B11837:464
A hundred sermons upo[n] the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ revealed in deed by the angel of the Lord: but seen or received and written by the apostle and Eva[n]gelist. S. John: compiled by the famous and godly learned man, Henry Bullinger, chief pastor of the congregation of Zuryk. Newly set forth and allowed, according to the order appointed in the Queens majesties, iniuntions. The argument, worthiness, commodity, and use of this work, thou shalt find in the preface: after which thou hast a most exact table to lead thee into all the principal matters contained therein.A hundred sermons vpo[n] the Apocalips of Iesu Christe reueiled in dede by thangell of the Lorde: but seen or receyued and written by thapostle and Eua[n]gelist. S. Iohn: compiled by the famous and godly learned man, Henry Bullinger, chief pastor of the congregation of Zuryk. Newly set forth and allowed, according to the order appoynted in the Quenes maiesties, iniuntions. Thargument, wurthines, commoditie, and vse of this worke, thou shalt fynd in the preface: after which thou hast a most exact table to leade thee into all the princypall matters conteyned therin.
printed by John Day, 1561printed by Iohn Day, 1561
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And unto the Angel of the congr• gation of Smyrna write. Thes• things saith he that is first an• the last, which was dead and i• alive. I know thy works, and t•• bulations and poverty, but thou art rich And I know the blasphemy of them which call them selves Jews, and are not: but a• the congregation of Satan. Fear none […] those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold the Devil shall cast some of you into prison to tempt you, and you shall have tribulat•• ten days. Be faithful unto the death, and […] will give thee a crown of life. Let him th• hath ears, hear, what the spirit saith to congregations, he that overcometh shall n• be hurt of the second death.
ANd vnto the Aungel of the cōgr• gation of Smyrna wryte. Thes• thinges sayth he that is first an• the last, whiche was dead and i• aliue. I know thy workes, and t•• bulations and pouertie, but thou arte rich• And I know the blasphemie of them which call them selues Iewes, and are not: but a• the congregation of Sathan. Feare none 〈…〉 those things which thou shalt suffer. Behol• the Deuil shall cast some of you into priso• to tempte you, and you shall haue tribulat•• ten daies. Be faithfull vnto the death, and 〈…〉 will geue thee a crowne of lyfe. Let him th• hath eares, heare, what the spirite saith to congregations, he that ouercometh shall n• be hurt of the second death.
1Jesus Christ from the right hand of the father, throu• the ministry of an angel by the Apostle and Evangel S. John, exhorteth the congregations of Smyrna, than •• flicted with all kind of evils for the word of God, unto •• feraunce, and comforteth the same sighing now under […] cross, promising great things to them that overcome. A• verily there can not of this manner and in this matter a be• or briefer exhortation and consolation be found. For in […] wise it is couched of the eternal wisdom of the father, […] unto all times,2 and to all that mourn under the cross it […] right well agree. For like as Christ at the right hand of […] father is the catholic or universal Bishop: so verily is […] doctrine general, which he him self also applieth to all c•• gregations ⟨p. 63⟩in the end of this Epistle, and in others. And s• he declareth that he loveth his church, and is present in the same by his power and aid.
1Iesus Christ from the right hand of the father, throu• the ministerie of an aungell by the Apostle and Euange• S. Iohn, exhorteth the congregations of Smyrna, than •• flicted with all kinde of euils for the worde of God, vnto •• feraunce, and comforteth the same sighing nowe vnder 〈…〉 crosse, promising great thinges to them that ouercome. A• verely ther can not of this maner and in this matter a be• or briefer exhortation and consolation be found. For in 〈…〉 wyse it is couched of the eternal wisdome of the father, vnto all times,
And verily it is to be marvelled,1 that nothing is blamed in this church, since that some fault is found in manner with all others. Therefore was the church of Smyrna right excellent, howbeit not without any spirit. For the Lord of his goodness doth not impute unto us small faults (of the which the Prophet speaketh, who shall say, my heart is clean? And from my hid sins cleanse me) so that there be a fervent desire or zeal of Godliness in us, & that we be void of great enormities.
