A Hundred Sermons on Revelation, Sermons · Sermon 5
¶ THE BEGINNING OF THE worke is made, & a moſte goodly deſcription to vsus exhibited of Chriſte kyng and byſhop in glory, & neuertheles woorkyng in the Churche. The fifth Sermon.
ANd I tourned me, that I myght ſee the voice that ſpake with me. And when I was tourned, I ſawe ſeuen golden candelſtickes: And in the middes of the ſeuen candelſtickes, one like vntounto ye ſonne of man clothed with a linnen garmēt …owne to the grounde, and gyrde about the pappes with a golden girdell. His head and his eares were whyte, as whyte wolle and …nowe: And his eyes were as a flame of fyre, …nd his feete like vntounto braſſe, as though they brent in a fournace: and his voice as ye ſound of many waters. And he had in his ryght and ſeuen Starres, and out of his mouthe went out a ſharpe two edged ſworde, and hi… face ſhone euen as the Sūne in his ſtrength.
Suche thinges as hauehave bene treated of hitherto in th… boke be in ſtead of the prologue or preface, as they terme… Now at laſt ſhall the matter it ſelfe be propoūded to vsus.The ſom of theſe things vntounto the .iiii. Chapter. H… therfore followeth the ſecond part of this boke, whiche r… cheth to the fourth chapter. In the which is Chriſt deſcribe vntounto vsus with his catholike churche. For firſt in dede is ſet … fore vsus the moſte ſacred Image of Chriſt our Lord, teachi… what a one he is on the right hande of his father in glor… & how he ſittyng on the right hand of his father, worketh n… uertheleſſe in his churche continually, neuer abſent, preſe… alwayes. Of what ſorte moreouer the churche is here… earth, is figured in thoſe ſeuen congregations. Here therfo… are ſhewed the excellent giftes of churches, and agayne i… ſhamefull errours: How the Lord Chriſt confirmeth ſuch… are ſliding and ready to fall, eſtabliſheth thoſe that ſtande… forteth the weake harted, reſtreyneth the folyſhe hardy, a… preſerueth thinges that are corrupt: Finally how faithful … ſtours of the churche muſt worke and trauell, with the pe… ple committed to their credit. For here is exceadingly w… taught, what is the reparing and preſeruation of church… Where alſo a briefe ſomme of the whole eccleſiaſtical and … ſome doctrine brought in to an abridgement, ſhalbe ſet be… vsus. For here is repeted from heauen of Chriſt in glory, … doctrine of true religion, whiche he had ſet forth more pl… tifully, when he was yet here in earth: And here moſt ap… applieth it to churches, after conſideration of the ſame.
And in moſt goodly order the wordes are knit togethe… (as likewyſe the whole boke is wrytten with playne wor… and hanging right well together, they are diſceaued yt thi… it to be loſe beſomes or broomes vnbounde) Iohn heard voice behind him criyng: Wherupon he tourned backwa… that he might ſe the voyce ſpeaking, that is to wit, hym t… ſpake. For Aretas alſo admoniſſheth, that there is a trope… the wordes. For no man ſeeth, but heareth the voyce. A… tourning him to ſee, he ſawe a figure of Chriſt our ſauio… Therfore when the Lorde ſpeaketh, let vsus tourne alſo w… all our harte,Let vsus turne to ye lord ſpeaking. that we may lykewyſe deſerue to ſe the miſteries of the kingdom of God, for he gladly reuealeth him ſel… to ſuche as tourne, and deſire heauenly thinges: And from thoſe that neglecte the miſteries of the kingdome of God, al thinges of ſaluation are hidde.
Further more S. Iohn exhibiteth to vsus the Image of Chriſt, our catholike kyng and high biſhop ſitting in glory:Thimage of Chriſt is ſet befor vsus. in the whiche deſcription are compriſed the chiefeſt matters of Chriſt. For ſuche a taſte of Chriſt is here geuen vsus, as in this world may be of our weake fleſh perceiued. But we ſhal ſe hym at the length in the world to come ſuch as he is, in the fulnes of his maieſtie, wherin ſhalbe ioye & life euerlaſting: But this in this corrupt world, is yet graunted to no man.
