Of the End of the World and Judgment of our Lord Jesus Christ, Sermon 2
¶THE SECOND Sermon of Henry Bullinger, teaching by the woords of the Apoſtle. 2. Timothe 3. after what ſorte the godly may auoid the harms of the moſte perillous daungers in this our laſt age.
RIght notable is the place of the Apoſtle Paule, which in the latter epiſtle to Timothe, and the third Chapter is woord by woord after this ſort.
But perſeuer thou in thoſe things, which thou haſt learned, and vvhichwhich hauehave been committed vntounto thee, knowing of vvhom thou haſt learned them, and for that alſo thou haſt knowen holy Scriptures from a childe, vvhichwhich are able to make thee vviſe vntounto ſaluation through faith in Chriſte Ieſu. For all Scriptures giuen by inſpiratiō of God: are profitable to teach, to reprooue, to amend to inſtruct in rightuouſneſſe, that the mā of God may be perfet, preparad to all good vvorks.
The Scriptures ſet foorth euen to our eyesThe bountiful goodnes of God, toward mankinde ſhineth foorth in many things, but moſte chéefly in that, that he hath ſo meaſured the doctrin of our ſaluation, which he committed to the world, by moſte excellent men, that it is agréeable not onelyonly to the ſame time, in which it was firſt ſet foorth by the prophets and Apoſtles: but vntounto vsus alſo, vppon whom the ends of the worlde are come. And truely all the moſte holy cumpany of the Prophets and Apoſtles with one conſent doo teſtifie, that the laſt times ſhalbe of all other moſte perillus. They doo moſte diligently and copiouſly, not onelyonly deſcribe thoſe daungers: but alſo ſet them foorth before our eyes to be ſeene, to that end (no dout) that the godly ſhould not be entangled and periſh in euil and in perils.
The argument and drift of the matter.Of that number is Paule the veſſel of election, who at this preſent, procéeding in moſte godly order, dooth firſt of all very diligently ſhowe foorth the daungers of this our laſt age. Afterward hée declareth a remedy, wherby the godly may eſcape the harmes therof. The thing is not onelyonly elegant, notable and wholeſome: but alſo very neceſſary, moſte chéefly for vsus and our time.
Therfore hauehave I choſen this place, to entreat of now, before you (ye honorable fathers and bretheren moſte déerly beloued in our Lord) that beeing inſtructed with the doctrin of the Apoſtles: we may through the ſpirite of God, be ſtrengthened in true godlineſſe, and he able to deliuer out of daungers, the flock of our Lord committed to our charge, the Lord bleſſing our labours. Our Lord aſſiſt vsus with his grace, and direct vsus alwaies in the way of ſaluation.
But,The deſcription of the euil acts & daungers recited in the Scriptures. like as the Phiſitions in their books doo moſte diligently deſcribe euen ſuch diſeaſes, as are moſte filthy, not to the intent to praiſe and commend them, or els allow them: but to th'nd they may be exactly knowne, and the more perfectly cured: ſo the Scripture in this preſent place, & infinite others, doth moſte manifeſtly reherſe miſcheuous deeds euen ſuch as are to be abhorred, and not to be named without ſir reuerence, not to the intent to teach and commend the ſame: but to the end wee might knowe them the better, & iudge therof, not according to the fleſh: but according to the ſpirite of God, and alſo that we might warely auoid them. And more ouer apparently beholding, thoſe things to be fulfilled in the world, which the holy Prophets of God and the Apoſtles of Chriſte hauehave foretolde ſhould come to paſſe, we might vnderſtand, that thoſe times are now at hand corrupted and perillous, and for that cauſe ſhould pray the more erneſtly, and watch the more diligently.
The Apoſtle therfore about the beginning of the Chapter, a litle before the words that I hauehave reſited, dooth reherſe in a lōg beadroll, diuers wicked acts and wicked men, And ſaith that all ages, all kindes, and all degrees of men in this our laſt time, ſhall be moſte corrupt.
The diſcrption of the manners or men of the laſt age.This knovve thou (ſaith he) that in the laſt daies shall come moſte hard and perillous times. For men shalbe loouers of them ſelues, ſtanding greatly in their ovvne conceits, and ſeeking for their owne gaine, louers of their owne gaine, louers of money, ſcraping the ſame by hook and by crooke, & not refraining from very ſacriledge, nor from moſte filthy Simony. Men shalbe very diſdainful, puffed vp, proude, and vain glorious, alſo blaſphemers, moſte cheefly againſt God, ſecondly againſt holy men and againſt the trueth it felt, and againſt holy things. They shalbe diſobedient to their Fathers, to their mothers, to their magiſtrats, to their maiſters, and to their teachers, beeing not onelyonly vnthankful to God and to men: but alſo requiting good turnes vvith euil. They shalbe vvicked men, ſuch as hauehave no fear nor reuerence, and ſuch as impudētly run hedlōg vntounto all kind of miſcheuoꝰ acts. They shalbe Aſtorgoi, vvithout any harty and feruent charitie, vvithout any zelus remorſe of louelove, godlines, and humanitie, not louing ſomuch as thoſe that be neer vntounto thē, as Fathers, mothers, Children, VViues and kinſfolkes. But bitter, cruel, and vngentle, endued vtterly vvith vvilde and vnciuil manners, vvho alſo hauehave not the common ſence and remorſe of nature, meaſuring all things by affection, by couetouſnes, by ambition, and greedy deſire.
They shalbe vnmindeful of their couenāts, of their faith, of their bargaines, and of their promiſes, beeing vnfaithful and moſte vain, and vtterly inconſtant and moſte light perſons, finally, back biters and ſlanderers, ſcoffers and mockers of holy, good & honeſt thīgs, peruerting alſo things vvel ſpoken into a peruerſt meaning, and vvreſting things after their levvd affections, that are ſingly and plainly vttered. They shalbe vvanton and outragious, namely in the apparel of their bodies, in buildings, in garments, in meat and drink, filthy gluttōs, drounckerds whoremongers, adulterers, and Sodomits, proud Pecoks, nice and folish Phrigians.