And verely it is to be marueled,1 that nothing is blamed in this churche, since that some faulte is founde in maner with all others. Therfore was the churche of Smyrna right excellent, howbeit not without any spirite. For the Lorde of his goodnes doth not impute vnto vs smal faultes (of the which the Prophet speaketh, who shall say, my heart is cleane? And from my hidde sinnes clense me) so that there be a feruent desyre or zeale of Godlines in vs, & that we be voyde of great enormities.
First is showed, unto whom this heavenly letter is sent,1 to the Pastor of the church of Smyrna, and to the whole flock. For the captain is said to have soughten or fled, or to have taken peace, when the whole army together with him hath done this. And the stories bear witness that Policarpus was that same messenger or pastor of the church of Smyrna, ordained of the Apostles them selves,2 namely of S. John, Bishop there, and that he lived in the mystery of this congregation .lxxxvi. years. For so many he accounteth him self before the Lieutenant Herod, what time he was brought to execution. For in the fourth persecution of the church, Aurelius Antoninus, and Aurelius Commodus, being Emperors, he was taken and brought to the governor: And at length for the open and sincere confessing of Christ he was burnt. He had this very much in his mouth: That nothing ought to be received for true, unless it were known to be set forth by the Apostles. Ireneus affirmeth that when he was a child he saw this old father a man of great years and reverence, in the third book and third chapt. against heresies, where he telleth many things of him besides. As also doth Eusebius in the .iiii. book of the eccle. history •he .xiiii. and .xv. chapters. And S. Hierom in the register of •he famous writers of the Church. Eusebius in his Chro•icis, noteth that he suffered Martyrdom in the year of •ur Lord a. C.ixx. Whereby it appeareth that he was •ade Bishop of Smyrna in the year of our Lord .lxxxiiii. •r there about. For we said even now, that he had been in ⟨p. 64⟩that ministry .lxxxvi. years. And therefore had he been Bishop of Smyrna many years before the setting forth of th• Apocalypse which was written in the .xcvii. year, would• God all Pastors would set before their eyes this good Policarpus to be followed, of whom there remaineth a not• ble Epistle to the Philippians.
After again is the author of the Epistle1 declared, which is set forth with two titles, taken out of the former visi•• of John and description of Christ. Thus saith the first and […] last. &c. Whereby is signified the eternal divinity of Christ• which wanteth beginning and ending. And of him self is • uerlasting. There is added, that he was dead, & liveth again that is to wit, hath risen from the dead. And this begin ning accordeth right well to the matter. For they perceive that whosoever are afflicted for Christ & his Gospel of m• mighty kings and princes, have a Lord and patron m• mighty and more faithful, which in no wise can be ou• come. Who can also in death keep his, like as he raised […] Christ from the dead, to the intent we might have an op•• testimony, that we shall live with Christ, even in death it se•
After againe is the authour of the Epistle1 declared, whic• is set forth with two titles, taken out of the fourmer visi•• of Iohn and descriptiō of Christ. Thus saith the first and 〈…〉 last. &c. Wherby is signified the eternall diuinitie of Christ• which wanteth beginning and ending. And of him selfe is • uerlasting. There is added, that he was dead, & liueth again• that is to witte, hath rysen from the dead. And this begi• ning accordeth right well to the matter. For they perceiu• that whosoeuer are afflicted for Christ & his Gospell of m• mightie kinges and princes, haue a Lorde and patrone m mightie and more faithfull, whiche in no wyse can be ou comen. Who can also in death kepe his, lyke as he reysed Christ from the dead, to the intent we myght haue an op testimony, that we shal liue with Christ, euen in death it se
1And now cometh he to the matter it self, and the which thing he repeateth in all Epistles, he saith here also: I kno• thy works, to wit both good and evil. Think not that […] neither know nor care for thy matters. Thou art verily ro• ten out in my hands, I know, see and care for thee and […] thine. And these things both provoke us marvellously virtue, when we know that we have God a looker on, […] hath a care of us: And also comfort us greatly, which und•• stand, how he that loveth us, and in no matter neglecte• hath us always as it were before his eyes.
