A Hundred Sermons on Revelation, Preface
THE PREFACE OF Henry Bullinger vpō the Apocalips of Ieſu Chriſt ſetforth by the Apoſtle and Euangeliſt ſ. Iohn, vntounto all thexiles for the name of Chriſt in Germany and Swyſerland, of Fraunce, England, Italy and of other Realmes or nations, and generally to all the faithfull where ſoeuer they be, abiding and lokyng for the cōmyng of Chriſte oure Lorde and Iudge.
THat this Apocalips was reueled of Ieſus chriſt king of kinges and high Biſhop, our lord from the right hand of the Father, and ſetforth by thapoſtolical ſpirite, for the ſaluatiō of al faithfull chieflye of thoſe that ſhall be in the latter dayes, before the laſt iudgment, both the matter it ſelfe, whiche is treated, right neceſſary to be knowē, holſom and excellēt, proueth: And alſo the ſimple maner & meane, wherby it is handled being euident and plaine, declareth. I will ſpeake of ether briefly, Collectyng thoſe thinges only, which ſeme to be more profitable and more neceſſary.Iohn .xvi. The Lorde had ſayd in the Goſpell, how he wold aſcende into heauen, and frō thence wold ſend to his Apoſtles the holy Goſt, the comforter, which ſhulde leade them into all truth, and ſhew them the thinges that ar to come. And that which he ſayd he wolde do in wordes, the ſame verely hath he alſo perfourmed in dede aboundantly. The holy Goſt beyng ſent to his Apoſtles, which induced them into all truthe, and opened to them the thinges that were to come, eſpecially to the Apoſtle and Euangelyſt. S. Iohn, who receiued this Reuelatiō, exibited to him of Chriſt, from the ryght hand of the Father, by the miſtery of an Aūgel, in the holy Goſt, who alſo by Chryſte his commaundement, committed the ſame to wryting. The ſumme and ende of the which wryting is this:The ſumme & ende of the Apocalipſe. That Chriſt Ieſus our Lord, wil neuer fayle hys churche in earth, but will gouerne it with his ſpirite and worde, through theccleſiaſticall miniſtery. But that the church it ſelf, whileſt it remaineth in this worlde ſhall ſuffer many thinges, and that for Chryſt and the truthe of his Goſpell profeſſed. And it openeth al and ſingular euils in a maner, that the church ſhal ſuffer, ſhewing how it muſt be exerciſed with common Calamities, as warre, plage famyne and ſuche other lyke, What it ſhall priuately ſuffer of the falſe bretherne through hereſies, ſchiſmes and greuous and continuall ſtryfes, contentions & corruptions in the matter of religion: Finally how terribly it ſhulde be vexed by the moſt cruell perſecutions of tholde Romane Empire, And laſte by the wicked crafts & extreme Tyranny of Antichriſt. Al the which thinges apperteyne to this ende, that all the choſen being ſufficiently warned before, and prouided, in all ages whileſt this worlde ſhall indure, may with true faith alone, cleaue vntounto Chriſt our redemer, king and high prieſte, only and eternall, and may purely and ſyncerely profeſſe hym, call vponupon him, in the innocencie of lyfe, ſerue him, and patiently attend after him, commyng to Iudgemente, and to delyuer and ſaue the godly: But contrarywiſe, that they diſpiſe all ſuperſtitions and the worlde it ſelfe with thoſe his ſondrye religions, felicities and pleaſures: and bewar of al vngodlines. And chiefly that they flee Antichriſt which ſhall com in thende of the worlde, vſurping to himſelfe moſt vniuſtly the kingdom and Prieſthod of Chryſt, and greuouſlye perſecuting the churche of Chriſt, euen to the laſte Iudgemente. In the whiche at the laſte he with all his adherentes, ſhall be throwen downe hedlonge into Hell.
And. S. Iohn beginneth this holſome matter of Chryſte hymſelfe,The fyrſte Chapter of the Apocalips. Lorde, king and high Biſhop, whoſe wonderful and moſt goodly deſcription, after the Apoſtolicke maner, he placeth in the very begynnyng, as the foundation of the whole worke. The ſame deſcriptiō dooeth ſo …ately ſetfoorthe the Lorde, that all the churche may eaſely know,What thinges are treated in this boke, & in what order. diſperſed throughout the whole worlde, in Chryſt oure Lorde all thinges to be accompliſhed, what ſo euer he had ſayd before ſhulde be fulfilled in him, namely that he ſhulde be exalted, one to the ryghthand of his father, into all celeſtiall glory, power and maieſtie & there to be kinge of kinges, of all other moſt mightye, and the true and only hygh Byſhop. Sauiour gouernour, Lorde and generall defendour of the Catholycke churche. For bleſſed. S. Iohn not only ſaw him ſuch him ſelfe, but alſo exhibiteth him ſuch, to be ſene of vsus all in thys hys wryting ſo godly, by a moſt bryght and goodly viſion. And moreouer to thintent it myght be knowne to vsus all, in what ſorte our Lord Ieſus Chryſt, king and prieſt ſitting or working in Heauen on the right hande of his Father, is neuertheleſſe in the middes of the catholycke church, wherof he hath a faithfull care, how louingly and fully he preſerueth it, & in beſt order gouerneth it. S. Iohn ſheweth in this his viſion, that Chriſt walketh amonge the ſeuen golden candleſtickes, & holdeth in his right hande, ſeuen ſtarres. And ſtreyghtway declareth what thing he vnderſtandeth by the candelſtickes and ſtarres, calling the candelſtickes churches, and the ſtarres, Aungels of the churches. That is to witte,Seuen churches. Meſſagers, miniſters and paſtours. For the Lord choſe vntounto him ſelfe ſeuen famouſe churches in Aſia, with whom he treateth nowe generally and compendiouſly, vſing S. Iohn for hys interpretour: which he doth perpetually in all churches throughoute the world, and will neuer ceaſe to do tyll the worldes ende. For the ſeuenth number, whiche is moſt vſed in this boke,Chap. 2, and .3 and is the numbre of fulnes, comprehendeth in it all churches. Wherfore S. Iohn doeth ſo propounde, moderate, and temper all thynges that he treateth with theſe ſeuen churches, that they may be applied vntounto all the Churches that ſhalbe in the worlde, vntyl the worldes ende, for theyr learnynge and edifiyng. And for the ſame cauſe, theſe ſeuē churches may be exā ples of all other churches. For loke what thing then, did pleaſe or diſpleaſe the Lord in thoſe ſeuen churches, what tyme theſe thyngs wer reuealed: the ſelfe ſame in all other churches, ſhall pleaſe or diſpleaſe him, ſo long as the worlde ſhall laſte. And as he wolde hauehave thoſe inſtructed and taught: ſo wyl he that all and ſingular be inſtructed at all ſeaſons. Therefore in theſe ſeuen churches we hauehave examples of churches moſte excellent in dede, and of God derely beloued: And agayne of moſte corrupte, meane alſo, and finally mixed. And in theſe al is ſhewed, what is, or ſhall be, the diſpoſition, maners and vertues of all the churches in the whole world, and of al tymes and ſeaſons, likewiſe the vices of them and remedies of the ſame. Therfore the Lorde in theſe inſtructeth, reproueth, chideth, threatneth, exhorteth, comforteth, promiſeth. Wherfore in theſe we ſhall ſee, as it were in a table ſet before vsus, what the true and ryght doctrine of the churche is. And againe, which is the falſe and the corrupt doctrine. We ſhall heare and learne, that the churche beloued of God, muſt ſtande ſtyll in the preachyng of the Goſpell, once receyued of the Apoſtles of oure Lord Ieſus Chryſt: and muſte loke for no new, nor other mo doctrines, and to hauehave no nede of other Reuelations: For the churche ys already inſtructed with a moſt complete doctrine. There is it taught alſo, what we ought to do with corrupte doctrines, and teachers. And where it is eaſy to fall into vices, this boke doth dilligently and plentifully miniſter medicines, teaching, how the churche falling downe maie be ſet vp and repared againe: And here it treateth much of true repentaūce, of the fruites of repentaunce, of the duties of Saincts or of very good workes. Moreouer, it exhorteth the afflicted to patience and conſtantie, and to the confeſſion of Chriſtes name, withoute feare, and to all godlynes: many times ſettyng forth the moſt ample rewardes of god, And alſo affirming that tourmentes are prepared for the diſobedient and reuoltes. By this waie & meane. S. Iohn ſheweth to the church how our Lorde Ieſus Chryſt being in heauen, on the righthande of his father, in the meane tyme, & neuertheleſſe worketh in the middes of the congregation of his faithful, inſpiring, quickenyng, kepyng and gouernyng it. And agayne, how the church liuing in this world, may l…ue notwithſtanding in Chriſt, and be quickened of him, of whom it dependeth wholye, whom only it regardeth and in whom it is preſerued. And who wyll not acknowledge this handlyng of the matter, to be all together Apoſtolicke, and right well grounded in the doctryne of Chryſt? But in the worke it ſelfe, all and eueryevery thynge, ſhall to vsus be muche more euidently declared.
