement sha• be universal. Wherein men arising shall see Christ with th•• own eyes. An other thing, that Christ shall come to judg• meant in the same flesh,3 in the which he was wounded and sticked, hung upon the Cross, was buried and rose again This place is taken out of Zechariah, and is cited also in S. ⟨p. 25⟩Johns Gospel.4 And it behoveth that his body be showed to the whole world full of prints and marks, that hereof may be judged the Godly and also the ungodly: They that then have believed in such a redeemer: These, that then have rejected and contemned such a one. Of these we understand that is added: And they shall wail, for that in deed they have neglected their own salvation: Which the wise man discourseth at large.5 Moreover lest any may should doubt of those things that are spoken of the judgement, and of the lamentation of the wicked (as S. Peter said,6 the contemners and mockers of the judgement should be) he addeth a kind of a confirmation, even so. Amen.
In them also is expounded the article of the creed of Christ that shall judge the quick and the dead. He concludeth this place with these words: I am Alpha & Omega, that which followeth (the beginning and end) is omitted in some copies: As though that interpretation of that same, I am Alpha and Omega, crept in out of the margin. It is a proverb of S. John the Apostle, I am Alpha and Omega. Heretics, as Basilides and Valentine, were wonderfully delighted in letters. But against those lettered Heretics John speaketh plainly by the mouth of Christ. I am Alpha and Omega. If any thing ought to be ascribed to letters, I am all this whole that everlasting virtue, essence, and eternity. For the sense is, that God is the beginning and end, that is eternal, unspeakable, best and greatest. Those things are repeated: He that is, which was. &c. Which were expounded before: There is added, almighty. For hereby is declared the unity and majesty of God, of whom the Trinity was opened also before. Hereby also the authority of this book is confirmed, the author whereof is showed to be that God eternal and almighty. To whom be glory.
In them also is expoūded the article of the crede of Christ that shall iudge the quicke and the dead. He concludeth this place with these wordes: I am Alpha & Omega, that whiche followeth (the beginning and end) is omitted in some copies: As though that interpretation of that same, I am Alpha and Omega, crept in out of the margent. It is a prouerbe of S. Iohn the Apostle, I am Alpha and Omega. Heretickes, as Basilides and Valentine, were wonderfully delighted in letters. But against those lettered Heretickes Iohn speaketh plainly by the mouth of Christ. I am Alpha and Omega. If any thing ought to be ascribed to letters, I am al this whole that euerlasting vertue, essence, and eternitie. For the sense is, that God is the beginning and ende, that is eternall, vnspeakeable, best and greatest. Those things are repeted: He yt is, which was. &c. Which were expoūded before: There is added, almightie. For hereby is declared the vnitie and maiestie of God, of whom the Trinitie was opened also before. Hereby also the authoritie of this boke is confirmed, the authour wherof is shewed to be that God eternal and almighty. To whom be glory.
I John your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom & patience which is in Jesus Christ, was in the Isle of Patmos for the word of God, & testimony of Jes• Christ. I was in the spirit on the Sunday and heard behind me a great voice, as it ha• been of a tromp, saying: I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. That thou see• write in a book, and send it to the congregations which are in Asia, unto Ephesus, an• unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, & Thyatire, and unto Sardis, and unto Philade• phia, and unto Laodicea.
I Iohn your brother and companiō in tribulation, and in the kingdō & patiēce which is in Iesu Christ, was in the Ile of Pathmos for ye word of God, & testimony of Ies• Christe. I was in the spirite on the Sonday and heard behind me a great voice, as it ha• bene of a trompe, saying: I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. That thou see• wryte in a boke, and send it to the congregations whiche are in Asia, vnto Ephesus, an• vnto Smyrna, and vnto Pergamos, & Thyatire, and vnto Sardis, and vnto Philade• phia, and vnto Laodicia.
1The last place of the first showeth unto us a brief narrati• wherein the Apostle S. John declareth the time and place this Revelation, and by whose commandment he wrou• sent the same to the seven churches in Asia.
1The last place of the first sheweth vnto vs a brief narrati• wherin the Apostle S. Iohn declareth the tyme and place this Reuelation, and by whose commaundement he wrou• sent the same to the seuen churches in Asia.
And again now the third time is the name of John rehea• sed. He saw undoubtedly, that there would be some which to the end they might take away the use and fruit of th• book, would doubt of the author: Against whom he repet•• and reiterateth his name so oft, leest we should doubt & lac• the great commodity of so worthy a book.