They shalbe moreouer Anemeroi, vngentle, vnciuil, rude, barbarous, and euen vvilde men, rowe wild vndfihiſch lijt. & therfore Aphilagathoj ſuch as greatly regard not or looue not good and honeſt men, neither delight in their company. For, as they abhorre the beſt things and accuſtome themſelues to the vvorſt: ſo they cannot abide a faithful Counceller. Therfore they shall betray theſe men, that looue trueth and godlines. They shall doo no thing ſincerely and vncorruptly, but shall intangle all things vvith practiſes (as they call them) vvith crafty fetches and traitorly ſuttleties. Moreouer they shalbe heddy and vvilful, dooing nothing by the rule of reaſon and iudgement, but all things rashly ſtoutly, and obſtinately. For they shalbe of a minde altogither proud, puffed vp and ſvvelling. They shall looue their pleaſures, more then God him ſelf and godly things. For they shall conuert the very religion in to gaine, to the intent they may hauehave to beſtovve vppō their pleaſure.
Certes, thou maiſt ſée very many, that more hartily delight in Tauernes then in Temples, doo more eſtéeme the furniſhed daintie, yea drunken feaſts, then eccleſiaſticall preachings ſober and ful of the ſpirite of God. For the matter is now come to this point, that moſte men hauehave in déede an outward ſhewe and reſemblance of godlineſſe, and will be called moſte holy, moſte ſpirituall, moſte catholike, moſte right belonging, and very good Chriſtians, but yet in the mean ſeaſon they lack the vertue and power of godlines and true Religion, and are moſte vaine Hipocrites and diſſemblers, men without all religion and humanitie, abominable and execrable.
And hitherto hath the Apoſtle declared theſe things concerning the corrupt men, that ſhalbe in the laſt time, and the naughty conditions of all kindes, of all ages, and of all degrées.
But hauehave not the Prophets, and euen Ieſus Chriſte him ſelf, the Lord of Prophets, foreſhewed theſe things alſo before hand? For in the Goſpel (omitting the Prophets) he ſpeaking moſte manifeſtly ſaid.
Luke. 18.But vvhen the Sonne of man shall come, shall he finde faith vppon the Earth? Math. 24.And again. Iniquitie shall vtterly abound, and the looue of many shall abate. And yet again moſte manyfeſtly.
As were the daies of Noe (ſaith hée) ſo shall be alſo the comming of the ſonne of man. For as they were in the daies before the flud, eating and drinking, marying and maried, euen vntounto the day when Noe entred into the Arke, and knewe of nothing, vntill the Flud came and tooke them all awaiy: ſo shalbe the comming of the Sonne of man. Luke. 17.In like manner alſo, as it happened in the daies of Loth, they did eat, drink, bie, ſel, plant, and build. But what day as Loth went foorth from the Sodomits, it rained fire and brimſtone from Heauen, and deſtroyed them all, ſo shalbe alſo the day in vvhichwhich the Sonne of man sbalbe reueled.
Wherfore there is no cauſe, to ſhew forth in many woords, what kinde of men they were in the daies of Noe and Loth, ſeeing our Lord him ſelf hath moſt plentifully declared the ſame vntounto vsus, namely, that they were men altogither carnall, vtterly deſpiſing diuine and holy things, ſéeking nothing but carnall matters, ſo that they might ſéem to degenerate or be turned in to certain brute and wilde beaſtes. But who can deny, that ſuch are at this day the greateſt parte of the common people, and the nobilitie and rulers, and almoſte all wiſe men? Beholde what Kings and Princes doo, and alſo the ſpiritual fathers, like wiſe the learned and excellent men in the world. Harken what the common people talketh of Religion, of rightuouſneſſe, of honeſtie, and of the hope of the world to come. You ſhalbe forced to cry out with the Prophet and ſay.
There is none righteous no not one. Rom. 3.There is none that hath vnderſtanding. There is none that ſeeketh after God. All are turned aſide, and are become vnprofitable. There is none that dooth good, no not one. Their throte is an open Sepulchre, they hauehave vſed their tungs vntounto diſceit, and the poyſon of Aſps is vnderunder their lips, whoſe mouth is ful of curſſing and bitternes, their feet are ſwift to shed blood. Deſtruction and wretchedneſſe is in their vvaies, and they hauehave not knowen the vvay of peace. There is no feare of God before their eyes.
The Apoſtle procedeth to recken vp greater daungers, whiche ſpring out of corrupt men, and out of their corrupt and wicked doctrine.
The daungers of the corrupt doctrine of the laſt age.For he ſaith, there ſhall be in the Church. Some deceiuers, flattering, witty and crafty, that vvil enter into noble houſes, and bring vvomen into bondage, vvhichwhich women are led with diuers luſts. He addeth. That their doctrine shal finde no Hauen, nor hauehave any end, and that no mans conſcience can therby be prepared or made quiet.
And to the intent they might the better be knowen when they come: he likeneth them to the Soothſayers of Egipt, who with ther ſpeaking, with their wicked practiſes, Sorceries and moſte crafty legerdemain: wrought meanes before Pharao the King of Egipt, that he ſhuld not let go the Iſraellits ye people of God, to doo honour to their God. And Chriſte our Lord making mention of the very ſame deceiuers, ſaith in the Goſpel.
There shall ariſe falſe Chriſtes & falſe Prophets, vvho shall vvork great miracles and great vvunders, ſo that the very elect, if it vvere poſſible, shoulde be brought in to error. Beholde, I hauehave tolde you before.
Neither is it néedful for me, to make plain and with large diſcourſe to approoue how theſe things alredy hauehave béen abundātly fulfilled long time agoe, and in certain hundred yéeres togither. A thouſand examples and teſtimonies maiſt thou finde in the Temples of the Papiſts, in their Chappels, in their Schooles, in their Halles, in their Colleges, in their Abbies and religious houſes.
To the great weight of the daungers of this laſt age,Perſecutions of the laſt age. are now added alſo euen moſte cruell perſecutions of the trueth, and of the Saints, which the Apoſtle hath foreſhewed ſhould come to paſſe.
Moreouer he ſaith, that the wicked ſhould with fortunate ſucceſſe, proſper, and go forward, but contrary wiſe that the Godly ſhould be oppreſſed with all kinde of calamities, the whiche thing ſhould blinde very many, and kéep them in error. The very ſame alſo did our Lord Ieſus foretel of in the Goſpel. And Daniel diſputing of Antichriſte and his kingdome.
Daniel. 8. and 11.And he shall proſper (ſaith he) and shall vvork, and ſlay the ſtrong ones, and the people of the Saints, according to his ovvn vvil, and falshod shall proſper in his hands. Alſo. The teachers of the people shall inſtruct many, and shall be ouerthrovvne through the Svvord, through fire, through banishment and extortion, euen vntil the laſt time.