1And now cometh he to the matter it selfe, and the whic• thing he repeteth in al Epistles, he sayth here also: I kno• thy workes, to witte both good and euill. Thinke not that 〈…〉 neither know nor care for thy matters. Thou art verely ro• ten out in my handes, I know, see and care for thee and 〈…〉 thine. And these thinges boeth prouoke vs maruelously vertue, when we knowe that we haue God a loker on, 〈…〉 hath a care of vs: And also comforte vs greatly, which vnd•• stande, how he that loueth vs, and in no matter neglecte• hath vs alwayes as it were before his eyes.
And here particularly he declareth what he knew: A• first in deed the afflictions,1 which verily they suffered in t•• present persecution of the Emperor Domitian. And aff••• tion is as it were a general word, to the four kinds fo• wing. For he rehearseth, touching their substance the s•• ling of their goods, and their poverty: In their name […] estimation, contumelies, reproaches, or blasphemies: In bo•• imprisonment, and bonds, yea and death also. For […] these afflictions Godly men are exercised, for the truth sa• ⟨p. 65⟩of the wicked. And in these may be comprised all other kinds of tribulation. The which the Epistle of Jesus Christ reciteth in a Godly order. There is nothing therefore of these matters which the Lord Christ knoweth not.
And here particularly he declareth what he knewe: A• first in dede the afflictions,1 which verely they suffered in t•• present persecution of the Emperour Domitian. And aff••• tion is as it were a generall worde, to the foure kindes fo• wyng. For he rehearseth, touching their substaunce the s•• ling of their goodes, and their pouertie: In their name 〈…〉 estimation, cōtumelies, reproches, or blasphemies: In bo•• imprisonment, and bondes, yea and death also. For 〈…〉 these afflictions Godly men are exercised, for the truth sa• ⟨p. 65⟩
Poverty hath the first place.1 Neither ought we to take it here spiritually for the modesty and humbleness of mind: although it be certain, that the church of Smyrna wanted not the same virtue: But there was poverty and lack of all things by reason of the spoiling of their goods. For in time of persecution, by virtue of kings proclamations, the goods of the faithful professors of Christ are confiscated to the kings use, or permitted to the soldiers, nobles, or promoters to take at their pleasure: The faithful thrust out of their houses, are either driven into exile, or go a begging: would God we wanted examples thereof at this day. Let us hereof learn to bear & suffer patiently the like chances also, being persuaded that God knoweth our necessity. And because it is an hard thing •or an honest man to hunger and want with his family, for a comfort and consolation he addeth, but thou art rich.
Pouertie hath the first place.1 Neither ought we to take it here spiritually for the modestie and humblenes of mynde: although it be certaine, that the churche of Smyrna wanted not the same vertue: But there was pouertie and lacke of all things by reason of the spoiling of their goodes. For in time of persecution, by vertue of kings proclamatiōs, the goodes of the faithful professours of Christ ar cōfiscated to the kings vse, or permitted to ye soldiours, nobles, or promoters to take at their pleasure: The faithful thrust out of their houses, ar either driuen into exile, or go a begging: would God we wanted examples therof at this day. Let vs herof learne to beare & suffer paciently the like chaunces also, being perswaded that God knoweth our necessitie. And because it is an hard thing •or an honest man to honger and want with his familie, for a •omfort and consolation he addeth, but thou art riche.
This to the world seemeth a paradox, or incredible.1 What will they say, is he rich that hath nothing, and is brought •o the state of beggars? There be doubtless goods and riches of the mind much better than corporal substance.
This to the world semeth a paradoxe, or incredible.1 What wyll they say, is he ryche that hath nothyng, and is brought •o the state of beggars? There be doubtles goodes and ry•hes of the mynde muche better than corporall substaunce.