But where as Chriſt in the Goſpel hath ſaid, that the church his welbeloued ſpouſe, ſhulde be exerciſed with ſondry afflictions, in the whiche notwithſtanding,The church is ſubiect to tēptations & perſecutions. he wolde neuer faile her: Nowe in dede frō the right hand of his Father, he recompteth moſte plentifully and in a moſt goodly order of all the dollefull deſtenies of the churche, to thintent that whileſt the churche is ſubiecte to ſundry euilles, ſhe may remember theſe thinges, and coumfort her ſelfe, leſt ſhe beyng diſcouraged with aduerſitie, ſhe begin to doubte of the good wyll of God towardes vsus, and fall againe to Idolatrye forſaken, into the errours of theyr Fathers, and into the ſlippery pleaſures of this worlde: but rather that ſhe go forewarde in the Religion of Chryſte once receyued, that ſhe holde on throughe conſtante patience to profeſſe Chryſte, to cleaue vntounto him vnſeparably, that at the length we maye alſo be ioyned with the ſame, in ye heauēly countrey. Which is verely the marke and ende of our lyfe, & the courſe of all faithful in this miſerable world. Howebeit,Chapter .iiii. wheras in the calamities and perſecutions of the faithful, and in the felicitie & triumphing of the infidels, the minde euen of the holyeſt ſeruaunt of God, is ſore moued, and greuouſly tempted, before he come to declare the heauy and miſerable deſtenies of the church, he ſetteth foorth vntounto them, a moſte beautifull type or figure of the reuerende, holy▪ and euermore bleſſed Trinitie, wherin is ſetforthe, to be ſene of theyes of all men, the vnſpeakeable wiſdome of God, power & maieſtie, the iuſte gouernement of the ſame, and holy iudgement in all thinges: And is alſo declared, that almightie God the father, by that Lambe, that is, by hys ſun, our onelyonly redemer, in the vertu of the holy Goſt, doth gouern well althinges, what ſoeuer they be eyther in heauen or in earth. And alſo the very deſtenies of the churche, which are written in the boke of his eternal prouidence, cloſed with ſeuē ſeales. There appereth the Lamb of God,The ſeuen hornes of the Lambe. Chap. v. ſetforth with ſeuen hornes: That is furniſhed with moſt ful power aſwel princely as prieſtly, the greateſt of al, and in all the moſt abſolute. The Lamb receyueth, that boke of the ryght hand of hym that ſitteth in the Throne, and vndoeth and openeth in order thoſe ſeuen ſeales. For he receyueth of hys father all power, bothe in heauen and in earth. And that the Lambe alone openeth thoſe ſeuen ſeales, it conteyneth a ſwete miſtery, and miniſtreth a ſingular comfort to the faithfull. For where we beleue, that the Lābe of God, our redemer Ieſus Chriſt doth louelove mankind ſo excedyngly, that neyther in heauen nor in earthe, maye any thyng be founde, that loueth vsus more intierly: And now ſee the very ſame, and none other to open the ſeuen ſeales,Seuen ſeales. which opened, ſondry calamities iſſew out by and by, into the worlde: Who wold double, the ſame to be ſent to him for his health, ſince they are ſent not without his prouidence and diſpoſition, who directeth al thinges for the ſaluation of his choſen? vntounto all the which thinges, that notable matter is added, that al the ſpirites Angelicall, thelders alſo, and all heauenlye creatures, worſhyp God and the Lambe, prayſe and commende his righteouſnes, and for his excedyng good gouernement, geue him immortall thankes. For therof we miſerable mortall men, inuironed with ſynful fleſhe, ought to learne, that we ſhuld acknowledg alſo, the iuſtice of God in all hys workes and not mumer at his gouernement and moſt rightfull iudgmentes: but rather to worſhip God, to ſubmit vsus vntounto him, to prayſe his righteouſnes, and geue thankes for his moſte holy gouernmente, and to crye with the prophet, thou art iuſt O Lorde, in all thy wayes,Chap. vi. and holy in all thy workes. Theſe thinges, being on thiſ wiſe promyſed, and the mindes of the faithfull, thus inſtructed and prepared, in the opening of the ſeuen ſeales, ſeuerally is accompted and rekned vp, what and how greate euils ſhuld inuade men, from the which not ſomuch as ye faithful liuing in this world, ſhuld be free. Wares, ſlaughters, famine, peſtilences are recyted, and ſuche other lyke plages: Agayne perſecutions, ſeditions,Goſpel or Conſolation. and a great deale worſe then al theſe the ſeducyng, and diſtroying of men through corrupt doctryne.
But becauſe this boke of the Apocalippes, is moſt euangelicall & apoſtolical, it mingleth doubtles in all that declaration, often tymes ioyfull thinges with ſorrowful, and comforteth the faithfull excedingly, in moſte and greateſt daungers. And therefore in the calamities,Chap. vii. troubles, euils and corruptions declared hitherto, the Aungel of God is brought in, who marketh the elect of God, in theyr foreheades: and all they in dede, throughe the goodnes and cuſtodye of God, are ſaued from perdition. And of theſe are accompted innumerable thouſandes. Wherby we learne that the mercy of God is moſte ample in ſauing of men: and that we ought to hope well, of the ſaluation of oure elders,We muſt hope wel of the ſaluation of oure forefathers. wherof though the moſt part lyued vnderunder the corrupt tyme of Papiſtrie, yet followeth not thereof, theyr ſaluation to be doubtfull, at the leaſt euen for this cauſe, that we ſee, that God had, & hath his church at all tymes, euen when they be moſt daungerous: To hauehave hys ſealed, to hauehave ſuche as worſhip hym, whiche like as in times paſte, hauehave not bowed theyr knees to Baall. Al the which through his vnſpeakable goodnes and mercy he hath ſaued from perdition, and mercyfully clenſed, from all corruption.