And againe now ye third time is the name of Iohn rehea• sed. He sawe vndoubtedly, that there would be some which to the ende they might take away the vse and fruite of th• boke, wold doubt of the authour: Against whom he repet•• and reiterateth his name so oft, leest we should doubt & lac• the great commoditie of so worthy a boke.
1He addeth to his name certain things, which instruct• touching the state of the Apostle, and certain profitable ma• ters. First he calleth him self a brother, namely of those s•• churches, and of all ours: As where I have admonished yo• that in the seventh number are comprised all churches of […] times throughout the whole world. We are all, so many […] ⟨p. 27⟩believe, the children of one heavenly father: And therefore all spiritual brethren in Christ, coinheriters with Christ, & heirs of God. Which thing S. Paul taught after Christ.2 And seeing our dignity is so great, let us ones be ashamed of our misdeeds, least our memory be put out of this most noble and celestial family. It is a shame the brother of Christ, of S. John & all the Apostles should degenerate. &c. But why have not they so instantly urged this brotherhood, as the Monks have beaten in their forged fraternities, the Rosaries of the virgin Mary and of Saints? Because that was free, & cost nothing: But the Monks sell theirs dear. They be therefore deceivers and seducers.
1He addeth to his name certen thinges, whiche instruct• touching the state of the Apostle, and certen profitable ma• ters. First he calleth him self a brother, namely of those s•• churches, and of al ours: As where I haue admonished yo• that in the seuenth number are comprised all churches of 〈…〉 times throughout the whole worlde. We are all, so many 〈…〉 ⟨p. 27⟩beleue, the children of one heauenly father: And therfore all spiritual brethren in Christ, coinheriters with Christ, & heires of God. Which thing S. Paul taught after Christ.
After he calleth him self partaker in affliction, or oppression and persecution, as he that was even now banished by the Emperor Domitian, and lived in exile. And he joineth together and not separateth him self in the evil: That is common to all the faithful brethren.1 And verily it is one and the same persecution, that vexed the Apostles, and tormenteth us at this day. Let us therefore rejoice, that we have the Apostles and all the Martyrs of Christ fellows of our trouble and affliction, that we be broken and bruised with the heavy burden of evils. Let us therefore be patient and long suffering. For it is not enough to be afflicted, and vexed with all kind of evils (for many without any fruit or praise at all endure most grievous pains.) But it becometh us also to be patient in adversity. Therefore S. John at this present joineth with all, patience. For the Lord said in the Gospel. In your patience shall you possess your souls.
After he calleth him selfe partaker in affliction, or oppression and persecution, as he that was euen now bannished by the Emperour Domitian, and liued in exile. And he ioyneth together and not separateth him selfe in the euill: That is cō mon to all the faithfull brethren.1 And verely it is one and the same persecution, that vexed the Apostles, and tourmenteth vs at this day. Let vs therfore reioyce, that we haue the Apostles and all the Martyrs of Christ fellowes of our trouble and affliction, that we be broken and bruised with the heauy burthen of euils. Let vs therfore be paciēt and long suffring. For it is not enough to be afflicted, and vexed with all kinde of euils (for many without any fruicte or prayse at all indure moste greuous paines.) But it becometh vs also to be patiēt in aduersitie. Therfore S. Iohn at this present ioyneth with all, patince. For the Lorde sayd in the Gospell. In your patience shall you possesse your soules.
After he addeth unto tribulation & patience a kingdom, & that an heavenly not a terrestrial kingdom.1 And he bringeth in the kingdom for the comfort of the patient people. For also the Apostle S. Paul said, a certain and sure saying. For if we die with Christ, we shall live also with him: If we suffer, we shall reign with him. &c. Let us always here with comfort our selves in adversity. For we are thrust down, that we might ones be exalted again .ii. Corinthians .iiii. And all these things are concluded in Christ Jesus, by whom we be both the children & brethren of God, and suffer many things patiently, and are made partakers of his kingdom. ⟨p. 28⟩For even for these things must we thank him, and his m• rites, and not our own desert.
