B11837:54
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.
For it behoveth chiefly the saints, to have known these things, that in the very perils and afflictions, they may remember this godly admonition, and bear in mind, that the Lord hath told before,1 of the things that they now suffer, who ruleth & governeth all things, finally who can and will deliver them from all these evils, when, how, and as much as he of his good will shall see it good. First therefore he propoundeth again, generally the parts of this conflict or strife, a woman clothed with the sun, crowned, travelling, which is a figure of the faithful church: he setteth against her a most fierce and cruel enemy, I say the great dragon, Red, with seven heads, &c. A figure doubtless of that old serpent, the Devil. After are set forth their attempts, nature, force and conflicts or fight.2 And here again for a con forte it is expressed the victory of Christ the head, and of the church, and members of the same. Afterward the Lord by John, rehearseth, severally in the vision, the special instruments or members of the dragon, by the which he assaulteth, and most cruelly vexeth,3 and wearieth the church. And these instruments are, the beast with seven heads and ten horns, and the beast with two horns, that is, the empire and false prophet, and the image of the empire.4 These things he painteth out after the Imitation of Daniel so lively, and (as it is said) with their own colours, in the .xiii. and .xvii. Chap, that no man can choose but feel, and much more perceive, of whom he speaketh: verily of the old Roman Empire, and of Papistry. He calleth beasts after the imitation of Daniel, cruel kingdoms or empires. And the thing it self declareth, that our very Lord Jesus Christ, the head and king of all Saints, suffered and was crucified under Ponce Pilate, governor of Jewry, but sent thither from Rome, and governing allthings in the name of The emperor Tiberius. Again, every man knoweth that the first persecution against the Christians, was stirred up by Nero Emperor of Rome. The second by Flavius Domitian Emperor of Rome, which entrapped also the Author of this work. And after this we read of eight other persecutions or mo stirred up by the residue of Roman Emperors, against the faithful spouse of Christ by the which she was cruelly rent in peaces and trodden under foot.