For this may be had, without the true felicity, of rich men •f this world, that live a most miserable life. Again you •hall see a poor man, concerning worldly goods, but fur•ished with the richesse of the mind, for this cause only to •e happy and most blessed. He coveteth nothing, he is con•ent with his vocation: Neither would he change his state with most wealthy and rich kings. Contrariwise you •hall see rich men but of an evil conscience, and therefore thoughtful and burdened with cares, and never merry. You •hall see poor men, but with merry hearts to lead a joyful ••fe. Why than should it seem marvel, if he that is spoiled of his worldly goods for Christ, and enriched with the •iftes of the mind, is glad and rejoiceth in God, and taketh a good part all chances, and for the same cause is judged •o be verily rich? Doubtless the wise men of this world •we also, that the only wise man is truly rich. Which is ⟨p. 66⟩gallantly discoursed of Cicero. Aretas saith, in spiritual matters having a treasure hid in the field of thy heart, which is Christ, by reason of whom thou art rich also: Sinn• thou hast him thy protector, who also when he was rich, for us became poor. &c.
For this may be had, without the true felicitie, of ryche men •f this worlde, that liue a moste miserable lyfe. Agayne you •hall see a poore man, concerning worldly goodes, but fur•ished with the rychesse of the mynde, for this cause only to •e happy and moste blessed. He coueteth nothyng, he is con•ent with his vocation: Neither would he chaunge his state with moste welthie and ryche kynges. Contrariwyse you hall see ryche men but of an euyll conscience, and therfore houghtfull and burthened with cares, and neuer mery. You hall see poore men, but with mery hartes to leade a ioyfull fe. Why than shoulde it seme maruell, yf he that is spoyed of his worldly goodes for Christe, and inriched with the iftes of the minde, is glad and reioyseth in God, and taketh a good parte al chaunces, and for the same cause is iudged o be verely ryche? Doubtles the wyse men of this worlde we also, that the only wyse man is trewly ryche. Which is
1In the second place is recited blasphemy, by the which we understand all manner of railings and slanders, whe• by the name and estimation of the faithful is hurt. Of th• which sort are these: They be heretics and Schismatic• so many as be favourers of this religion: They be wicke• people, despisers of God and his saints, the enemies of […] Gods service, and therefore the plagues of the common wealth which if they be suffered, the common wealth must needs […] destroyed. And these things in deed many times vex go• men more grievously, than the loss of their goods. For w• will not set more by a good name, than by great ryche• Therefore the Lord in Gospel of S. Math. the .10. Chapt• With many words healeth this disease: And exhorteth […] that for the avoiding of that infamy, they should commit• thing unworthy the name of christians.
1In the second place is recited blasphemie, by the which• we vnderstande all maner of raylinges and sclaūders, whe• by the name and estimation of the faithfull is hurte. Of th• whiche sorte are these: They be heretickes and Schismatic• so many as be fauourers of this religion: They be wicke• people, dispisers of God and his saintes, the ennemies of 〈…〉 Gods seruice, and therfore the plages of the commō wealt• which if they be suffered, the common wealth must nedes 〈…〉 distroyed. And these thinges in dede many times vexe go• men more greuously, than the losse of their goodes. For w wyll not set more by a good name, than by great ryche Therfore the Lorde in Gospell of S. Math. the .10. Chapt With many wordes healeth this disease: And exhorteth that for the auoyding of that infamie, they should cōmit thing vnworthy the name of christians.
1In the mean time he declareth also, what moved the • thours of this mischief, whom he blameth also exceeding to the intent that the godly should understand, how greatly th• enemies of all Godliness are of God misliked: And the• might also care the less for their hatred and persecution. T• say in deed, that they be Jews, where they be nothing […] Thus also S. Paul handled the Jews in the .ii. to the • mains. The Jews are called confessors, honourers, and faithful servants of God. But these blaspheme Gods na• they impugn the true faith, and oppress them that prof• and worship God. Therefore be they not Jews. W• than? The Synagogue, congregation or assembly of Sa•• Thus the very Son of God plucketh of the viserne fr•• these varlets, to the comfort of all those that suffer pe• cution, of them that set forth them selves with stout titles the end it should never grieve them, that they are condem• of such harlots, the children of the Devil. Christ att•• teth to them the true title, and calleth them not the o•• holy, and catholic Church of God, but the conspir•• ⟨p. 67⟩and school of Satan, as in whom, not the spirit of God, but of Satan, inspireth lies, jugglings, deceits, blasphemies, fires and deaths. Therefore let it not grieve thee at this day, •n case it be thy fortune to be condemned for the Gospel, of those that call them selves most holy, most shining, most reverent, and most irreprehensible Prelates and Patrons of the old church, religion, and catholic faith, which have on their side, counsels, fathers, so many successions of Bishops, the prescript of so long time, and consent of so many Realms. They be nothing less than that they desire to be called: But rather the champions of Antichrist, and the professed enemies, and treaders under feet of all christen piety. For whom is prepared everlasting destruction.