But that euen theſe things alſo are accompliſhed: it is plentifully witneſſed by the Hiſtories of certain hundred yéeres laſt paſt. England alſo at this day yéelding foorth abundant ſtore of Martirs, dooth teſtify the ſame. Fraunce dooth witneſſe it. Italy & Germany doo record it.
And theſe things hetherto the holy Apoſtle of Chriſte hath ſpoken, touching the great perils of the laſt age. All which thīgs to appertain vntounto vsus moſte chéefly and to our times, he, that as yet ſeeth it not: dooth ſee no thing at all. Notwithſtanding, in knowing theſe diſeaſes and diſcerning them with right iudgement, although it be of no ſmall importaunce: neuertheleſſe a more wholeſome frute procedeth vntounto vsus by the diligent conſideration of the medicine, faithfully miniſtred vntounto vsus by the Apoſtle.
But what medicine dooth the Apoſtle bring foorth and miniſter, by help wherof theſe diſeaſes are to be cured, and the great dangers made free from hurtfulnes?The medicine or cure of theſe miſcheefs. And theſe men (ſaith he) auoid thou. It is ſhort councel, and a medicine nothing curious, but yet of meruelous force. But whom dooth he meane, while he ſaith. And theſe men? Forſooth wicked men paſt grace, enemies of true Religion, and moſte chéefly ſuttle Sophiſters, deceiuers, bloody percecutors, falſe Prophets, and ſuch as are drunken with the proſperitie, happines and pleaſures of this world.
Theſe (I ſay) and all their partakers and confederates auoid thou. The which thing is aſmuch in effect, as if he had ſaid. Such wicked men and deſtroyers, thou ſhalt deteſt as an hainous abhomination
Thou ſhalt not feare them, thou ſhalt not eſtéeme them, thou ſhalt not allow them nor folow them, thou ſhalt nothing at all beléeue them. No doo not play with them, nor confer with them. Finally, thou ſhalt turn from them perpetually with erneſt endeuour, and with a whole bolde and a ſtout minde. For the Lord alſo hath ſaid in the Goſpel. Beleue them not, or folow not, nor imitate the falſe Prophet. But, thou wilt obiect, that this is a hard matter to performe. But vntounto God, and to him that beleeueth: nothing is impoſſible or hard.
Iohn the Apoſtle crieth out ſaying. He is greater, 1. Iohn. 4. and 5.that is in you, then he, vvhichwhich is in the vvorld. And againe. This is the victory that ouercommeth the vvorld, euen your faith. For our Lord firſt cryed out in ye goſpel. Beholde I am vvith you euen vntounto the vvorlds end. Math. 28. Iohn. 1. and 14. &c. Luke. 21.In the vvorld ye hauehave affliction. But be of good cheere, I hauehave ouercom the vvorld. One here shall not perish from your head. I vvil giuegive to you my ſpirite the comforter. And other ſuch like ſayings, which are read in the Goſpel.
Furthermore, the Apoſtle ſheweth a very commodious way, how we may be able to avoid theſe corrupt men, and all corruptions in Religion, and alſo to eſchew thoſe perillous daungers, namely, if with a certain holy erneſtnes we cleue vntounto the example of the Apoſtle, and taking faſt holde vpō the canonicall Scriptures, doo not ſuffer our ſelues to be ſhaken of, or pulled away one heres bredth from the ſame. And the Apoſtle him ſelf commendeth vntounto vsus the example of an Apoſtle ſaying.
Thou haſt ſeene the experience of my doctrin, fashion of liuing, we muſt not depart from the Apoſtles example.and my purpoſe alſo, namely in teaching, in lyuing, & in all my office, what I regarde in theſe things, verily the glory of God and ſaluation of ſoules. Finally thou knoweſt vvhat my faith hath beene alwaies, my long ſuffering, my conſtancy and my patience in perſecutions. Folovv thou theſe things, declining no vvhit from the example of Chriſte and of me. For our Lord ſaid alſo in the Goſpel.
Iohn. 8.I am the light of the vvorld. He that foloweth me, walketh not in darkneſſe, but hath the light of life. And the Apoſtle to the Corinthians. Be ye folowers of mee as I folowe Chriſte. But, becauſe the men of this laſt age, doo not much eſteeme the example of Chriſte and of his Apoſtles, but doo more regard the examples of Fathers (I knowe not of what ſorte) and of moſte filthy Munks, that is therfore the cauſe, why there are ſo many ſects, and that ſo many wander about, and grope like blinde men, not knowing what or whom to folowe, or what they may teach. Wherfore, as many of vsus as deſire to be ſaued: let vsus kéep our ſelues within the bonds of the example of Chriſte and of his Apoſtles.
…e muſt continue in the Apoſtles doctrin.Now touching the Apoſtles doctrine, we are admoniſhed by the Apoſtle: Firſt that we muſt continew in the Apoſtles doctrine. Afterward, he ſheweth the cauſes, why eueryevery godly man ought to continue in that kinde of doctrine. For he pronoūceth plainly and techeth with great power, he ſaith. But tary thou, or continevv thou ſtedfaſtly. As if hée ſhould hauehave ſaid. How ſoeuer the deceiuers and deceiued, go foreward in their errors, houſoeuer graet numbers of men departing from the plainnes and ſingleneſſe of the Apoſtles, doo folowe corrupt doctrin and thoſe Egiptian Sophiſters: yet neuertheleſſe, perſeuer and continue ſtil thou & all others, that couet to pleaſe God, and to abtain true ſaluation. In what things I pray you ſhall they continew?
The Apoſtle addeth it. In thoſe thinges vvhichwhich thou haſt learned, and vvhichwhich hauehave ben committed vntounto thee. But Timothe had learned the Scriptures, and out of thē the holy goſpel, as ſtraight way the Apoſtle wil expound him ſelf.
And this was that precious pledge which was committed vntounto him. Therfore the godly muſt perſeuer and continue in the Scriptures and in the doctrin of the Goſpel. So ſhall it come to paſſe, that they ſhall not be a pray to the deceiuers, and to the moſt wicked men of this laſt age.what was committe… vntounto Tim… the and againſt traditions. Neither muſt we think (as certain fooliſh men doo fain) that vnwritten Traditions were committed vntounto Timothe, as though the Apoſtle had ment, that without traditions, the Scriptures ſuffiſe not vntounto godlineſſe, or that he had taught one thing by woord of mouth: and another thing in writing. For by and by the Apoſtle him ſelf wil declare, that the Scriptures are moſte ful, and moſte abſolute, ſuch as are able throughly to faſhion and make perfect the worſhipper of God. The Apoſtle els where affirmeth very intirely,1 Cor. 4. that his doings agrée in one ſorte all alike, and that he teacheth like doctrin in all Churches. He ſayeth alſo, that he and his diſiples walke all one way, and béeing all led by one ſpirit, doo all things with humilitie.