And out of the ſeuenth ſeale,Seuen trompets. Chap. viii. are brought conſequently ſeuen trō pets, by the which are denounced greuous conflicts of the faithful and infidels. Yet before that theſe things are expounded, Chryſt is ſhewed before the Throne of God, making interceſſion for vsus. And to him are the faithful ſent, in their perils, to craue helpe of him, ſuccour, and deliueraunce. And the Deuil, maſter of lyes, bloweth the one, ſente to his men: Againe the holy ſpitite of God, ſoundeth the trompet to the Sainctes. They ioyne together in battell here, the godly and vngodly, the diſciples of the pure, and of the corrupt doctrine, the ſoldiours of Chryſt, and of the Deuil. Here are great daungers, and the minds of the godly ar more greuouſly afflicted and tempted with peruerſe doctrynes in the churche, then with the cruel ſworde of tyrantes, and almaner of calamities. Here are ſondry hereſies reſited, which impugne and corrupt the euangelical veritie. And as by the ſeuen ſeales he vnderſtode al maner of calamities, by the iuſt iudgement of God powred out vponupon the worlde: ſo vnderunder the ſeuen trompets, he comprehendeth al hereſies in the world, and pernitious opinions againſt thapoſtolical doctryne. And ſheweth that amonges thoſe corrupte deprauations, Mahometrie and Papiſtrie, did moſte excell. He deſcribeth the wanton and tedious clergie of the Pope,Chap. ix. whiche to men is euen intollerable, vnderunder the kynde of graſſehoppers. And Lawrence Valla, a man excellently learned, though he was a Romane borne, and that of a noble houſe. Where the libertie mete for Chriſte, was of him more eſtemed, then ſo hard and monſtrouſe a bondage, coulde not refrayne, but inueyghed againſt the Popiſh clergie, and ſaid: I verely yf I hauehave any fayth at all, beleue nothing to be more hatefull, neyther to God, nor to other men, then ſo greate a licentiouſnes of the Clergie in temporall matters. And no leſſe euidently expreſſeth, the Turkiſhe crueltie, vnderunder the kind of terrible horſes breathing out ſmoke and fyres. By all the which thinges, he ſetteth forth the church to be moſte miſerably afflicted and tormented, vtterly after the ſame ſorte, that we ſee thē vexed at this day, vnderunder the moſte vnhappie papiſtrie, & mahometrie.
Againe yet leſt any man ſhuld be in ſo great euils diſcouraged, and ſhuld thinke that God,The Goſpel, or conſolation. his promeſſes touching the endes of good and euill men, were vayne, & alſo concerning the deliueraunce of the faithfull, by the laſt iudgment. Agayne after the diſpoſition and maner Apoſtolicall, he annexeth and ſetteth againſt all theſe perilles and calamities,Chap. x. a moſt ſtrong conſolation. For he bringeth forthe, the Lorde Chryſt hym ſelfe confirming by a ſolemne othe, that doubtleſſe an end of all theſe thynges ſhulde come: And that God of hys iuſtice wyll aſſuredly render rewardes to the godly, and puniſhment to the wicked. Where he diſſembleth not, that Iohn himſelfe, ſhall prophecy again, to write in thapoſtolicall ſpirite and doctryne, to kynges, nations, and many people. Moreouer, he affirmeth manifeſtly that he wyll ſend in to the worlde,Chap. xi. teachers of the veritie, and of certayne ſaluation, which alſo moſt ſharply, ſhal rebuke the wickednes, and wicked men, of the moſte corrupt laſt age, ſhall preache Chriſt, ſincerly, and accuſe Antichriſt moſt greuouſly. Theſe he ſhaddoweth by a figure of two excellent doctours. Whom he ſaith, for the libertie of preachinge, and conſtancie of fayth, ſhuld be moſt cruelly ſlayne of Antichriſt. But he addeth, that theſe ſhall receyue of God, moſt ample rewardes: And that Antichriſt ſhall laboure in vayne to ſuppreſſe by fyre and ſworde, the preaching of the Goſpell: for ſo muche as the Lorde ſhall oftentymes ſtire vp new preachers, which ſhal lighten the truth obſcured. He addeth furthermore, that many ſhal daily reuolt from Antichriſts kingdom, and that the ſame finally by the coming of the Iudge, ſhalbe vtterly brought to nought, and he maketh no concluſion, at this preſent in this place of the laſt iudgement of Chriſt, but differreth thexpoſition or treatyng of that matter, to an other place more cōuenient, which he treateth in the .xix. and .xx. Chapters. And theſe thinges hitherto hath he ſpoken generally of the perils, calamities, contentions, troubles, ſectes, and perſecutions of the churche of Chryſt, whiche ſhal exerciſe it from the time of Chryſt and his Apoſtles, to the worlds end. He annexeth conſequently, a ſingular or priuate, and that a plentifull treatiſe of the moſt greuous conflictes and perſecutions of the church. For it behoueth chieflye the ſainctes, to hauehave knowne theſe thynges, that in the veri perilles and afflictions, they may remember this godly admonition, and beare in minde, that the Lorde hathe tolde before,Chap. xii. of the things that they now ſuffer, who ruleth & gouerneth al things, finally who can and wil delyuer them from al theſe euyls, when, how, and aſmuche as he of his good wyll ſhall ſee it good. Firſte therfore he propoundeth agayne, generally the partes of this conflicte or ſtrife, a woman clothed with the ſunne, crowned, traueling, which is a figure of the faithfull churche: he ſetteth againſt her a moſt fierſe and cruel enemie, I ſay the great dragon, Red, with ſeuen heades, &c. A figure doubtles of that olde ſerpente, the Deuill. After are ſetforth theyr attempts, nature, force and conflictes or fyght.Seuen heads of the Dragon And here again for a cō forte it is expreſſed the victory of Chryſt the head, and of the churche, and members of the ſame. Afterward the Lord by Iohn, rehearſeth, ſeuerally in the viſion, the ſpecial inſtruments or members of the dragon, by the which he aſſaulteth, and moſte cruelly vexeth,Chap. xiii. and werieth the church. And theſe inſtrumentes are, the beaſte with ſeuen heades and ten hornes, and the beaſt with two hornes, that is, thempire and falſe prophet, and the image of thempire.Seuen heads of the beaſt. Theſe thynges he painteth out after the Imutation of Daniell ſo liuely, and (as it is ſayd) with theyr owne colors, in the .xiii. and .xvii. Chap, that no man can chouſe but fele, and muche more perceyue, of whom he ſpeaketh: verely of the olde Romane Empire, and of Papiſtrie. He calleth beaſtes after the imitation of Daniell, cruell kyngdomes or empires. And the thyng it ſelfe declareth, that our very Lorde Ieſus Chryſt, the head and king of all Sainctes, ſuffered and was crucified vnderunder Ponce Pilate, gouernour of Iuri, but ſent thither frō Rome, and gouerning althinges in the name of Themperour Tiberius. Agayne, eueryevery man knoweth that the firſt perſecutiō againſt the Chriſtians, was ſtyred vp by Nero Emperour of Rome. The ſeconde by Flauius Domitian Emperour of Rome, which intrapped alſo the Authour of this worke. And after this we reade of eyght other perſecutions or mo ſtyred vp by the reſidew of Romane Emperours, againſt the faithful ſpouſe of Chriſt by the whiche ſhe was cruelly rent in peaces and troden vnderunder foote. And that for no other cauſe, then for that ſhe woulde not worſhip the beaſte: that is, that ſhe wold not receyue the ſuperſtions and heathen rites of the Romane Empire. I meane the falſe Gods, and idolatrie of the Heathen. And for that ſhe worſhipped one God, alone through