B11837:585
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.
1Last he addeth, which hath the key of David. I spake of the key in the first chapter. He alludeth to the 22. Chapt. of Isaiah. Whereby is signified the divine & almighty power of Christ, by the which he bringeth us purified into the kingdom of heaven: which work verily neither devils, nor any power can let. The same casteth down the unclean into hell, neither is there that can deliver or differ the same. He sayeth therefore aptly and expressly, he hath, not had or shall have, but he hath now. For he alone hath this power, which he communicateth with no man else. The Pope of Rome lieth, which sayeth that he hath this power. The only son of God excelleth in this prerogative.2 The apostles as ministers and preachers, have received the keys of knowledge and of utterance, of learning, instruction and introduction, by the which also in threatening they exclude infidels out of the kingdom of God, bind them in their sins: almighty God which hath the high power ratifying the judgement of the minister, which he pronounced not of him self, but of Christs words. But these things agree right well with those that follow of the opened door, which no man can shut, and so to the whole matter.
1Laste he addeth, whiche hath the keye of Dauid. I spake of the keye in the firste chapter. He alludeth to the 22. Chapt. of Esaye. Wherby is signified the diuine & almightie power of Christ, by the which he bringeth vs purified into the kingdome of heauen: whiche worke verely nother deuilles, nor any power can let. The same casteth doune the vncleane into hel, nother is there that can deliuer or differ the same. He sayeth therfore aptely and expressely, he hath, not had or shal haue, but he hath now. For he alone hath this power, which he cōmunicateth with no man els. The Pope of Rome lieth, whiche sayeth that he hathe this power. The only sonne of God excelleth in this prerogatiue.2 Thapostles as ministers and preachers, haue receyued the keyes of knoweledge and of vtteraunce, of learning, instruction and introduction, by the whiche also in threatening they exclude infidels out of the kingdome of God, binde them in their sinnes: almightie God whiche hath the highe power ratifiyng the iudgement of the minister, whiche he pronounced not of him self, but of Christes wordes. But these thinges agree righte well with those that follow of the opened dore, which no man can shut, and so to the whole matter.
For now the Lord proceedeth to tell, what he would: And as he hath said in all epistles, he repeateth in this also, that he knoweth all things of this and of all other congregations.
For now the Lorde procedeth to tell, what he would: And as he hathe sayed in all epistles, he repeteth in this also, that he knoweth al things of this and of al other congregations.
And he commendeth so the perseverance in faith in this congregation,1 that he signifieth with all, that the same also did proceed of the grace of Christ. Thou haste, sayeth he, little ⟨p. 113⟩power, and as it were no force and strength, which this world regardeth, as power, riches, worldly wisdom, lucky success, plenty of friends, and such other like things. Therefore thou canst attribute nothing to thy self, nothing to thine own strength, not so much as this that thou art a church, & that the verity of the gospel is freely preached with thee.2 For I set open this door. And by my strength I keep open the same, that no man can shut the same door: to wit the preaching and grace ones granted, by any means to prohibit, let, or take away. To open the door, is a common phrase of speaking, used of the apostle, in the 1. to the Corinth. 16. and the 2. Corinth. the 2. He openeth the door, which giveth an occasion, and prepareth the way to enter in. By the word therefore was opened the door of life. The faithful might enter in: the infidels could not stop this way. For the hand of Christ held the door open. And these things in deed do declare,3 whereof it is that in cities, towns, and villages not greatly furnished with any force or power, the course of the gospel proceedeth with so lucky success: And where many go about by laying wait, crafts and policies, threatenings and persecutions to shut the door, they can not. These things are not done through our cunning & wisdom, but of the grace of God.
And he commendeth so the perseueraunce in faithe in this congregation,1 that he signifieth with all, that the same also did procede of the grace of Christ. Thou haste, sayeth he, litle ⟨p. 113⟩power, and as it were no force and strēgth, which this world regardeth, as power, riches, wordly wisedom, lucky successe, plentie of frendes, and such other like things. Therfore thou canste attribute nothing to thy selfe, nothinge to thine owne strength, not so much as this that thou arte a churche, & that the veritie of the gospell is freely preached with thee.
Howbeit if any man list to understand those things and such as follow hereafter peculiarly of the pastor or bishop of the church, I will not be against it. For where he was humble, and instruct with no worldly wisdom, yet furnished with God his grace, he opened the way of salvation, which now they could not shut up, as many as sought to abrogate the preaching of the gospel. The virtue of Christ kept him.
Howbeit if any man list to vnderstand those thinges and such as follow herafter peculiarly of the pastour or bishop of the church, I wil not be against it. For where he was hūble, and instruct with no worldly wisedome, yet furnished with God his grace, he opened the waye of saluation, which now they coulde not shut vp, as many as soughte to abrogate the preaching of the gospel. The vertue of Christ kept him.