So much therfore is permitted vntounto vsus that liue yet in thys worlde to be ſene, as is profitable,1 Iohn. 2 and as our infirmitie may perceiue. But this ſame is not litle or nothing: but great and large and moſte full of ſpirituall pleaſure, I meane if we beholde theſe miſteries of God with a faithfull eye, and mynde deſyrous of Godly matters. And doubtles they be thynges certayn and true, that here are reuealed vntounto vsus. For they be reuealed by the very ſonne of God. Let vsus not wyſh than to ſe more, or deſyre greater thinges than theſe are: But take pleaſure in thoſe which Chriſt hath graunted vsus. And let vsus knowe for certentie, that a wonderful benefite of God is geuen vsus in this viſion. For who would not couet to ſe Chriſt in glory ſitting on the ryght hand of the father? Who deſyreth not to knowe what our Sauiour doth in heauen? And home being in heauē, is neuertheles preſent with his church in earth? But this ſacred and holy Image inſtructeth in all theſe poinctes all the faithfull of Chriſte moſte fully. Howebeit this Image of Chriſt is not to be ſet forth with colours, ſynce that colours can not atteine to the maieſtie therof: but with the eccleſiaſticall doctrine, whiche hath the promeſſe of the ſpirite of Chriſte: And is therfore more euident, and only mete for the true expreſſing therof. Let vsus alſo prynt the ſame Image, not vponupon any dead table with colours that wyll peryſhe and fade, but in our hartes through the liuely ſpirite of God, whiche may alſo kepe it in our myndes, neuer to be …wipt out. And ſuch thinges as are ſpoken in the ſeconde and third chap. Of this boke, are deriued of this deſcription… Chriſt, that the maieſtie of the thing might inuite vsus to a ſ… gular diligence. The matter is very playne.
An aungell repreſēteth Chriſt.Firſt we are taught who it is, whoſe Image is to vsus ex… bited: Not the ſonne of man him ſelfe in his own ſubſtaun… but lyke the ſonne of man. The ſonne of man after the phr… of the Goſpell, is called Chriſt hym ſelfe very God and m… Here he ſhewed not hym ſelfe to be ſene of Iohn in his ou… ſubſtaunce, but in the fourme of an Aungell, that repreſent… Chriſt: Whiche thyng is oftener then once founde in th… boke. We ſhal therfore referre all theſe thinges vntounto Chriſ… not to the Aungell, whiche is the miniſter of Chriſt in th… miſtery. And we ſhall ſee Chriſt in his owne ſubſtaun… what tyme our baſe body ſhall flitte from hence, and bey… reyſed from the dead ſhall be glorified. In the meane ty… the ſoull from the death of the body tyll it ryſe agayne, ſh… clearely hauehave the fruition of the ſight of Chriſt: Wherein, … I ſayd before ſhall be the chief ioye and felicitie. We ſh… nowe therfore ſee Chriſt as it were in a glaſſe, and ſo muc… as ſhall ſuffice vsus. The Lorde open to vsus the eyes of o… mynde.
Where Chriſt is abiding.He telleth moreouer, where he ſawe Chriſt, in the midd… of ſeuen candelſtickes. By and by we ſhall perceiue that … the candelſtickes muſt be vnderſtande the churches. Chri… is than in the middes of the churche. He ſitteth verely on… ryght hand of the father, and after the proprietie of this … mane body, he is but in one place, and in no mo. As S. A… guſtin declareth aboundauntly in the .lvii. Epiſtle to Dor… nus. Yet for as muche as he is alſo very God, he is lykew… in the myddes of the churche, as he promiſed in the Goſp… Wherſoeuer two or three be gathered in my name,Mat. 18.28 the… am in the myddes of them. And agayne: behold I am w… you vntounto the worldes ende. Therfore by his power diui… Chriſt remayneth and worketh in the churche preſent, a… not abſent. (Leaue therfore to inquire, what Chriſt doth … the ryght hand of his father, whether he ſitte continually?) And he is verely in the myddes of the churches, fyxed to … place, but ſhewyng hym ſelfe indifferently to all egall as helpefull. For he neyther accepteth perſones, nor ſlepe… He is not paynted, he is not Idle, nothyng regardyng matters of the churche: But is chiefly and only attentiue to the ſaluation of the ſame. Suche a one he promyſed him ſelfe to be in the .14.15. and .16. of Iohn. And ſeyng Chriſt is in the myddes of the churche, what Vicar moreouer ſhall he hauehave? Shall he hauehave that ennemy whiche is directly againſt hym?Chriſt hath no vicar. 2 Teſſa. 2. For a Vicar is in ſteade of one abſent: But Chriſt is in the middell of the churche, preſent, not abſent.