Chryſt, and cleaued to him & ſeruid him, after his Goſpell. Here therfore are excepted Conſtance, Conſtantine, Gracian, Theodoſe, and other godly and chriſten princes or Emperours, which be not rekened vnderunder the deueliſh beaſt. For an Empire or kingdom of it ſelfe, as. S Paule ſayeth, is of God: wherfore yf good men rule, and geue not ouer themſelues to be ruled of the Deuill, they ſhall verely appertaine to the body of holy church, and not to the abominable bodi of the beaſt. In the meane time, whileſt that olde Rome wold not ſeriouſly repēt, and tourne to Chryſt, forſaking theyr falſe gods and ſuperſtitions, at the laſt it was condemned of Chryſt, by the law of like penaltie. For with the ſame meaſure, that the Romanes met to other nations, with the ſelfe ſame, did other nations meaſure agayne to Rome. Wherfore the Perſians, Hunnes, Frenchemē, Alemans, weſt Gothians, Vā dalles, and Eaſt Gothians, invaded thempire, & rent the whole Empire in pieces. And at the laſt, beſeged Rome it ſelf, brake in to it, toke it, ſpoyled, ſacked, burnt & deſtroyed it. And ſo at the length, the Lord Ieſus by iuſt iudgement, reuenged the bloud of his ſeruauntes. And Rome lay, and yet lyeth in ruine, and ſhall neuer be repared to the aū cient beautie. And it behoueth the ruine of it, to remayne in token of the veritie, and reuengment of Chriſt Ieſus: that euen therof al godly may gather, ye God wyll be moſt true in thother promeſes of Chriſt alſo as yet not fulfilled. Moreouer the Romane Empire weſtward, laye neglecte without an Emperoure, aboue thre hundreth and twentie yeares, from Auguſtulus, whom Odacer a Germane oppreſſed, til Charles the great king of Fraunce. And in theſe times of deſolation, that is, of thempire oppreſſed and extinguiſhed in the weſt. The Biſſhop of Rome, began by little and little to gather to him no ſmal power and poſſeſſions, by the authorytie which he toke vpō him vnderunder the pretence of Chryſt and the Apoſtles Peter and Paule, tyll ſuch time as he began to reygne alſo.The falle of tholde Empire is the ryſyng of a new. But tholde Popes, his predeceſſours, wer not Princes in the Churche, ruling vnderunder pretence of Religion: but were miniſters of the churche, ſimple paſtours and poore. And Saint Paule prophecied, that of the ruine of the Empire, and deſtruction of the citie, Antichriſt ſhulde ſpryng vp. For he ſayd, only this holdyng now (or, only thys let that now deteyneth) tyll it come to paſſe that it be taken a waye, and then ſhall that wicked be reuayled. He ſignifye… therfore that Antichriſt ſhuld not reygne, com, nor appere, before tha… olde Romane empire were taken away. For this being ouerthrowē, that the ſame See of Rome ſhulde be erected. For Tertullian, who lyued a thouſand and three huddreth yeres paſt, in hys boke of the reſurrection of the fleſhe: Who, ſayeth he, ſhall be taken out of the way, but ye ſtate of Rome? whoſe departing, being diſperſed in to ten kings, ſhall bryng in Antichriſt. And. S. Hierom in the .xi. queſtion to Algaſia. The Romane Empire, ſayth he, which now poſſeſſeth al natyons, depart and ſhalbe taken away: and then ſhal Antichriſt come, the welſpryng of iniquitie. The ſame authours, by Babylon in this boke of. S. Iohn,The two horned beaſt. vnderſtand Roome. And Iohn hym ſelfe in this boke ſheweth, that the ſeuen headed and mighty olde empire of Rome, being taken away, an other beaſte ſhal aryſe, and that with two hornes: that is to witte ſuche a Prynce, whyche ſhall chalenge to hymſelfe, a double rule or kingdome, fulnes, I ſay, of power, aſwell in thynges ſpirituall as temporall. And this ſame doth the whole worlde at thys daye acknowledge to be the Byſhop of Rome, decked with his triple crowne (vndoubtedly of the three hornes, which accordyng to the prophecie of Daniell,Daniel .vii. eyther brought lowe, or toke away this baſe & contemned horne and Armed with two keyes, ſignifieng hym to be king and Byſhop, the moſt myghty Monarke, in matters ſpiritual & temporall, Chriſtes vicar in earthe, hauyng full power in Heauen and in earth. He hym ſelfe in tymes paſt, cauſed men to ſet vp the Image of the beaſt: that is, to ſet vp a new empire, after the Image and the Imitation of the olde Romane Empire. Whych thing after it was begon in Charles the great, a right noble prince, and furthermore auaū ced, and commen from the kings of Fraunce, to the Germans, which in dede were ſtoute, Godly, and worthye Prynces. The Byſhop of Rome was not aſhamed in ſtraunge wiſe to vexe, trouble, excomunicate, depoſe, and to ſubſtitute others in theyr place, & to ſtyre vp wars in many Realmes at ones, and ſet them together by the eares, ſo long till thoſe kynges did frame themſelues after hys wyll and appetyte, and wolde fall downe to kiſſe hys fete: And he hym ſelfe at the length toke vpō him thempire, & publiſhing his decrees to the whole world, boaſted hymſelfe to be the Monarche, or ſoule ruler of the world, who myght at hys pleaſure bothe depoſe kinges, and ſet them vp in kyngdomes: Finally, that he was ſupreme iudg in earth, whych may iudg al men, but he hym ſelfe, may in nowyſe be iudged of any man. Therfore lyke as in tholde empire, we ſequeſtred from the cōmunion of the beaſtes all good men, which were, or liued vnderunder thempire: ſo in this new alſo we do alwayes except the graue and witty, the good & godly men, and al religious people, which mixed among them, not only abyde ſtyll in Chryſt, but alſo eyther abhorre and comtemne the beaſt, or to theyr power fight againſt him:The Characte of the beaſte. Wherby they come not in the accompt of the beaſt. And this two horned beaſt, marketh his worſhippers with a Characte: And thoſe that refuſe thys characte, he excommunicateth out of al mens company, ſo that it is lawful for them, neither to by nor ſel: Yea more he condemneth them for hereticks & ſchiſmaticks, for damned and loſt creatures. If thou confeſſe thy ſelf now to be a Chriſtian, and profeſſe with a ſyncere and loyall hart the belefe or crede of the Apoſtles, & one holy church of Chriſt and of al ſaincts, and doſt not aboue all thinges confeſſe the Pope to be Chryſtes vicar in earth, with the fulnes of power, and the Romiſh churche, which is the mother of all churches, and can not erre: thou ſhalte ſeme as yet to hauehave confeſſed nothyng, but ſhalt be ſayed rather to be ſuſpected of hereſy, and therfore to be more ſtraytely examined. This thing can not be diſſembled, for it is knowen to all men in the whole world. But to thintent, we ſhuld not erre in a matter ſo nedefull to be knowen, and that we might more eaſely flee Antichriſt once knowne.The nombre of the name of the beaſte. S. Iohn alſo addeth the nomber of the name of the beaſt, 666: by the whiche we verely come to the name, or knowledg of Antichriſt. For if we accōpt from the ſettyng forth of the Apocalips, ſyxe hundreth threſcore & ſyxe yeres, we ſhal come to the yeare of our Lord .763. To the ſame time, I ſay wherin the Biſhop of Rome, forgettyng his humilitie, ſimplicicitie, pouertie and alſo his office and miniſterie, ſet his mynd to beare rule, and receyued exceading great rewards of king Pipine and of other Princes, and prepared him ſelfe away, wherby afterward he climeth to the high dignitie of thempire. Which thynge in the worke it ſelfe ſhall appere more playnely out of hiſtoryes.