…. Cor. 3.Again to the Corinthians. VVee vvrite (ſaith he) none other things vntounto you then vvhichwhich ye read, and vvhichwhich alſo ye knovve. Yea and ſo I truſt, that ye shall knovve vntounto the end And again.4. Cor. 10. As vve are in vvords by letters, vvhen vve are abſent: ſuch are vve indeed alſo, vvhen we are preſent.
But it is openly apparant that thoſe things, whiche thoſe men recken vp among the vnwritten verities, affirming the ſame to be receiued from the Apoſtles, euen (as if were) from hand to hand, are ſo diſagreing with thoſe things which are contained in the writings of the Apoſtles: that they are euen directly repugnant and contrary.
Of which kinde are thoſe matters, which they ſtuf in, conſerning the vſe of Images in the Church, conſerning the Maſſe, conſerning ſingle life and Munckery, and infinit other ſuch ingling deceits. Where alſo euen that is diligently to be noted, that he ſaid not. Tary thou in thoſe things which thou shalt learn yet heerafter. But, tary thou in thoſe hings vvhichwhich thou haſt learned. To vsus therfore, partain not thoſe things, which wretched men after certain hundred yéeres, hauehave learned of Fathers (ſuch as indéed may be called ſtepfathers) and of lewd and ſuperſtitious Munks.
It foloweth now, why we ought to cleue onelyonly to this doctrin.Why wee ought to cleue only to the ſcriptures. Indéed many reaſons may be alleaged, but among many theſe are the chéefeſt. Firſt, Knovving (ſaith he) of vvhom thou haſt learned them. Truely it is much to be reſpected of what maiſters or teachers we learne any thing. For the doctrin receiueth authoritie from the teachers, or author therof. It is thought that from the more excellent, cunning and holy men, proceedeth ſome excellent learned and holy thing.
Verily, from men procéed humaine things, and from God procéed godly and deuine things. But of whom had Timothe learned? or from whom came the doctrin receiued by Timothe? Surely, from the moſt holy Apoſtle, and moſt ſelect inſtructment of God. Therfore, not the man Paule, but rather the Spirit of Chriſte (inſpiring Paule) hath purchaſed authoritie vntounto the doctrine. Therefore Timothe knewe, and al the faithful alſo at this day knowe, that the doctrine of the Apoſtles ſprang not from men: but from our Lord God him ſelf, and that therfore we ought to beléeue the ſame, and inſeperably cleue vntounto it. For our Lord him ſelf ſaith in his Goſpel.
Iohn. 13.Verily, verily, I ſay vntounto you, hee, that receiueth an Apoſtle, or vvhomſoeuer I shall ſend: receiueth me. And he that receiueth me: receiueth him that ſent me. Math. 10.And again, ſpeaking of the Apoſtles. It is not you that ſpeak but it i… the ſpirite of your father, that ſpeaketh in you. Iohn. 3.And again. He that is from aboue, is aboue all. He that procedeth of the Earth, is earthly, and ſpeaketh of the earth. He that commeth from Heauen, is aboue all, and what he hath ſeen and heard the ſame: he teſtifieth.
Wherfore in aſmuch as it appéereth, that the doctrin of the Apoſtle is heauenly & deuine: wt good cauſe doo we beléeue, with good cauſe doo we inſeperably cleue to it. Neither did the Apoſtles without great reaſon ſay. therfore shalt thou cōtinue in the apoſtles doctrin, which thou haſt receiued, becauſe thou dooſt ſurely knowe that thou haſt receiued and learned the ſame from Heauen.
But can we ſo ſay of the vnwritten traditions, and of the ordinances of man? No, by no meanes. Therfore, why ſhould we beleeeue them? why ſhould we receiue them? why ſhould we continew in them? Theſe things are due to the holy Scriptures only and alone. They are vtterly mad, that make humain things equall with deuine. But they are led by the Deuil, that prefer things humain before diuine, and thruſt downe and embace diuine things as though they were vncertain, doutful, vnperfect and darke.
Dauid the moſte notable King, and moſte excellent Prophet of God, crieth but againſt ſuch filthy and blaſphemous perſons, and pronounceth with moſte true mouth.
Pſal. 19.The lawe of the Lord is a perfect law conuerting the ſoule. The teſtimonie of the Lord is true, giuing wiſdome to the litle ones. The ſtatutes of the Lord are right, and reioice the hart. The commaundement of the Lord is pure, and giueth light to the eyes. Thy word is a Lantern vntounto my feet, and a light vntounto my ſteps.
Furthermore, the Apoſtles doctrine is grounded vppon the Scriptures or writings of the Prophets,The Apoſtles doctrine is grounded vppon the Scriptures. Paule bearing witnes and ſaying. I was put a part to preach the Goſpel of GOD, vvhiche he promiſed afore by the Prophets in the holy Scriptures. But we knowe, that the ſame are therfore called holy, becauſe they are vttered by the holy Ghoſte. It foloweth therfore in the woords of the Apoſtle. And for that alſo thou haſt knowen the holy Scriptures from a childe.
The holy fathers in olde time were w…nt to inſtruct their children out of the authenticall Booke of the lawe of God and of his Prophets. Therfore, becauſe Timothes mother was a Iew borne (albeit his Father was a Gentil) he béeing exerciſed in the ſcriptures from a childe, had accuſtomed him ſelf therunto.
And when he heard the Apoſtle preache the Goſpel of Chriſte, hee vnderſtoode ſtraightway by the inſpiration of the ſpirit of God, and by conferring of the woords of Paule, with the woords of the Prophets, that the Apoſtles doctrine touching Chriſte, was taken out of the law and the Prophets, and confirmed by the teſtimonyes of the ſame. And for that cauſe he knew that he had not learned the faith of Chriſte, out of wandering rumours, and vain talks of the people: but out of the autenticall Booke, that is to ſay, out of the holy Scriptures, namely inſpired from God (as I hauehave already declared) and deuoutly taught and written, touching things moſte pure of all other, by none, but by ſuch as were moſte holy men. All other books that where out of the Canon and common vſe of the Church: are accounted vnderunder the name of prophane Books.