In the text followyng Chriſt is deſcribed moſte plentifully, many thynges are aſcribed vntounto him: And is declared in what ſort Chriſt is in the mids of the church. And firſt indede is ſhewed, what garment he hath on: To wit both prieſtly & princely. By the which thing is figured, what maner of one Chriſt is in heauen & in earth: To wit biſhop and king, interceſſour, mediatour, & ſacrifice, a moſte perfit ſanctification & iuſtification, a redemer and deliuerer of the faithful to his father, euermore working the ſaluation of his faithfull. As S. Paul teacheth, Roma. 8. Hebr. 7. PoderesPoderes. is found amōgſt the apparell of Aaron, and it is a prieſtly garment. Whereof S. Hierome writeth to Fabiola, of the prieſtly garmēt. The ſecond veſture of linnen is a coate downe to the fote, of double launde: Which Ioſephus calleth Biſsina. And it is called in Hebrew ketheneth, in Greke, foreign. This cleaueth iuſt to the body, and is ſo narrowe and ſtrayte ſleued, that there is no wryncle at al in the garment, and came downe to the legges. This was verely whyte and cleane.Girdel or a belte. For the Lorde Chriſt is an vndefiled Prieſt. Hebre. 7. Neyther weareth he agayne a foule veſture, as he did. Zachar. 3. Nor a purple, as in the .19. of Iohn. But a bright one, as he that hath obteyned a name aboue all names. But his gyrdell or belte is worne of Souldiours and triumphaunt perſones: And it ſignifieth in Chriſt the dignitie roiall. For Chriſt is king, delyuerer and redemer of the faythfull. His victory is ours. He hath ouercome Sathan, Helle, ſynne and death.
But the belte or girdle of Chriſte is not ſet in the wonted place, to wytte, about the loynes. For as Aretas hath alſo admoniſhed, ther ar no cōcupiſcences to be reſtrained in Chriſt. Therefore is he not gyrded after the maner of ſynners, but about the pappes or breſtes: to thintent we ſhould vnderſtande by the girding, that he is kyng of kynges, voyd… of all affections: Moſte rightuous and holy in iudgements and gouernement: But yet in the meane tyme furnyſhed fo… the defence of his church, as we hauehave red it written in the .9… Pſalme. The Lord hath put on ſtrength & girded hymſelf, &c. Chriſt might ſeme to hauehave girded him ſelfe not after the maner that prieſtes or kynges vſe, for that he hath obteyned … more excellent prieſthod and kyngdome, induring for eue… To accompliſhe theſe thinges it behoued hym to vſe a te… ple, and palace not tranſitory, but heauen it ſelfe. Hebre. vi… and .ix. Yet in the meane tyme the effect pearſeth in to th… church it ſelfe, that ſo he may be preſent in the church alſo.
The head & heares of Chriſt.But the head of Chriſt appeareth hoare, and his hea… whyte, lyke moſte pure wolle, and whyteſt ſnow. Suche a head is aſcribed alſo to the father of our Lord Ieſu Chriſt, … the ſeuenth Chap. of Daniel. For they be of the ſame eſſen… And hereby is ſignified wyſdome and age, and alſo the e… nitie and deitie of Chriſt. And by reaſon that Chriſt is Gi… therfore is he head of the church, miniſtring to the body li… ſpirite, wyſdome, and all giftes celeſtiall. Epheſ. v. Ca… Pope of Rome, that moſte wicked man of ſynne doe th… What an head is he than? without lyfe, without brayne… moſte folyſhe. As he is deſcribed in the .xi. of Zacha. And is a ſhame, that we will not ſe theſe thinges, being blynd euer. Chriſt is euerlaſting, omnipotent, and that knoweth thing: And he may be the health and head of the body. I… in the beginning, ſaith he, was the word, and the word … with God. &c. Chriſt him ſelf: before Abraham was, ſaith … I am. Therfore the Heretickes lye, deniyng Chriſt to be… ry God, of the ſame ſubſtaūce with the father. He is the … dome of God, all thinges are ſubiect to hym. Ephe. the … And he him ſelf fulfilleth all thinge, after the ſame ſort be… preſent with his churche.
The eyes of Chriſt.Now are his eyes alſo not darkened nor blynde, but fy… and bryght. For Chriſt knoweth all thyng. Chriſtes eye… watchful, nothyng is hyd from him, he ſeeth all thinges … are done, both good and euyll. And he ſeeth to the intent may iudge and require. He is light in darknes, and the ſi… of Chriſt is to good men ioyfull in perils. Finally the iudgementes of Chriſt are rightuous. The Prophet Dauid: The eyes of the Lord, ſayth he, vponupon the iuſt, and his eares are to their prayer. Agayne: The face of the Lorde is on them that do euyll. And like as the head is not plucked from the body, ſo Chriſt can not be abſent from his churche. And ſeyng that his eyes are quicke ſighted, and that the Lord forſeeth al our thinges, and hath the charge ouer vsus, how is he abſent from his churche? What nedeth there any vicar?