And as he did once or twiſe before, ſo now alſo. S. Iohn after the Apoſtolicke maner comforteth the afflicted and faithfull Churche, leaſt haply in this diſtreſſe and continuall perſecutions of Antichriſte it ſhoulde falle,Comforte. Chap. xiiij. and ſhoulde thinke that religion and the church were cleane forſaken. He ſheweth therfore, howe cruelly ſo euer bothe the ten horned beaſte and the two horned beaſte do rage, yet ſtondeth the lambe neuertheleſſe in mounte Sion, not as the Dragon in the ſāde: And that Chriſt, hath in this wicked worlde polluted of Antichriſt, his choſen churche, which he will moſte faithfully preſerue euermore and mainteyne, he addeth, that howe muche ſo euer the beaſt coueteth to hauehave the ſacred and holye preachinge of the Goſpell oppreſſed, the Goſpell ſhal neuertheleſſe be preached, and that clerely, and that Babylon ſhall certenly falle, and the churche of Chriſte be eſtabliſhed. He addeth moreouer for a comforte, that the ſoules of Saints that at in daunger or ſuffer for Chriſte, do aſſuredly and ſtreightwaye flitte from this corporall death to eternall lyfe. Agayne, that the Lorde is ready to take vengeaunce of all his enemies, & to requyte them aboū dantly, which he ſheweth trymly by ye parables of vintage & harueſt.
Of the rewards &, puniſhments of good & euyll.And theſe things handled on this wyſe, he procedeth to declare dilligently, not the laſte place of thys booke, of thendes of good and euyll, men, of moſte ample rewardes to be geuen to the worſhyppers of Chriſte, and of moſte greuouſe paines and tormentes to be inflicted to the adherentes of Antichriſt. Men of no ſmalle eſtimation ſticke in theſe things doubtefull, and the common people herin erre more than ſhamefully: whileſt for the preſent felicitie of the wicked and continuall miſerie of the Godly they doubte whether paynes be appoynted for the wycked, or ſo greate rewardes for the godly. For euen for thys cauſe fewe kepe theyr ſtandynge, and more laugh at Chryſte and hys woorde, and imbrace the preſente pleaſures of thys preſent woorlde, followynge the more happie and victoriouſe parte.
Chap. xv. Seuen vials.Therfore bleſſed Saint Iohn, not wythout cauſe (the Lorde commaundinge him) beſtoweth very muche diligence in declaringe theſe thyngs exactely. And firſte after hys maner he bringeth foorthe ſeuen Aungels, hauynge cuppes of the plages of God, and thaungels come out of the temple: ſignifienge the iudgements of God in puniſſhynge the wycked to be moſt ryghtuouſe. And the ſeuenth nombre comprehendeth agayne all maner, and the moſt ful plages of God. The Aungels powre out theſe vialles vponupon the Antichriſtianes,Chap. xvi. the enemies of Gods woorde, and the hard harted that can not repente. For God moſte rightuouſe plageth the impenitēt woorlde with ſondry tormentes: reſeruinge yet more greuouſe then theſe, to puniſhe them in the woorld to come.Chap. xvij. But eſpecially he exhibiteth the iudgement that is to witte, the puniſhement of the harlot in pourple, I meane of the Pope and the beaſte, to be ſene. Firſte he brought foorth an honeſte and noble matrone, to witte, the very ſpouſe of Chryſte: Nowe as it wer by oppoſition he ſetteth againſt her a proude whore, that falſe newe ſtart vp Romiſhe Churche, who extollinge her ſelfe braggeth more of her outwarde apparell then of inwarde furniture. And he affirmeth that ſhe ſhall periſh for her greate offences, lyke as it is euident that tholde beaſte was torne in pieces and burnt. And that ſtrompet that is called the whore of Babilō, ſitteth on the beaſte. For Rome is the ſeate of the ſame church that is called both the Romane and moſt holy church. Wherby all men maye ſee that S. Iohn hath ſpoken ſo ſkylfully, that he hath as it were pointed with the fingarre (as they comonly ſaye) whom he meaneth, and of whō he ſpeaketh, doubtles thauncient wryters, as I tolde you a little before, vnderſtoode by Babylon Rome it ſelfe. But afterwarde he diſcourſeth at length the deſtruction of Babylon wyth a maruelouſe plentye of playne woordes, as it were powringe out a certen fludde of eloquēce:Chap. xviij. and compendiouſly collectynge all amplifications and figures that beautifie the ſpeache, which are any where to be founde amonges the Prophets. But by the way he placeth among theſe, certen moſt pleaſant thyngs of the mariage of the lambe,Chap. xix. and of the bryde preparynge her ſelfe to the mariage, and of the certenty of the ſaluation of ye godly and what maner a thinge that bleſſed felicity is. Whiche finiſhed, he deſcendeth immediately to ye ſame laſte iudgement, whiche I ſuppoſe is no where els in the whole ſcripture, as it is here not only ſo deſcribed, but alſo painted out with liuely couloures. For here is deſcribed the perſone of the Iudge comynge to Iudgement with his ſaints & with greate power and gloryes. There ſtonde againſt him the ranks of his enemies breathing moſt cruell thinges againſte the Saints of God. By and by ſuccedeth the moſt terrible iudgement, but yet moſt iuſte. For the falſe prophet is throwen downe into hell, downe is the beaſte throwen, and down are caſt all wycked and impenitent perſons. There is ſhewed here moreouer the iuſtice and equitie of thys vniuerſall Iudgement in thende of the worlde,Chap. xx. wherin is puniſhmēt taken of all perſones of what nation, religion degree or ſtate & ſexe ſo euer they be, that are ſequeſtred and alienated from the true religion of Chriſte. Where both the reſurrection of the dead is touched, and the proceſſe of the whole iudgement, is figured. Herunto he annexeth a moſt ioyfull diſputation of the bleſſed lyfe, ſhewyng firſte generally, what it is, and that it ſhall moſt certenlye be geuen to the faithfull, by the which treatiſe moſt ſtrongely is beaten downe the diſtruſte or diffidence that is naturally greffed in vsus. After pryuatly and plentifully vnderunder the Type or Image of a moſt beautifull Citie,Chap. xxi. xxij. he ſhadoweth after a ſorte, the place & palace of the bleſſed, omitting vtterly nothing at all, that is either ioyouſe, cōfortable, delectable, or preciouſe, which he affirmeth not to be in ye court celeſtiall moſt aboundantly & worlde without ende. Notwithſtāding we know well inough that touching the ioy to come albeit ſ. Iohn hath hitherto ſpokē neuer ſo largely, yet hath there nothīg be ſayd worthy ſo greate a matter, wher both ye prophetical & Apoſtolicalſcrip. ſaith, yt which the eye hath not ſene, nor ye eare hath hard, nor yet hath aſcended into the harte of man; the ſame hath God prepared for thoſe that louelove him. But thoſe things whiche I hauehave hitherto drawen into an abridgement (the title and concluſion of the woorke omitted, the order of the booke ſhewed alſo by the way). S. Iohn in his Apocalypſe deliuered by Chriſte (as ofte I hauehave ſaid, through the miniſtery of a moſt