But this is an effectuall reaſon, and ſuch a one as ought throughly to mooue the mindes of all men, that we muſt therfore beléeue the Apoſtles doctrin, and cleue only to ye ſame: becauſe it proceded from God, and is confirmed by the Authenticall Scriptures, béeing moſte ancient and moſte holy of all other.
What ſo euer booke of what ſo euer Authors thou ſhalt compare with theſe Books: thou ſhalt ſcarcely compare Lead or durt it ſelf, with moſte fine and ſhining Golde. Moſte rightly therfore doo we beléeue that they of all men be moſte fooliſh, who either omitting the Apoſtles doctrin, and writings of the Prophets, turn aſide to the inuentions of man (as though there could be taught or contayned in theſe, more abſolute, more cléere, and more certain things, then in the other) or elſe vtterly giuegive no credit at all vntounto the Scriptures. The taunt which our Lord gaue to the vnbeléeuing diſciples, is right notable and woorthy of ſpeciall remembrance,Luke. 24. when he ſaid, O ye fooles and ſlovv of hart, to beleeue all thoſe things vvhichwhich the Prophets hauehave ſpoken.
The Scripture is able to make a man wiſe vntounto ſaluation.And now enſueth in the Apoſtle, another reaſon no leſſe euident, why we ought only to beleue and ſtick faſt to the Apoſtles doctrin, and to the holy Scriptures.
Becauſe (ſaith he) they are able to make thee wiſe vntounto ſaluation, through faith in chriſte Ieſu.
The Philoſophers hauehave diſputed much of true and falſe Wiſdome,True wiſdome. and hauehave ſo entangled them ſelues with their chattering, that they ſcarcely vnderſtād them ſelues, and muche leſſe reaped any frute of their diſputations. Paule dooth ſimply and truely deriue true Wiſdome out of the Scriptures of God, and out of the Apoſtles doctrine.
For God (béeing moſte excellent wiſe) dooth very often in his woord call his commaundements and the doctrine (ſet foorth in his lawe, and by the Prophets) true Wiſdome. And Moyſes béeing elder then thoſe men, whom the Gretians call moſte ancient, namely Homer and Heſiodus, and the Battel of Troy, and alſo béeing much more excellent then Hercules, Muſeus, Linus, Orpheus, Mercurius, Apollo, and the other Gods of the Gentiles, or then euen the holy Soothſayers: elder alſo then the wiſe men of Greece. Much more ancient then Plato and Ariſtotle, dooth expreſly ſay in Deuteronomy.Deu. 4. You shall keep and doo the commaundements of the Lord for this is your wiſdome and vnderſtanding in the ſight of the nations, which shall hear all theſe ordinances, and shall ſay. This people only is wiſe and hath vnderſtanding, a famous Nation. But the Apoſtles alſo at this preſent dooth ſhew, that ſaluation is the end and alſo the frute of true wiſdō, ſaying. VVhichWhich are able to make thee wiſe vntounto ſaluation.
But, without the true ſaluation of man, what ſhall auaile (I pray you) the empty name and vain title of wiſedome? Wiſdome is the knoweledge of things diuine and humain, and moſte chéefely of thoſe things, by which we may knowe the higheſt good euen God him ſelf, and therwithall to be ioyned togither with Chriſte. The which indeed is true bleſſednes and the higheſt felicitie. And now I omit to rehearſe, how that out of this knowledge of God, ſpringeth righteouſneſſe, and the looue and exerciſe of true vertue, and of all deeds that are truely good.
But the Scripture and doctrine of the Apoſtles, abundantly ſuffiſeth to giuegive this Wiſdome and true ſaluation. Therfore it becommeth vsus, to content our ſelues with the ſame. Yea, it is expedient for vsus, to beſtowe all our life and all our labour vppon thoſe holy books, to depend wholly vppon them, to direct all our ſaylings and all our waies by the ſame, as by a moſte infallible and moſte ſure l…de Starre, to run and flée wholy vntounto them, as to a moſte ſafe Sanctuary. For, Dauid cryeth out and witneſſeth ſaying
Bleſſed is the man that delighteth in the lawe of the Lord, Pſal. 1.and erneſtly ſtudieth in the ſame, bothe day and night. Luke. 11.For the Lord ſayeth alſo in the Goſpel. Bleſſed are they that hear the woord of God and keepe the ſame.
And in deed this ſhalbe the onelyonly and ſafeſt way, to eſcape all perils of al times and all deceits and legerdemain, yea, euen the moſte ſharp and cruel of this our laſt age. But, becauſe ſaluation might be hoped for by this heauenly wiſdome, and alſo by the reading and bare knoweledge of the holy Scriptures, or els by the merits of the vertues, whiche we hauehave learned out of the Scriptures, therfore in déed very godly and Apoſtolikely he addeth and ſayth.Saluation cōmeth by faith in Chriſte. Through faith in Chriſte Ieſu. Therfore ſaluation is learned out of the Scriptures, becauſe it conſiſteth in Chriſte alone.
And Chriſte, who is the bread of life, the ſaluation and fulnes of the Saints, dooth onelyonly and alone giuegive true ſaluation. But true faith béeing inſtructed by the ſpirite of God, and by the holy Scriptures, receiueth the ſame.
Saluation therfore is to be attributed vntounto faith, & not to any other thing but yet not to eueryevery faith: but only vntounto the ſame that commeth vntounto vsus by the grace and benefit of the holy ſpirit, ye which we lerne out of the Scriptures, the true wiſdome of God, & which extendeth and is ſtaied vponupon the a…only ſonne of God, who is our onelyonly moſte abſolute, moſt aſſured and eternal righteouſnes, redemption, ſatiſfaction, ſanctification, life and fulnes. But,The end & …ft of the Scriptures as ſoon as the Apoſtle hath expounded theſe things very elegantly and plainly he ſheweth, what is the end and mark, to the which we muſt direct all the reading of the holy Scriptures, that is to ſay, to learn faith, euen faith in Chriſte, who is our life and ſaluation.
To that very end did Iohn the Apoſtle ſtretch foorth all his whole ſtory of the Goſpel, while (concluding the ſame) he ſayeth. Theſe things are written, to the intent ye might beleeue, that Ieſus is Chriſte the ſonne of God, and that beleeuing: yee might hauehave life in his name.