And now more expressly he preacheth or commendeth the faithful constancy in faith of the pastor & congregation:1 Thou hast kept, sayeth he, my word, and hast not denied my name. When the Lord opened the door, lighted the candle, & gave heavenly gifts, the pastor with the congregation received them, and received kept them, and so kept denied them not, neither trod them under foot. This is an excellent praise. Would God there were many such churches found at this day. Here mayest thou learn also, O thou church of Christ, here may you learn all and singular, what is the duty of ⟨p. 114⟩pastors, of the church, and of all and singular godly men and women. Thy merit was none at all, God of his grace shone unto thee. Thy worthiness was non, thy desert, power nor authority: Christ of his mercy hath revealed him self unto thee. Embrace him therefore that offereth him self to thee, hold fast and never at any time let him go. &c.
And nowe more expressely he preacheth or cōmendeth the faithfull constauncie in faithe of the pastour & congregation:1 Thou hast kept, saieth he, my worde, and hast not denied my name. When the Lorde opened the dore, lighted the candel, & gaue heauenly giftes, the pastour with the congregation receiued them, and receiued kepte thē, and so kept denied them not, nother trode thē vnder foote. This is an excellent praise. Would God there were many such churches founde at this daie. Here mayest thou learne also, O thou church of Christ, here maye you learne all and singular, what is the duty of ⟨p. 114⟩pastours, of the churche, and of all and singular godly men and women. Thy merite was none at all, God of his grace shone vnto thee. Thy worthines was non, thy desert, power nor authoritie: Christe of his mercy hath reuealed him selfe vnto thee. Imbrace him therefore that offereth him selfe to thee, holde fast and neuer at any time let him go. &c.
1And note that the Lord sayeth, my word, not every mans word, but mine. What the word of Christ is, it is known to all men. For that which is written in the Gospel, and first in deed by the Prophets, and after by the Apostles was set forth in holy writ, is the word of christ. It is not Christs word that striveth with the same, although it be set forth by Counsels and holy fathers. Christ doeth not acknowledge that word: he acknowledgeth his for his own. And this must be observed and kept. The word of Christ is observed, what time it is not corrupted with additions,2 detractions, and wrastinges, but in case it be kept sincere in his natural sense. It is not kept, when it is corrupted or depraved with mens inventions, and perverse interpretations. The word of Christ is kept, when it is commended not with the mouth alone, but is also expressed with godly works in the whole life, & beautified with holiness. It is not observed, when with out repentance men live most filthily. Finally the word of Christ is observed & kept, when it is not with any loathsomeness of ours or impatience cast away, denied & forsaken. And therefore he answereth incontinently, and thou hast not denied my name. I have spoken else where largely of confessing and denying of Christs name. These things verily did the Philadelphians, & with these virtues through faith pleased the lord. By these also may we commend our selves to our Saviour.
1And note that the Lord sayeth, my worde, not euery mans worde, but mine. What the worde of Christ is, it is knowen to al men. For that which is written in the Gospel, and first in dede by the Prophetes, and after by the Apostles was set forth in holy writte, is the worde of christ. It is not Christes worde that striueth with the same, although it be set forth by Counsels and holy fathers. Christe doeth not acknowledge that worde: he acknowledgeth his for his owne. And this must be obserued and kept. The word of Christ is obserued, what time it is not corrupted with additions,2 detractions, and wrastinges, but in case it be kepte sincere in his naturall sense. It is not kepte, when it is corrupted or depraued with mens inuentions, and peruerse interpretations. The worde of Christ is kepte, when it is cōmended not with the mouth alone, but is also expressed with godly workes in the whole life, & beautified with holines. It is not obserued, when with out repentaunce men liue most filthily. Finally the word of Christ is obserued & kept, when it is not with any lothesomnesse of ours or impatiēce cast awaye, denied & forsaken. And therfore he annereth incōtinently, and thou hast not denied my name. I haue spoken els where largely of confessing and deniyng of Christes name. These things verely did the Philadelphiās, & with these vertues through faith pleased ye lord. By these also maye we cōmende our selues to our Sauiour.
1Furthermore the Lord showeth, with how great a reward he would honour that constancy of the godly in faith. Ye have now, sayeth he, many enemies by reason of your pure religion: but in case ye thus hold one, I will cause that those same enemies shall become your friends, and finally fellows of your religion: In so much that they that have hitherto condemned you for wicked doers and heretics, shall come unto you with great humility, to axe you forgiveness, ready to receive your religion, & to worship him whom they have ⟨p. 115⟩blasphemed. And they shall come in most humble wise, and with the greatest humility that may be. For so said Isaiah before that it should so come to pass in 49. chap. whereunto the Lord alluded at this present.