excellent Aungel, commendeth to the vniuerſall Churche of Chryſt, and chiefly to vsus, in whom thende of the world hathe chaunced: wherin he hath taught nothyng at all contrary to that, which he hath taught in his euangelicall ſtory, and his epiſtles.The doctrin of the Apocalypſe is the apoſtolicall doctrine. Iohn .v. In his ſtory he reſiteth certen thinges, concernynge the perſecutions of the church, by the wordes of our Sauiour Chriſt Of Antechriſt nothing, vnleſſe he ſayd this only, which many vnderſtode to be ſpoken of Antechriſt: I came in my fathers name, and you receyue me not. If an other ſhall come in hys owne name, hym ye wil receyue. In thepiſtle, he touched by the way Antechriſtes matter, & ſayde:1, Ioan.ij. dere children, the laſt tyme is at hand, and as you hauehave hearde, that Antechriſt ſhall come, euen now many Antechriſtes hauehave begon to be. But in this laſt boke of his. S. Iohn toke vpō hym to declare peculiarly, and in dew order and plentifully, ſuch things as oure lord Ieſus Chryſte, had diſtinctly and playnly reuealed to hym of that great Antechriſt, and of the perills and perſecutiōs of the church. And for that cauſe he appereth to hauehave vſed more plētiful copie, and a kind of ſpeach, better furniſhed, more painted, variable and poliſhed: ſo that it is no maruell, though the phraſe of this boke vary ſomewhat from the ſtyle of his other bokes. Wherof we ſhal touche ſomewhat alſo, in this that followeth. In the meane time you wil ſay, there wanteth nothing in this boke, if you way eueryevery thing more dilligently, whiche you ſhulde require of a boke moſte euangelicall and apoſtolicall. We hauehave in the ſame, not only expreſſed, but alſo well expounded the chief articles of our belefe. Moreouer, innumerable places of the prophets are expounded in this boke. For the whiche cauſe this. S. Iohn was called of Iohn Decolampadius,The apocalypſe is the paraphraſis of the Prophets. not without cauſe thexpoſitour of the prophets. And as the Apoſtles had this peculiar to themſelues, to cō firme ſuch thinges as they taught, by the wrytinges of the prophets: So in thexpoſition, of the boke it ſhall appere, that this holy wryter. S, Iohn, hathe either borrowed all his thinges of the ſcriptures, or to beautifie and confirme his writhinges by the ſcripture.What excellent and profitable things ar treated in this boke Bat chiefly this boke of. S. Iohn ſetteth forth the kingdom and prieſthode of oure Lord and ſauioure Ieſus Chriſt, the power, glory, and maieſtie, of his deitie and humanitie, the miſtery and veritie of his redemptiō. And I doubt, whether after the Goſpel there, may be founde in anye other boke of the ſcripture more goodly and more godly & fit deſcriptions of Chryſte. Neither do I deſire, that credit ſhulde be geuen to theſe my wordes, let the triall be made of the thinge it ſelfe. Yea the church alſo, the choſen ſpouſe of Chriſt is painted out moſt beautifully, and ſhe with her vertues and vices is touched, alſo the fall of her, and likewiſe, the reparation and reformation, and the conflict or fight of the ſame: here be moreouer deſcribed the perils, ayde, and victories: that you may ſeme to hauehave herein, an abridgemente of the ſtory of the church. Moreouer, it appereth by this boke what is the true and ſincere doctrine in the church of God, & which is falſe & corrupted. Furthermore it ſheweth vsus alſo ſondry deſcriptions & figuratiōs of matters moſt weyghtie, but firſt and chiefly of that honorable Trinitie, of Chryſt alſo (as I ſaid before) our ſauiour and iudge. Finally protectour and preſident, gouerning all thinges moſt iuſtely & in moſt goodly order for the ſaluation of his choſen, watching ouer his worde, and ouer his church, and miniſters of the ſame: Iuſtifieng alſo, ſanctifieng and preſeruing all the faithfull, in the felowſhip of the churche: Puniſhyng lykewyſe all the wicked, with all ſuperſtition and vngodlynes. Briefly no where neglecting the choſē, no where ſparyng thenemies. Beſides this it ſetteth forth to vsus, the deſcription alſo of the Deuil, & of al his mallice and warre: And ſetteth before oure eyes alſo, the horrible torments, and paynes that they ſuffer in hell. It ſetteth open to vsus heauen it ſelfe, and ſheweth what may be the hope of the faithfull: And affirmeth the true reſurrectiō of al fleſh. In this boke is taught, how great is the grace and mercy of almighty God, howe rightuous he is & true. Here is taught, what is the true repētaunce of the faithfull, here are taught the true good workes of the true faythe, what be the duties of true pietie, and what be the holy exerciſes, dew & to God acceptable of Sainctes in earth. Here are ſhewed alſo moſt diligently thoſe wicked dedes, whiche are to God moſt hatefull. Here is ſhewed moſt plenteouſly, what ſhal at the length be thend of good men and euyll, what ſhal be the ſouerayne felicitie, and what the extreme miſery and infelicitie. In ſomuche that this boke maye euen by the thinge it ſelfe or matter, that it treateth and ſetteth forthe, commende it ſelfe to all godly people, and may ſhew and proue in dede, that it was writtē by the ſpirite of thapoſtle.
Now all theſe matters are ſetforth and handled after the Apoſtolicke maner, and accuſtomed facion of holy ſcripture,By what meane and in what ſort theſe are ſetforth. playne and ful of perſpicuitie. At the beginning God propounded diuine matters, and the which concerned our ſaluation, as it were vnderunder a veale, and vnderunder figures, not to thintente to darken or obſcure them: but rather to vnfolde them and ſet them foorth. For this maner of declaryng inuiſible thyngs, by viſible, is more fit to teache, more mete to moue, more apt for perſpicuitie, and moſt conuenient and ſitting, that things may be more depely imprinted in minde, and the leſſe fall out of the ſame. And therfore we rede that ſondry viſions, were exhibited to the Patriarches, as to Abraham, Iſraell, Ioſeph, Moſes and others. Certes yf you take frō the bokes of the Prophetes, the viſions, parables, and ſundry figures of ſpeache, how much, I pray you, ſhall you leaue of theyr doctryne? emongs theſe, be more notable in viſions, Ezechiel, Daniel, and Zacharie. Neyther is thys maner of teachyng by viſions, parables, and ſundry figures, takē away in the new teſtament, lyke as I hauehave ſhewed els where. The very ſtory of the Goſpel doth figurate and teache moſt thinges by parables. And. S. Iohn himſelf in his Goſpel, is veri much in the mention of light, darknes, of bread, water, of a Sheperd, and ſhepe, and ſuche other lyke. In the meane while I am not ignorant, howe great a difference, there is betwene parables, Metaphores or Allegories, and viſions: But who agayne knoweth not, that in teaching, and ſetting forth of matters the maner of either to be after a ſort al one, and of the ſame effect? For