Conſequently, the Apoſtle procéedeth with a ſhort praiſe,The praiſe of holy Scripture. but yet notable comprehending many thinges, and therfore worthy to be remembered, to commend vntounto vsus the Canonicall Scriptures, not ſomuch, to prooue them to ſuffiſe to the learning and attaynment of ſaluation, as with them to glue faſt togither the mindes of all men, while we all vnderſtand that there remaineth vtterly no whit of ſound profitable, wholeſome and neceſſary doctrin, but the ſame is handled and taught moſte perfectly in the holy Scriptures.
Therfore Paule the Apoſtle pronounceth and ſayeth. All Scriptures giuen by inſpiration of God, are profitable, to teach. &c. And hée plainly ſayeth, All Scriptures. For if thou ſhalt diligently read and conſider eueryevery of the Bookes of holy Scripture (bée they neuer ſo ſhort) thou ſhalt finde in eueryevery of them all theſe things that are héer recited, that is to ſay, that eueryevery one of them is able to teach, to reprooue, to amend, and to inſtruct. But very ſkilfully he addeth, Theopneuſtos, giuen by the inſpiration of God
The Scripture is giuen by the inſpr…tion of God.For there be extant eueryevery where authors and bookes innumerable, béeing not inſpired of God, but ſet foorth by the wil of man: with the which wee hauehave héer nothing to doo. For the holy bookes hauehave this thing proper and pecul…ar to them ſelues alone, namely that they be giuen by inſpiration of God, as I hauehave all ready ſaid a little before. And Peter alſo the Apoſtle teſtifieth ſaying. No prophecy of the Scriptures hath any priuat interpretation. 2. Peter. 1.For the Scripture came neuer by the wil of man: but holy men of God, ſpake as they were mooued by the holy Ghoſte.
And in this point are all our Canonicall or holy Books, diſcerned from the vnholy and prophane books of all other wiſe men. And it is a principle of our religion and of our faith, namely that the Scriptures are giuen by the Inſpiration of God. Wherby it commeth to paſſe, that this ſaying is very often read in the prophets. Thus ſaith the Lord. Thus ſaith the Lord god of hoſts.
Moſte truely therfore Ioſephus, albeit he was a Iew, ſpeaking of the Books of the olde Teſtament, againſt Appio Alexandrinus in his firſt Booke ſayeth thus.
Wee hauehave no infinit number of Bookes amongſt vsus, diſſagreeing and repugnaunt one to another: but only xxij. books, wherin is regeſtred all the whole time to the whiche we iuſtly giuegive credit. For it is manifeſt by our dooings, how we beleeue our owne writings. For in all theſe many hundred yeeres paſt, no man hath preſumed either to adde, or to take away, or to chaunge any thing.
For, it is implanted in to all the Iewes, euen from their cradles, to talke of theſe holy decrees, and ſtedfaſtly to dwel in them, and alſo, if need require, willingly to dye for the ſame. With good cauſe, therfore doo wée beléeue our books, of the two Teſtaments, without gainſaying and curious ſearch, or buſie enquiry. It ſuffiſeth whatſoeuer the holy Scriptures ſhall ſay vntounto vsus, if we rightly vnderſtand the ſame. For néed wée muſt beléeue it.
The profit of the holy Sciptures.But, now let vsus heare to what vſes the holy Scripture is profitable. The Apoſtle recoueth vp iiij. kindes, and vnderunder them he comprehendeth all other the like. For it is moſte certain, that there is nothing wanting in the holy Scriptures, namely, whatſoeuer it bée, that ſéemeth to appertain to moſte perfect wiſdome and doctrine. And firſt he ſaith, That the Scripture giuen by the inſpiration of God, The Scripture teacheth.is profitable to teach. For indeed, to vnderſtand the true doctrine and wiſdome, it behooueth vsus firſt of all to hauehave the right knowledge of things, to the intent we may perceiue what and of what kinde eueryevery thing is and ſo what God is, what his wil is, what he requireth of vsus, what we ought to doo, and what we ought to leaue vndoon, what the dutie is of the true worſhipper of God, what man is, and what kinde of one he is, what was his corruption and fall, and what was his ſetting vp again, what is the ſaluation of man, in whom it conſiſteth and how they may obtain the ſame, who is Chriſte, what his redemption is, how far it extendeth.
But there are infinite other ſuch like things, all which for ſo much as is ſufficient vntounto godlines and pietie, the Canonicall Scripture dooth declare vntounto vsus and teach vsus. Wherby we read in the Goſpel, that our Lord béeing ſo often demaunded, how we ſhould be ſaued, what we ſhoulde doo, to enter in to the kingdome of God, which be the cheefeſt commaundements of God, what our dutie requireth wherwith God is moſte chéefly delighted: did alwaies after one ſorte make anſwere out of the holy Scripture, and ſent vsus back to the holy Scripture.
The rich glutton béeing in Hel, deſiring to come out from thence, and to teach and giuegive warning to his brethern,Luke. 16. he ſendeth him back to the Lawe and to the Prophets, that is to ſay, all the faithful, that deſire to be inſtructed touching the iudgements of God, and the ſtate of Soules in another world, he ſendeth them back, not vntounto Ghoſtes or vntounto ſpirits appéering in mānes ſhape: but vntounto the Scriptures. Wheruppon Paule wrat vntounto the Romaines.
Rom. 15VVhatſoeuer things hauehave been written: they were written for our lerning. Let vsus therfore take the neceſſary rules of our religion out of the ſcriptures. And thoſe things, that are not taught in the Scriptures: let vsus not think them to be either neceſſary or holeſome for vsus.
Moreouer, in true wiſdome it is requiſit that wée bee taught nothing but that onelyonly, which is true and good, and yet that wee ſhoulde vnderſtand alſo, what things are falſe, and ſo reſiſt the ſame.The Scripture reproueth. It foloweth therfore in the woordꝭ of the Apoſtle, that héerin alſo the Scripture is profitable, Pros elenchon, that is to ſay reproouing, and to the conuiction and confutation of falſhod, finally, to blaming, to accuſing, and to ſharp rebuking.
