B11837:503
A hundred sermons upo[n] the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ revealed in deed by the angel…A hundred sermons vpo[n] the Apocalips of Iesu Christe reueiled in dede by thangell…
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.
In the first part of this epistle the Lord commendeth many things in the church of Pergamos,1 in the second part he will reprehend a few. And he sayeth a few things, not that the error, of the Nicolaitans is a light offence, but that the sin is in others rather, than in the true Church it self: to wit in them, which notwithstanding that they were not of the body of the church in deed, yet did they join with the church outwardly, and would be taken for members of the same. After he speaketh modestly, least by exasperating over much the sin and error in the faithful, he should trouble their minds and discourage them utterly. There is a measure in all things, as the common saying is. And if in a Church so commendable, there is found of Christ that is thought worthy reprehension, what shall we say of those that be less commendable?2 yea why should we not see in all churches always some thing to be found, that may be blamed: not so much for that the Saints are always troubled with the infirmity of the flesh, as that ever more hypocrites and corrupt persons join them selves to the church of God: such as were here the Nicolaitans, and as Judas the thief and traitor was in the number of Apostles. In Christ the church is without any spot or wrinkle as the Lord sayeth in the 13. of John. And in the country to come shall most fully be made perfect: which S. Austen also affirmeth.
In the first parte of this epistle the Lorde cōmendeth many thinges in the church of Pergamos,1 in the seconde parte he will reprehende a fewe. And he sayeth a fewe thinges, not that the errour, of the Nicolaitans is a light offence, but that the sinne is in others rather, than in the trewe Church it self: to witte in them, whiche notwithstandinge that they were not of the bodye of the churche in dede, yet did they ioyne with the churche outwardely, and would be taken for membres of the same. After he speaketh modestly, least by exasperatinge ouer muche the sinne and errour in the faithfull, he shoulde trouble theyr mindes and discourage them vtterly. There is a measure in al thinges, as the common saiynge is. And if in a Churche so commendable, there is founde of Christ that is thought woorthie reprehension, what shall we saye of those that be lesse commendable?