they ſerue for plainnes and perſpicuitie. But let ſuche as think not a miſſe, that Parables taken of earthly things, differ very muche from heauenlye viſions. Conſider, how theſe celeſtial viſions ar exhibited to the Apoſtle. S Iohn, by Chriſt now remayning in heauē, and requiring that his ſeruauntes, hauing theyr mindes lifted vp to heauenly thinges, ſhuld learne to ſauour ſpirituall matters. Where he yet neuertheleſſe hath obſerued plaines and perſpicuitie.The boke is plaine and may be vnderſtand. I ſuppoſe verely this boke to be ſimple and playne to the faithful, that wil read it attētiuely & with deuotion. I graūt that thold expoſitours of this boke hauehave ſticked ful oft in expounding the ſame, & could not alwayes wind thēſelues out: but in the meane ſeaſon it is euident, that the ſame men hauehave ſaid oftner thē once, that hardely ſhuld this boke be vnderſtand before it wer fulfilled. And in dede to thoſe auncient fathers, the viſion of Daniell ſemed vtterly moſt obſcure. But whē ſuch things wer accompliſhed, as he had hid vnderunder figures, there wanted not that ſayde, how he had wrytten a ſtory of things don, and not a prophecie of things to be don. And our lord him ſelf alſo in the Goſpel of S. Matthew. When you ſhall ſee, ſayth he thabomination of deſolation, which was ſpokē of by Daniel the Prophet, ſtāding in the holy place, he that readeth let him vnderſtand. Doth not Eſay alſo in a maner in all his prophecies, after the comming of Chriſt, and moſt of the miſteryes of the kyngdom of God accompliſhed, ſeme likewiſe to hauehave compiled a moſt playn hiſtory? And doubtles, if we reade with diligence this ſame boke of the Apocalips, & confer thoſe things which he ſpeaketh vnderunder a ſhadow, with the ſame that ſtories teſtifie to be done: We ſhall ſay alſo, that he telleth plaine hiſtories. I hauehave verely loued this boke from my youth vpward, I hauehave gladly red in it, & beſtowed much labour, ther vponupon, obſeruing what things it had out of the bokes of ye prophets, & howe the prophecies herof did agree with thother propheſies of ye prophets, & doctrins of the Apoſtls. I hauehave ſearched finally, after the capacitie of my ſklēder wit, diuers ſtories, which I thought to make for ye openyng of the ſence of this prophecie. I hauehave ſearched alſo thopinions of other expoſitours: And hauehave diligentli compared domeſtical matters, which ar don now in our tyme, with this narration of Iohn: of al the which things, and chiefly being ayded by the helpe of God, whiche I called for, I hauehave gathered ſuch things as I now do cōmunicate here to the godly readers. Hereunto came alſo the ſingular learnyng & diligence, and aptnes in expounding the holy ſcriptures of the moſt godly man. D. Theodore Bibliander doctour of Diuinitie in the vniuerſitie of Zurick,Doctour Theodore Bibliander. who thirtine yeres paſt, red openly, and to his greate praiſe, this boke of reuelation: of whō, vnleſſe I wold confeſſe my ſelf to be very much holpē, I were excedingly vnthankful. There remaineth as yet a faithful relation of the ſame, imprinted at Baſyl the yere of our Lord .1545. Wherin he diſpoſeth this boke of. S. Iohn, & geueth a light to it with his ſcoles. And bothe of thold and new that I could get, I hauehave red ouer Aretas, the ſucceſſor of Andreas biſhop of Caſaria,Who hauehave written vponupon the Apocalips. whoſe expoſitions vpō this boke, he allegeth oftner thē once, S. Auſten alſo, biſhop of Hippon, and Primaſius Biſhop of Vtica. Neither hauehave I contemned Thomas of Aquine, nor diſpiſed the ordinary gloſe, as they terme it, of the newer ſort. ſ. Sebaſtian Meter-miniſter of the church of Bernes .xx. yeres ſince, a man of great vertu and learnyng, hath faithfully, and not without great fruite traueled in expowndyng this boke, whoſe commentaries vpō the Apocalips wer imprinted many yeres ſince at Zurick, by my frend Froſchouer. And D. Fraunces Lambart of Auenion, a moſt godly and excellent learned man hath laboured in expoundyng the ſame boke, who had fyrſte red it at Marſepurge, the noble vniuerſitie of Heſſia: And after in the ſame citie he cauſed to be printed and ſetforth, ſeuen bokes of thexpoſition therof, the yere of our Lord .1528, Moreouer, there was imprynted at Wittēberg. in Saxony a commentary vponupon thapocalipſe, written an hundreth yeres paſt, and ſent to D. Luther out of the furthermoſt parts of Germany, namely out of Sarmatia and tartaria, which I red alſo: as likewiſe certen thyngs of D. Leuthers vponupon this boke of Reuelation. And here I may not forget the moſt excellent learned men, and the which hauehave right wel deſerued of learnyng, Eraſmus of Roterdame, and Laurence Valla, who hauehave alſo lefte theyr annotations vponupon thys boke. By all whoſe labours I confeſſe my ſelfe to be very much holpen: whiche I recite franckly for this pourpos, that I would diſſemble nothyng, nor ſeme toffend againſt ciuilitie, or defraud any man wrongfully of his deſerued praiſe: And therfore wold admoniſh the godly, that if I ſeme to any man to hauehave don any thing in this work prayſe worthy, he may know that I hauehave don nothyng without coadiutours: And that he refer thys whole benefite to God thauthor and fountain of all goodnes, & geue hym thanks therfore. And al theſe thinges of myne I propound to be iudged of the godly readers & auditours, that they may take that ſhall ſeme good herin: and where I ſeme to hauehave erred frō the right rule, they may eſchew the ſame. Neyther wil I contend with any man, neither will I enuy better learned, or better exerciſed, wherof ſom hauehave promiſed already commentaryes vpō this boke if they ſhal bring forth better thīgs: yea, I am alwaies ready my ſelf, not only to receiue better thynges, but alſo to geue them thanks that offer the ſame. In the meane ſeaſon I put out my talent, which I hauehave receyued of the Lord, that I may win ſom lucre with it for my Lord. And I beſeche the Lord that he wold proſper it wel, and bleſſe thys my ſimple trafficke.
Here moreouer I take God to witnes, that I hauehave takē this pain, for no priuat hatred towards any man, for no deſire of raylyng,That theſe cō cions are frēdly wretten. nor for any intent to procure any mās diſpleaſure: but ſimply to expound this excellent and right profitable boke of the new Teſtament which hauehave lately with my commentaries ſetforth al the reſidue of the boks of the new Teſtament. And beſides all this, many godly & learned men out of ſondry places, in their letters writtē to me, hauehave required my expoſitiō vpō the Apocalips. To whoſe iudgmēt ſins I gaue very much, I did in dede more eaſely conſent to this editiō. And wherin ye meane time the hatfull cauſe of Antichriſte (as many men cal it) came in the beginnyng of the worke to be handled, I neyther ought, nor myghte diſſemble it.