After he addeth vnto tribulation & patience a kingdom, & that an heauenly not a terrestrial kingdom.1 And he bringeth in the kingdom for the comfort of the patient people. For also the Apostle S. Paul said, a certen and sure saying. For if we die with Christ, we shall lyue also with hym: If we suffer, we shall reygne with hym. &c. Let vs alwayes here with comfort our selues in aduersitie. For we are thruste downe, that we might ones be exalted againe .ii. Corinthians .iiii. And all these thinges are concluded in Christ Iesus, by whō we be both the children & brethren of God, and suffer many thinges patiently, and are made partakers of his kingdom. ⟨p. 28⟩For euen for these thinges must we thanke him, and his m• rites, and not our own deserte.
1Let us here note also, what and how great hath been the humility of the greatest and worthy Apostle of God, wh• was his state: Not pleasant, but hard, yet in the patience […] Christ joyful. But where be they now, that glory in th• name of Apostles: Who in the mean time swelling wit• pride, are addict to filthy pleasures? Which I warn, th• we flee from them, as from Apostates.
1Let vs here note also, what and howe great hath bene the humilitie of the greatest and worthie Apostle of God, wh• was his state: Not plesaunt, but harde, yet in the pacience 〈…〉 Christ ioyfull. But where be they nowe, that glory in th• name of Apostles: Who in the meane time swellyng wit• pride, are addicte to filthie pleasures? Whiche I warne, th• we flee from them, as from Apostataes.
1And now he showeth the place, where this divine revelation was made him, where also he was commanded of Go• to write the same. The place was the Isle of Patmos. Th• same is accounted amongst the Islands called Sporad• of Pliny in the fourth book and .xii. cha. It lay over again Asia, and the city of Ephesus, and was in the sight both […] Europe and Africa, so that it seemed to be as it were a mi• dle seat, or holy chair, out of the which Christ preached […] John from heaven to the whole world. And in deed the co• sells of God are wonderful, and his goodness is unspeakable, which revealeth so great mysteries, as it were in th• Romish prison or Babilonicall captivity, to his faithful.
1And now he sheweth the place, where this diuine reuelation was made him, where also he was cōmaunded of Go• to wryte the same. The place was the Ile of Patmos. Th• same is accompted amonges the Ilondes called Sporad• of Plinie in the fourth boke and .xii. cha. It lay ouer again• Asia, and the citie of Ephesus, and was in thu sight boeth 〈…〉 Europe and Affricke, so that it semed to be as it were a mi• dle seate, or holy chaire, out of the which Christ preached 〈…〉 Iohn from heauen to the whole worlde. And in dede the co• selles of God are wonderfull, and his goodnes is vnspekeable, which reuealeth so great misteries, as it were in th• Romish pryson or Babilonicall captiuitie, to his faithfull.
1Neither hideth he the cause of his coming into the sam• Island, I was there, sayeth he, for the word of God, and th• testimony of Jesus Christ. The word of God is the very so• of God, called of John by a singular propriety of speech the word or sermon of God, as appeareth the first of John and the testimony of Jesus Christ is the Gospel if self, which Jesus testified, and the which his disciples have testified o• Jesus. Therefore for the confession and preaching of Jes•• Christ, and of his wholesome Gospel (for so he expoundeth also how he is made partaker of the affliction) John was appr• hended in Asia, & by soldiers led to Rome, that he might plea• his cause before the emperor Domitian, who of his cruel nature condemned the innocent. And he was put into a cauldron o• hot boiling oil. Out of the which when he escaped without harm, he was carried into Patmos. He answered no other matter before the emperor, than Paul did .27. years past, before Nero. This was done in yt .xiiii. or .xv. year of Domitian And the .xxiiii. year after the destruction of the city Jerusalem ⟨p. 29⟩and after the birth of our Lord .lxvi. Domitian who would seem and be called a God, being slain of his own men, after many murders & cruel acts, died himself a shameful death, the .xv. year of his reign. The authors hereof are, Suetonius in the life of Domitian, Tertullian in the heretic. prescript. Eusebius in his chronicles, and in the third book of the ecclesiastical history, in the .xvii. and .xviii. chapter. And hereto is added the common consent of all writers.