First is shewed, vnto whom this heauenly letter is sent,1 to the Pastour of the churche of Smyrna, and to the whole flocke. For the captayne is sayd to haue soughten or fled, or to haue taken peace, when the whole armie together with him hath done this. And the stories beare witnes that Policarpus was that same messenger or pastour of the church of Smyrna, ordeined of the Apostles thē selues,2 namely of S. Iohn, Byshop there, and that he liued in the misterie of this congregation .lxxxvi. yeares. For so many he accompteth hym selfe before the Lieftenaunt Herode, what tyme he was brought to execution. For in the fourth persecution of the churche, Aurelius Antoninus, and Aurelius Comodus, being Emperoures, he was taken and brought to the gouernour: And at length for the open and sincere confessinge of Christ he was burnt. He had this very muche in his mouth: That nothing ought to be receiued for true, vnlesse it were knowen to be set forth by the Apostles. Ireneus affirmeth that when he was a childe he sawe this olde father a man of great yeares and reuerēce, in the third boke and third chapt. against heresies, where he telleth many thinges of him besides. As also doth Eusebius in the .iiii. boke of theccle. history •he .xiiii. and .xv. chapters. And S. Hierom in the register of •he famouse wryters of the Churche. Eusebius in his Chro•icis, noteth that he suffered Martyrdome in the yeare of •ur Lorde a. C.ixx. Whereby it appeareth that he was •ade Byshop of Smyrna in the yeare of our Lorde .lxxxiiii. •r there about. For we sayd euen nowe, that he had bene in ⟨p. 64⟩that ministerie .lxxxvi. yeares. And therfore had he bene Byshop of Smyrna many yeares before the setting forth of th• Apocalipse whiche was written in the .xcvii. yeare, would• God all Pastours would set before their eies this good Policarpus to be followed, of whome there remayneth a not• ble Epistle to the Philippians.
1In the meane tyme he declareth also, what moued the • thours of this mischief, whome he blameth also exceadyn• to thintent that ye godly shuld vnderstād, how greatly th• ennemies of all Godlines are of God misliked: And the• might also care the lesse for their hatred and persecutiō. T• saye in dede, that they be Iewes, where they be nothing 〈…〉 Thus also S. Paul handled the Iewes in the .ii. to the • mains. The Iewes are called confessours, honorers, and faithful seruaūts of God. But these blaspheme Gods na• they impugne the true faith, and oppresse them that prof• and worshyppe God. Therfore be they not Iewes. W• than? The Synagoge, congregation or assemblee of Sa•• Thus the very sonne of God plucketh of the viserne fr•• these varlettes, to the comforte of all those that suffer pe• cution, of them that set forth them selues with stoute titles the ende it shuld neuer greue them, that they are condem• of suche harlottes, the children of the Deuill. Christ att•• teth to them the true title, and calleth them not the o•• holy, and catholicke Churche of God, but the conspir•• ⟨p. 67⟩and schole of Sathan, as in whome, not the spirite of God, but of Sathan, inspireth lyes, iuggelinges, disceiptes, blasphemies, fyres and deathes. Therfore let it not greue thee at this daye, •n case it be thy fortune to be condemned for the Gospell, of those that call them selues moste holy, moste shining, moste reuerent, and most irreprehensible Prelates and Patrones of the olde churche, religion, and catholique faith, whiche haue on their syde, counselles, fathers, so many successions of Bishoppes, the prescript of so long time, and consent of so many Realmes. They be nothynge lesse than that they desyre to be called: But rather the champions of Antichriste, and the professed ennemies, and treaders vnder feete of all christen pietie. For whome is prepared euerlasting destruction.