Therfore if any falſe Iugler, or crafty deceiuer bring in an opinion vntrue and vngodly,Hereſies or confuted by the Scripture. if hée corrupt the pure vnderſtanding of the woord, foorthwith the Scriptures miniſtreth holy arguments, with which the godly may confute ſuch a falſe deceiuer. And after that ſorte wée ſée, our Lord Ieſus to hauehave doon in the Goſpel, who, as often as either the Phariſes or els the Saduces were to be confuted, with the Swoord of the Scripture, ſlew their falſe opinions and interpretation. Therfore are they moſte fooliſh, who think that hereticks cannot be ouer come by the Scriptures onelyonly, but that rather they are to be conuinced by councels, and decrées of councelles, or els by curſings.
For we finde that Paule the Apoſtle alſo in the acts of the Apoſtles, did with ſtand and ouercome bothe the rebellious Iewes, and alſo all the enemies of the Goſpel, with none other weapons, then of the Scriptures. And very well and in good time commeth héere to my remembrance a noble ſentence of Saint Auguſtines, which he vſeth againſte Maximinus the Arrian Heretick in his third Book and faith.
But now neither I ought to alledge the councel of Nice, neither thou the councel of Ariminū, as therby to obtaine the victory. And neither I nor thou to be bound to the authoritie of this man or that man. But by the authoritie of the Scriptures, beeing witneſses not proper to any, but common and indifferent to vsus bothe, let matter with matter, cauſe with cauſe, and reaſon with reaſon, contend togither.
You ſée therfore how Saint Auguſtines iudgement was, that the deteſtable hereſie of Arrius could be confuted by the Scriptures, and not by councels.
But now at this day we hauehave the ſelf ſame Scriptures. What ſhould ſet therfore, but that we may with the Scriptures ſtrongly conuince all errors and hereſies, whatſoeuer, at what ſoeuer time they ſpring vp? For the Apoſtle had ſaid, that the Scripture is méer for confutation.
Furthermore, if there be any thing corrupted in the Church (as many times the moſte excellent ordinances of God are peruerted either by the raſhnes,The Scripure amendeth and reformeth. or the ſuperſtition, or the fooliſhnes of man) it is neceſſary to be amended. It foloweth therfore in the Apoſtle, that héer alſo the Scripture is requiſit. Pros epanothoſin, that is to renew, and (as I may ſo ſay, to make ſtraight and amend.
The holy hiſtories ſetteth foorth vntounto vsus in many and ſundry places, the vſe and example of that thing. For, as often as the ſinceritie and pureneſſe of Religion was defiled by the negligence, wickednes, ignorance and couetouſneſſe of the Rulers and the préeſts, and then by God were ſent Prophets and Kings, to amend the errors, that were generally receiued: we read, that they did none otherwiſe reforme and correct the Churche, then acording to the form and rule of the diuine Scriptures.
The holy ſtory of Ioſaphat, Ezechias, and Ioſias, wel inough knowen. And alſo our Lord Ieſus, with holy Scripture correcteth the vices of his time corrupting holy Matrimonie. He alſo purging the Temple of Ieruſalem, through the couetouſnes of the préeſts filthily conuerted in to a market place, dooth euen of his owne accorde bring foorth ſcriptures and ſayeth. It is written my houſe shalbe called the houſe of prayer, but ye hauehave made it a den for theeues.
Moreouer it behooueth them, that are taught and reformed aright,The Scripture kepeth vsus in order. to be kept vnderunder the rule of diſcipline and good order, leſt at any time they doo vnchriſtianly and vnſhamefaſtly wax diſſolute and careleſſe. Paule therfore dooth ſhewe, that not ſomuche as in this behalfe, alſo any thing can be lacking in holy Scripture. For it is profitable (ſaith hée) Pros paideian, that is, vntounto diſcipline and chaſtiſement. Zuor ziichtigung vnmeiſter ſcafft.
For it miniſtreth the perfect rules of life and ſheweth ſharp chaſtiſements. In d…d from thence did Eſdras & Nehemias fetch the right Diſcipline. From …ence did the Apoſtle fetch his doctrine as often as he reprooued the Churches, that went a…ray into error, whome he …adeth into the way again, and kéepeth them in order, with the Scriptures.
What ſoeuer rules of life the Apoſtle preſcribeth to eueryevery degree, eueryevery kinde, and to eueryevery age, the ſame he fetcheth out of the Scriptures.
Finally, the holy Scripture dooth teache and inſtruct vsus in all things, in which we hauehave any néed of teaching or inſtruction. The ſame dooth reprooue, rebuke, accuſe, drawe foorth, conuince, & refute all kindes of errors, & hereſies. The ſame correcteth, amēdeth, reformeth, and finally keepeth vsus vnderunder h…l… diſcipline, leſt we ſhould wax …ſ… and run at ryot: and it is a moſte perfect Canon and a moſte ſure and infallible rule of holy life and true ſaluation.
Therfore, why ſhould not the ſame ſuffiſe in the Church, to gouern the men of this laſt age, and to deliuer them from all corruptions. Neither is there any cauſe, why we ſhoulde take vntounto vsus the rules, that is to ſay, the reuoltings and Apoſtacies, of the Munks. There is no cauſe, why we ſhould beg or borow theſe things neceſſary to ſaluation els where out of the ſtinking puddles of men, and out of the counterfet traditions and decrees of men. The Fountain of liuing water is ſet foorth, and laid open vntounto vsus of God.
But all thoſe partes of godly wiſdome and of chriſtian doctrine,The drift of the wiſedome and doctrin of God. are directed to a certain and an onelyonly end and mark, which the apoſtle addeth, and ſayeth. In rightuouſneſſe. But wee knowe that Chriſte is the righteouſnes of the faithful. To this end therfore all theſe things doo partain, namely, that Chriſte may liue in vsus, and we in him, that he reconciling vsus to God, may take away our vnrightuouſneſſe, and ſo giuegive his rightuouſneſſe vntounto vsus, and that he may be our rightuouſneſſe before God the Father, through whome afterwarde wée might walk in rightuouſnes, during our whole life, with continuall repentance. For (as I hauehave ſhewed alredy) this is the only end and ſcope of the whole Scriptures.
But neuertheleſſe, the purpoſe and meaning of the Apoſtles woords remainethe as yet vnperfet. For the Apoſtle hath ſaid All Scripture giuen by inſpiration of God is profitable to teach, to reprooue, to amend, to inſtruct in rightuouſnes. It foloweth that hée muſt make an end of the ſentence, and finiſh the matter.