1Furthermore the Lord sheweth, with how great a reward he would honour that constauncie of the godly in faithe. Ye haue nowe, sayeth he, many enemies by reason of your pure religion: but in case ye thus holde one, I wil cause that those same enemies shal become your frēdes, and finally fellowes of your religion: In so muche that they that haue hitherto condemned you for wicked doers and heretikes, shal come vnto you with great humilitie, to axe you forgeuenes, ready to receiue your religion, & to worship him whome they haue ⟨p. 115⟩blasphemed. And they shall come in moste humble wise, and with the greatest humilitie that maye be. For so sayed Esaye before that it shoulde so come to passe in 49. chap. wherunto the Lord alluded at this present.
In the mean season he toucheth the Jews the singular enemies of the saith,1 whom he calleth the Synagogue of Satan. For their teacher was none other but the Devil, as in deed they have no better at this day. He calleth them false Jews and liars. For neither they confessed the Lord, nor glorified god, nor believed in Christ their Messiah. But they that are Jews in deed, be not such: as the Apostle S. Paul said in the 2. Chapter to the Romans. The power of God con strained many of them, forsaking their Jewishness, to go to the Christen religion.
In the meane season he toucheth the Iewes the singular enemies of the sayth,1 whom he calleth the Sinagoge of Sathan. For their teacher was none other but the Deuill, as in dede they haue no better at this daye. He calleth them false Iewes and liars. For neyther they confessed the Lorde, nor glorified god, nor beleued in Christ their Messias. But they that are Iewes in dede, be not suche: as the Apostle S. Paull saied in the 2. Chapter to the Romans. The power of God cō streyned many of them, forsaking their Iewishenesse, to goe to the Christen religion.
Therefore if we covet or go about to retain also in our Churches the pure word of God,1 & to receive our enemies humble, we shall not attain to these things by wars or wrongs, by railing and opprobrious words, but by constant faith. But if either we profess our faith not purely, or beautify not the same with virtues, what marvel is it, though enemies abide enemies still, and continue to hate us every day more heinously than other, and at length oppress us, and extinguish the light of God his word with many? let us learn dear brethren, by godliness, constancy and holiness to win our brethren. The Lord Jesus grant us his grace to perform the same.
Therefore if we couet or goe about to reteyne also in our Churches the pure worde of God,1 & to receiue our enemies humble, we shall not atteyne to these thinges by warres or wronges, by raylyng and approbriouse wordes, but by constaunte faith. But if eyther we professe our faith not purely, or beautifie not the same with vertues, what maruell is it, though enemies abide enemies still, and continewe to hate vs euery daie more haynously than other, and at length oppresse vs, and extinguishe the lighte of God his worde with many? let vs learne dere bretherne, by godlynes, constancie and holines to winne our bretherne. The Lord Iesus graunt vs his grace to perfourme the same.
And they shall know, that I have loved thee: because thou hast kept the words of my patience: therefore will I keep thee from the hour of temptation, which will come upon all the world, to tempt them ⟨p. 116⟩that dwell upon the earth behold I come shortly. Hold fast that thou hast that no man take away thy crown.
ANd they shall knowe, that I haue loued thee: because thou hast kept the wordes of my patience: therefore will I kepe thee from the houre of temptacion, whiche wil come vpon all the worlde, to tempte them ⟨p. 116⟩that dwell vpon the earthe beholde I come shortely. Holde fast that thou hast that nomā take awaye thy crowne.
1An excellent virtue is commended in the congregation of Philadelphia, that they have kept the word of Christ, not every word, but the word of Christ, and have not denied it. And he hath begun to rehearse most large rewards, which both he hath given to this church, and is also ready to give to any other like in the zeal of godly religion. For we are allured by rewards.
1An excellent vertue is commended in the congregation of Philadelphia, that they haue kepte the worde of Christ, not euery worde, but the worde of Christe, and haue not denied it. And he hath begonne to rehearse moste large rewardes, whiche bothe he hath geuen to this church, and is also ready to geue to any other like in the zeale of godly religion. For we are allured by rewardes.
1First I will convert, sayeth he, thine enemies, that they may be made thy friends & brethren, that coming into the congregation, they may worship Christ, whom they have blasphemed hitherto, yea that they shall submit them selves hum bly & lowly: As we read of S. Paul, which in the 15. chapt. of the 1. epistle to the Corinthians sayeth that he is unworthy to be called an Apostle. &c. And this is a wonderful benefit. For God is glorified by such as are converted, & the trueth is set forth, lying and superstition are confounded. Whereof the Saints can not but be exceedingly glad. The faithful also are delivered out of the Devils claws, and are saved.