1Neyther hideth he the cause of his comming into the sam• Iland, I was there, saieth he, for the worde of God, and th• testimony of Iesu Christ. The word of God is the very so• of God, called of Iohn by a singular proprietie of speache the worde or sermon of God, as appeareth the first of Iohn and the testimony of Iesu Christ is the Gospell if self, whic Iesus testified, and the whiche his disciples haue testified o Iesu. Therfore for the confession and preaching of Ies Christ, and of his holsome Gospell (for so he expoundet also how he is made partaker of thafflictiō) Iohn was appr hended in Asia, & by soldiours led to Rome, yt he might plea his cause before themperour Domitian, who of his cruel nature condēned the inuocēt. And he was put into a cawdrō o hote boiling oyl. Out of ye whiche when he escaped withou harme, he was caried into Patmos. He aunswered no other matter before themperour, than Paul did .27. yeres past, before Nero. This was done in yt .xiiii. or .xv. yere of Domitiā And the .xxiiii. yeare after ye destructiō of the citie Hierusalē
14 Christ hath loued vs with incōparable loue. For he hi• self saith: greater loue hath no man, than that a man shoul• leaue his life for his frēdes. This loue the Apostle amplefiet• in the fift to the Romains. And it was exceading great loue 〈…〉 moued Christ to come downe from heauen and be incarna•• and to redeme vs by his death. With a free loue he loue• vs, prouoked by no desert of ours. For as this same Iohn in ⟨p. 23⟩his Epistle canonicall speaketh the same of the father. In this is charitie, not yt we haue loued God, but yt he hath loued vs, & sent his son a propiciation for our sinnes: So is it to be vnderstād of the son, ye he hath & doth bear vs great good will, not moued thereto through our loue, wherewith we haue imbraced him. And of ye fre loue to mankinde, he gaue him self vnto death, & washed vs frō our sinnes. For streight waies is added, by his bloud.2 Where thre thinges seme of vs to be obserued. First that Christ washeth, purgeth, purifieth or clēseth ye faithful: & that most fully, not partly. He alluded to the washings of the law, which he expoūded also. For Dauid saith: Pourge me with Hysope, & I shalbe made cleane, washe me, & I shalbe whiter than snow. The same phrase of speache repeteth Esay in the first chap. Micheas also sayth:3 The Lord wil returne & wil haue mercy on vs, he wil treade vnder fete our iniquities: And thou shalt throw into ye depth of the Sea al their sinnes. And the Lord saith,4 I wil cast vpon you cleane waters, and you shall be mundified from al your filthines. The Lord Christ these thinges accomplishing, washeth vs, purgeth and clenseth throughly, aswell from the falte as the paine. He clenseth vs from our sinnes,5 not from one, but from al. The which thing is proued both by former testimonies, & again in the first & second Epistle of S. Iohn. Last, the maner also of purifiyng is set forth, by bloud. For without the sheding of bloud no remission was made. Therfore through the mediation of death and bloudsheding there was full remissiō of all sinnes obteined for the faithfull.6 They that bring forth any other maner of forgeuenes of synnes, ar iniurious to the death and bloud of the sonne of God. And here we may se plainly set forth an article of the Apostolicall crede. I beleue the forgeuenes of synnes.
In the fift place is shewed theffect of our redēption & purifiyng. For Christ hath brought to passe,1 yt as many of vs as beleue in the father by ye son of God, shuld be kinges & prists to God & to his father. Aretas & the copie of complute reade not kinges but 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, that is kyngdome: the which is not red amisse. For we be ye kingdō of God, for bicause God by his spirit, not the flesh nor the worlde, ought to reigne in vs: And when we permitte the gouernment to the spirit, we be ye ⟨p. 24⟩kingdō of God: The which thing S. Paul handleth at large in the sixt chap. to ye Romains. Moreouer we be made kings that is free,2 by Christ, that we should not serue the deuill, th• flesh, and the world, according to that saying of Zacharie, 〈…〉 being deliuered from the handes of our enemies, we migh• serue him without feare in holines and rightuousnes befo•• hym al the daies of our life.3 And Christe hath consecrated v• priestes with his spirite and bloud, that we should offer vp t• God spirituall sacrifices, our selues pure, prayers and pra• ses,4 and almosdedes. For that these be spirituall oblation• Peter and Paul do testifie. And these thinges toke S. Ioh• out of Exodus: For we of the Gentils that haue beleue• haue succeded in the place of the people of Israell reiecti• Christ through incredulitie. And these thinges geue a lyg•• to that article of the Crede, I beleue ye holy catholick church the communion of sainctes. For we be as many of vs as b• leue, ye fellowship of Gods people, sanctified through Chris• to the seruice of God. Of whome be these thinges hitherto.