That the man of God may be made perfect, The Scripture faſhioneth & maketh perfect the true worſhippers of godprepared vntounto all good woorks. All the partes of this doctrin (ſaith hée) doo tend to this end, and doo woork this effect, that he, which wil be a faithful and perfect ſeruaunt of God, may want nothing therunto, but may obtain by the inſtruction of the Scriptures, to be made perfect and prepared to eueryevery good woork.
Let vsus note wel in theſe woords of the Apoſtle (yée reuerend Fathers and déer bretheren) how that vntounto the Scripture is manifeſtly attributed a moſte abſolute perfection againſt the madnes and furies of all men, yea, againſt the raging blaſphemies of thoſe, that falſely affirm the ſame to be vnperfect and maimed, and therfore méet to be patched vp with the rags of the traditions and decrées of the Church. That the man of God (ſaith Paule) may be made Perfet.
Perfet I ſay: Artios, whole, ſounde, abſolute in all pointes, and ſuch a one as lacketh nothing at all. What is it therfore that is néedful to be mended by theſe traditioners?
Moreouer he addeth. Prepared vntounto eueryevery good woork. He ſaith not to one good woork or two, or a few good woorks: but to eueryevery good woorke Exertiſmenos, prepared, perfited, ended, throughly trimmed vp, Vſgebutzt, made abſolute and finiſhed. Nothing therfore remaineth for the Munks and Balles Traditioners, that ſhould by their inuentions be added now at the length after certain hundred yéeres, to make the matter perfet. The holy Scripture is moſte abſolute, moſte fully teaching all thoſe things that belong to the attainment of godly life and ſaluation. And the ſame is able throughly to faſhion or inſtruct, and make perfet the true worſhipper of God.
The Scripture excelleth Philoſophy alſo.Héerin alſo the holy Scripture dooth far ſurmount all Philoſophy, and all Philoſophers them ſelues, muche more the papiſticall Sophiſters, or traditioners of Ball. Very triuily and very truely ſpake Firmianus Lactantius that Chriſtian Cicero, concerning falſe wiſdome, in his third Booke of inſtitutions, the xxvi. chapter.
OnelyOnly the heauenly doctrine (ſaith he) the which alone is wiſedome, bringeth to paſse thoſe things, which the Philoſophers were neuer able to doo. The commaundements of God, becauſe they are ſincere and pure, of how great force they are in the harts of men, dayly experience dooth shewe it. Bring me a man inclined to anger, il tunged, vnruly, and rash, with a few of Gods words I wil make him as quiet as a lamb. Bring me a couetous perſon, a greedy ſcraper and a nigard, hencefoorth wil I make him liberall. Bring me one that is feareful of death and of pain, ſtraight way he wil deſpiſe hothe Gallowes and fire, and daungers, yea, & the torments of the braſen bul. Bring me him that is a lecherer, and adulterer, a ruffian, and a royater, hencefoorth shall thou ſee him ſober, chaſte, and continent. Bring me a cruel perſon, and one that thirſteth after blood, ſoon shall that fury bee chaunged into clemency and mercy. Bring me an vniuſt man, vnwiſe and ſinful, he shall be ſtraightway iuſt, wiſe, innocent and harmleſse.
So great is the might of godly wiſdome, that beeing powred into the hart of man: it wil at once euen with one push, expell and driue out foolishnes the mother of all ſin. Hath euer yet hitherto any of the Philoſophers performed theſe things? or if he were willing, were he able to doo it? Who, when they hauehave ſpent their whole time in the ſtudie of Philoſophy, yet neuertheleſse are not able (if nature do a litle withſtand it) to make them ſelues or any others the better therwith. Their wiſdom therfore (how much ſoeuer it can doo) yet dooth it not roote out vices but hide them.
But a fewe of Gods commaundements doo ſo throughly and wholly chaunge a manne, and by garnishing the olde, doo ſo make him newe, that thou canſt not knowe him to bee the ſame man he was.
But theſe very trim ſayings of Lactantius doo very much make to the praiſe of our holy Scriptures, or of the woord of God. The which woord in déed excelleth infinitly the wiſdome of the world, be it neuer ſo abſolute and perfet. So that this choſen & ſpeciall Apoſtle of Chriſte, with very good cauſe would hauehave all the faithful, in all things to hauehave reſpect only to the woord of God, and to cleue faſt vntounto the ſame euen to the very laſt breth.
ConcluſionMoreouer now it ſhould remain for me, to gather thoſe things in to a ſhort ſumme, whiche I hauehave hitherto expounded ſomewhat at large, and to ſtir vp your mindes to a moſte feruent ſtudy and looue of the holy Scriptures, that béeing inſtructed and prepared: yée might be the better able to kéep the flock committed to your charge, from thoſe perils of theſe our daies, that be the laſt and therfore moſte corrupt, moſte miſerable, and ful of all calamities. But, ſéeing that through the ſinguler grace giuen vntounto you from the Lord, ye be otherwiſe vigilant and watchfull, and doo vnderſtand and féele alſo, to how greate and what kinde of daungers we are layde open and oppreſſed with all, whiche cannot any way but onelyonly by feruent prayers vntounto God, and ſincere and diligent doctrine taken out of the Scriptures, be put back, driuen away, or be made vnhurtful to the godly. I wil now conclude with the holy and vehement woords of the bleſſed Apoſtle which he Ioyneth immediatly to thoſe which I hauehave all ready reherſed and expounded.
He ſpeaking to eueryevery one of vsus, ſayeth. I beſeech thee therfore before God and before our Lord Ieſus Chriſte, who shall iudge the quick and the dead at his appeering in his kingdom, preach the woord, be feruent in ſeaſon & out of ſeaſon, reprooue, rebuke, exhorte with all long ſuffering and doctrine.
For the time wil come, when they will not ſuffer holeſome doctrine, but after theire owne luſts shall they (whoſe eares itch) get them an heap of Teachers, and shall turn their eare from the trueth vntounto fables. But watch thou in all things, and ſuffer aduerſitie, and doo the woorks of an Euangeliſt, fulfill thine office to the vttermoſte.
But, becauſe eueryevery good gift, and eueryevery perfect gift commeth from aboue, deſcending from the Father of light: (making our humble petitions vntounto him) let vsus aſke of him thoſe things, whiche are neceſſary to the performing of this buſineſſe, waighty indéede and hard. And let vsus pray Our Father which art in Heauen. &c.
End of the text · Henrich Bullinger, Of the End of the World and Judgment of our Lord Jesus Christ (1580)