And the fete of the Lorde are of copper,Braſē fete or lyke vntounto braſſe and frankenſence burning in a fornace. For Chalcolibaum, is a worde compounded of braſſe and frankenſence.Euſebius. This noteth Eraſmus, and that Swidas ſheweth alſo the ſame, that there is a kynde of Copper more precious than gold: which he ſayth is made of Salt peter and of a ſtone. Plin. in the xxxiiii. and .ii. Chapter. calleth it a kynde of braſſe, whiche is digged out of the vaynes of the earth, in tymes paſte had in price. It ſhould ſeme to me to be the ſame, whiche in the firſt and tenth of Ezechiel is called Haſmal, a preſent remedy againſt poyſons. For if wyne intoxicated be put into a cuppe therof, it wil hiſſe. And ſo is the death and poyſon detected.
The moſte cleane braſen and firy fete, do ſignifie the conuerſation, and the wayes of the Lorde blameles, his iudgements right & iuſt. And that he ſo walketh in the church, and gouerneth al things, that in ye meane ſeaſon al vncleanes be detec…ed and conſumed, but he him ſelfe remaineth always moſte holy and pure. For fire pourgeth. God is a conſuming fire.
But the voyce of Chriſt,The voice of Chriſt. is as it were the noyſe of many waters, not ſo muche for that all nations and people do commende and prayſe him: But for as muche as the Goſpel and worde of God, came into the whole worlde. Whiche voyce alſo moſte mightie kinges could leſſe aſſwage and appeaſe, than they could do the guſſhing of waters,Rom. 10 or to ſtoppe the wyndes in ſackes. Therfore by the power of preaching the Lorde is always preſent in his churche.
The hand is an inſtrument of all inſtrumentes, eſpecially the righthande.The right hand. In this Chriſt holdeth ſeuen ſtarres, to wit ſeuen prelates or paſtours of churches in Aſia: And euen all the byſhops throughout the whole world Chriſt by his power geueth to vsus as Paſtours, and inſtructeth, comforte… confirmeth & defendeth them, to the end they ſhould preac… his worde. Wherby he may ioyne hym ſelfe to the churc… Chriſt worketh by them in the churche and preſerueth th…
A two edged ſword out of Chriſt his mouth.The ſame is more lyuely expreſſed in the wordes that f… lowe. For a ſharpe two edged ſworde commeth out of … Lordes mouth. This ſwearde, is the worde of God, as … ryght well declared in the ſixt to the Epheſ. and fourth to … Hebrewes. And this word or ſworde hangeth not vponupon … walle nor ſticketh faſt in the ſheathe, nor hangeth by the f… but cometh out of the mouth. He ſayth not, it came foort… it ſhall come forth: But it cometh forth, as the thyng th… in continuall operation, or perpetuall preaching through… the worlde. And it is two edged, ſharpe and pearſing, aſ… in the heart of the Godly vntounto ſaluation, as in the heart… the wycked to payne and condemnation. And yet at … day cometh out that ſworde of the mouthe of Chriſt by mouthes of Miniſters. The worde of Chriſte is in dede … temned of the world, and is called of many a fable: But … a ſworde, and that a ſworde out of Chriſtes mouth. All … vnfaithfull do finde and ſhall fynde this, howe ſoeuer … reſiſte. With this ſworde Chriſt kylleth the wicked. And effect of this ſworde is greater than was the ſworde of A… ander, Pompey, Iulius Ceſar, or Marius, Attille, or … merlane. Neyther maketh it any ſkylle, though the w… now acknowledge it not. It ſhall doe in tyme to com… their greateſt euyll. Doubtles with this ſpirite of his m… the Lorde continueth alwayes to comfort and gouern… churche, ſo that he is neuer abſent from the ſame.
Finally the countenaunce of Chriſt ſhineth as the … doeth in his greateſt ſtrength about none, when it is … bryght, clere, and pleſaunt, by the countenaunce we … men chiefly. Therfore by the countenaūce we know C… The countenaunce of Chriſt is light. Chriſt therfore is … And that verely a diuine and eternall lyght, lyghtyng a… that they may alſo be made the children of light: and tha… faces of ſaintes may ſhine in that day, as bright as the ſi… and as the face of Chriſt ſhone. Math. 13. and .17. And f… he doeth thus communicate this lyght vntounto vsus. (Iohn … and .1. Iohn. 1.) How is it to be thought that Chriſt ſhould be abſent from his churche? Thou ſeeſt how he is preſent.
And ſo hath our Lord Chriſt exhibited hym ſelfe to vsus to be ſene vntounto ſaluation, and hath opened hym ſelfe wholy vntounto vsus, as he is, what he doeth for vsus, and howe he is in hys churche. In theſe thinges are all the miſteries of the Goſpell comprehended. For what can you ſay of Chriſt, that you hauehave not herein compryſed. Let vsus therfore remembre them. and wryte them in our myndes, that we may imbrace Chriſt kyng and byſhop, and that we neuer let hym departe out of our armes. To hym be glory.