1Firste I will conuerte, sayeth he, thine enemies, that they may be made thy frendes & bretherne, that cōming into the congregation, they maye worship Christ, whome they haue blasphemed hitherto, yea yt they shal submit them selues hū bly & lowely: As we reade of S. Paull, which in the 15. chapt. of the 1. epistle to the Corinthians sayeth that he is vnworthie to be called an Apostle. &c. And this is a wonderfull benefite. For God is glorified by such as are cōuerted, & the trueth is set forth, liyng and superstition are confounded. Wherof the Sainctes can not but be exceadingly glad. The faythful also are deliuered out of the Deuils clawes, and are saued.
1Than followeth an other benefit of God. The enemies of God shall know & find, that the church, and every member of the same be the well beloved children of God. The enemies of the church suppose, the faithful to be wicked, gods enemies, heretics, church robbers, hated of god, & unworthy to live. But they shall understand that nothing is dearer to God than the church, as for the which he gave his son, which he chose also for his spouse, and hath made partaker of his kingdom.
1Than followeth an other benefite of God. Thenemies of God shal know & finde, that the church, and euery mēbre of the same be the wel beloued children of God. Thenemies of the church suppose, the faithful to be wicked, gods enemies, heretikes, churchrobbers, hated of god, & vnworthy to liue. But they shal vnderstand that nothing is derer to God than the church, as for ye which he gaue his sonne, which he chose also for his spouse, and hath made pertaker of his kingdome.
1But of this love of God, whereby he, provoked by no deserts of ours, but of his only grace & native goodness hath joined him self to the church, all virtues do proceed: That chiefly which immediately followeth, that the church hath kept the word of patience. The same John in his canonical epistle: not that we, sayeth he, have loved God, but that he hath loved us &c. Therefore where the observation of the word of patience is annexed as the cause of love, it must be religiously expounded, that the favour of god, & all our gifts be verily of ⟨p. 117⟩grace, but yet that he of the same grace doeth as it were requite and reward us for our pains. Whereof the Saints are not proud, but humbly acknowledge and preach grace every where and in all things.
1But of this loue of God, wherby he, prouoked by no desertes of ours, but of his only grace & natiue goodnes hathe ioyned him selfe to the churche, al vertues doe procede: That chiefly which immediatly followeth, yt the church hath kept the worde of patiēce. The same Iohn in his canonical epistle: not that we, sayeth he, haue loued God, but yt he hath loued vs &c. Therfore where the obseruation of the worde of patience is annexed as the cause of loue, it muste be religiousely expoūded, that the fauour of god, & al our giftes be verely of ⟨p. 117⟩grace, but yet that he of the same grace doeth as it were requite and rewarde vs for our paynes. Wherof the Sainctes are not proude, but humbly acknowledge and preache grace euery where and in al thinges.
Again he commendeth the perseverance of the faithful in the true religion. Thou hast kept, sayeth he,1 the word of my patience. The word of patience is the Gospel of eternal salvation: which is otherwise called of S. Paul the word of the cross, and that for two considerations. First for because he describeth the cross and patience of Christ whereby we are saved. And again he persuadeth us also to bear the cross, and patiently to suffer with Christ, Matth. 16.2. Timoth. 2. Neither must any man look for any perseverance of him that is impatient. The Lord sayeth in the 12. of Luke, in your patience you shall possess your souls. Therefore hath either the pastor or the church of Philadelphia kept the word of patience, to wit in retaining in their hearts the patience of Christ through faith, and in showing patience in words or sayings, and sustaining much travel in body. Which in deed is the best way to keep churches safe and sound, and every one of the faithful. Let them keep, I say, the word of Christ his patience, and the rest commit to the Lord.
Agayne he cōmendeth the perseueraunce of the faithfull in the true religion. Thou hast kept, sayeth he,1 the worde of my patience. The worde of patience is the Gospel of eternal saluation: whiche is otherwise called of S. Paull the worde of the crosse, and that for two considerations. First for bicause he describeth the crosse and patience of Christe wherby we are saued. And again he perswadeth vs also to beare ye crosse, and patiently to suffer with Christe, Matth. 16.2. Timoth. 2. Neyther muste any man loke for any perseueraunce of him that is impatient. The Lord sayeth in the 12. of Luke, in your patience you shal possesse your soules. Therfore hath eyther the pastour or the church of Philadelphia kept the worde of patience, to witte in reteyning in their hartes the patience of Christ through fayth, and in shewyng patience in wordes or saiynges, and susteyning muche trauel in body. Whiche in dede is the beste waye to kepe churches safe and sounde, and euery one of the faythful. Let them kepe, I saye, the worde of Christe his patience, and the rest commit to the Lord.