Moreouer, this is playne, that I hauehave brought forth nothing in this matter, that is new, ſtraung, or hath not ben heard of: nor that I role this ſtone alone. Now al the world crieth out, that no other antichriſt ſhall come into the world, then he that is commen already in the Biſſhops of Rome: Who ſhal in the meane time be ſlaine with the ſword of God, his word in the harts of the faithful, and ſhortly ſhalbe wholy aboliſhed, by the glorious comming of Chriſte vntounto iudgement. If I ſhall ſuppreſſe and conceale this thing, the ſtones wyl cry out. For now is the time fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is cōm…n. Bleſſed, and for euer bleſſed be thoſe,Theldeſt and moſt common doctrine is that the Pope is Antichriſt. Gregory the firſt Pope. that watche and loke for Chriſt vntounto ſaluation. Ireney an holy Biſhop ſayde, a thouſand and foure hundred yeres ſins: Antichriſt where he is but a ſeruaunt, will be worſhipped as God. Tertullian and. S, Hierom, (as I hauehave ſaid now oftner thē once) hauehave expounded this prophecie of. S. Iohn touching Babilon of Rome plainly. Gregory the firſt of that name, who was alſo Biſſhop of Rome, was not affrayd to pronounce openly, that he was the vauntcurour of Antichriſt, that wolde ſuffer him ſelfe to be called the vniuerſal and high Biſhop. But then did the biſhop of Conſtantinople, vſurpe to himſelfe this title, who ran before the latter biſhops of Rome. And in the, xxxv. epiſtle to Iohn Biſhop of Conſtantinople. Al thinges, ſaieth he, that are ſpoken before are don. The king of prid, to wit antichriſt, is at hand: And the which is not lawfull to be ſpokē, An army of prieſtes is prepared for him. For they ſerue in the bande of prid,Arnulphus biſhop of Orleaunce. which wer placed to be guides of humilitie. And theſe things wrote Gregory, nine hundreth & fiftie yeres ſynce. Arnulphus a mā very godly & lerned, Biſhop of Orleance .550. yeres ſince in the coū ſel of Reins, ſpeaking openly of the Biſhop of Rome, brake out at the laſt into theſe wordes. What thinke you him to be that ſitteth in the high ſeat, in the pourple garment, gliſtering with gold, whom, I ſay, think you him to be? Vereli, if he be deſtitute of Charitie, and be puffed vp, & extolled with only knowledg, he is Antichriſt, ſitting in the Temple of God, and boaſting himſelfe, as though he were God. But if he be neyther grounded vponupon charitie, nor yet exalted with knoweledg, he is in the Tēple of God as an Idoll. Thus far he: who ſemeth by theſe his wordes, to hauehave alluded to the places of holy ſcripture. Apocalips .xix.ii. Theſſa. ii. Zacha. xi. S. Barnard. Albeit that by reaſon of the infelicitie of his time, he agreeth not with him ſelfe in all thinges: Yet inueyhed ſo againſt the Pope, biſhops, and clergie of his time, that if any ſhuld at this day, omitting his name, vſe his words, he ſhuld be called the greateſt heriticke that lyueth. Where notwithſtanding al things ar now more corrupted, thē they wer in ye time of ſ. Barnard. His ſermon which he had to the clergie in the counſell of Reines, remayneth. In his bokes of conſideration he is moſte vehement, eſpecially in the .ii. and fourth boke. He liued about the yeare of our Lord .1150. In the yere of our Lord 1240. was ſūmoned a coū ſel of Princes and Biſhops at Regenſpurge,Eberhard biſſhop of Saliſburge. and that for the Tirā ny of biſhops of Rome, moſt greuouſly oppreſſinge the godly Emperour. Friderick the ſecond of that name. In the whiche Eberharde Archebiſhop of Saliſburg ſtanding dp. VnderUnder the Title, fayth he, of the greateſt Biſhop, we perceiue in a Sheperds clothynge, a moſte cruell wolfe, vnleſſe we be blind. Biſhops of Rome hauehave war againſt al Chriſtians, by attempting, diſceyuing, & makyng war vponupon war, waxing great, they kil and murther the pore ſhepe: peace and concord they dryue out of the earth, Ciuile warres, & domeſtical vprores, they coniure out of hell: dayly more and more, they weaken the forces of al men, that they may treade them all vnderunder foote, may deuoure all, and bring all into bondage. Hildebrād an hundreth and threſcore and ten yeres paſt, firſt vnderunder the pretence of religion, layed the foundation of Antichriſtes kingdom: He firſt began this wicked war, which by his ſucceſſours, hath ben continued hitherto. And by and by: The biſhops of Babilon, couet to reigne alone, they can not abide theyre pere, beleue me for my experience, they wil not ceaſe, til hauyng brought thē peroure vnderunder, and the dignitie of the Romane empire diſſolued, & the true paſtours oppreſſed, they may on this wiſe extinguiſh all thinges, tread al thinges vnderunder theyr fete, and ſit in the Temple of God, and be exalted aboue al that is worſhipped. He yt is ſeruaunt of ſeruaunts, ſeketh to be Lord of Lordes, in like caſe as if he were God. He hathe new deuiſes in his hart, that he may eſtabliſh thempire for him ſelfe: He chaungeth the lawes, & ſetteth forth his owne lawes: That loſte man, whom they are wont to cal Antichriſt, polluteth, Robbeth, ſpoileth, defraudeth, ſleyeth, in whoſe forhead is written the name of reproche: I am God, I can not erre: he ſitteth in the temple of god, and ruleth far & nere. And a little after, the maieſtie of ye people of Rome, wherwith in times paſt the world was gouerned, is takin out of the earthe. The kingdome is multiplyed, the gouernment diſperſed into many, cut of, leſſened, I wyl not ſay, rent in pieces. Themperoure, is a vayne calling, & is only a ſhadow. There be ten kings atones, which hauehave parted the world, which in times, was the Romaine empire, not to gouerne it, but to conſume it. The ten hornes (which thing to. S Auſtē ſemed incredible) Turks, Greks, Egiptians, affricans, Spaniards, Frence men, Engliſhmen, Germās, Sicilians, Italians do poſeſſe the Romane prouinces, & in them hauehave diſtroyed the Roman inhabiters: And a little horne hath growen vp vnderunder theſe, that hath eyes and a mouth ſpeaking great things. It hath brought in ſubiection eſpecially three kingdoms of Sicilie, Italy, and Germany, & compelled them to ſerue him, with intollerable tyranny, it vexeth the people of Chriſt, and the ſaincts of God, it confoundeth all thinges, concerning God and man, and attempteth deueliſh things. And the reſidew which is to be red in the .685. leafe in the ſeuenth boke of Auentines cronicles, which in the yere of our Lord .1554. were printed at Ingolſtad, by themperours priuilege, out of the which I wrot word for word al that I hauehave hitherto recited in ye name of Eberhard Archbiſhop of Saliſburge. About the ſame time,Abbot Ioachim. Fraūces Potrarch. liued Abbot Ioachim of Calabria, who likewiſe calleth the Pope, Antichriſte, and ſetforthe thapocalips with prophetical pictures, & ſcolies in Italiā. Fraūces Petrark, a man excellently learned, & moſt worthy mortall fame flouriſhed about the yeare of our Lorde .1350. Who alſo leaſt ſuche wrytyngs behynd hym agaynſt the See of Rome, againſt the court there, and agaynſt the Pope, that yf they wer comparde with theſe things, whych in our tyme .D. Luther wrote moſt bitterly againſt Rome, he may ſeme to be vtterly vāquiſhed of him. In the .xx. epiſtle, he calleth the Popes court, both Babilon, and alſo the whore of Babilon, ſyttyng vponupon the waters, the mother of all Idolatry and fornicatyon. There is moreouer a learned boke of Marſilyus Patauinus,Marſilius Patauinus. writtē for Lewis the .4, Emperour, agaynſt the Pope, wherin he inueyeth ſharply againſt the biſhop of Rome, and his tirannicall lawes. In the ſame age, to wyt two hundreth yeres paſt, flouriſhed alſo Micael Coſenas,Michell Ceſenas. general of the Minories, who openly accuſed the Pope as Antichryſte, and the church and See of Rome as the whore of Babylon dronken with the blod of ſaincts. An hundreth yeres ſince liued Laurence Valla, a gentleman of Rome of a noble houſe, who alſo obiected him ſelf to the Pope and the Romiſh See,Laurence Valla. Hieronimus Sauonarola. for the which cauſe he was dryuen into exile: but of the kyng of Naples, he was honorably receyued. Moreouer, Hieronymus Sauonarola of Farrare. an excellente diuine and Philoſopher in hys time, a man in holynes of lyfe (as he is ſayde of many) notable, preached openly in Italy, that the Pope was Antychiſt: for the whych cauſe he was moſt cruelly burnt at Florēce by Pope Alexander the ſixt. Thys is had yet in the Freſh memorye of men, where it was don about the yere of our lord .1499. Yet Iohn Fraunces Picus, Counte of Mirandula calleth the ſame Sauonarola, an holy prophet. Albeit that Nawclerus ſignyfieth in hys ſtory that he did many thyngs for ambition ſake and for vayne glyrye. And Marſilyus Ficinus attributeth to the ſame Sauonarola the ſpiryte of prophecye, in a certeyn epiſtle, Furthermore. Philippus Cōmines an Hiſtoriographer witneſſeth that he was an holy man, and to hauehave had the ſpiryte of Prophecye. For they ſay how he prophecied of the ſackyng of Florence and Rome, and the reſtauratyon or reformatyon of the church, and of many other thynges that ſhuld chaunce vntounto Italy, whych came to paſſe there in the meane ſeaſon. I remembre, whē I was yonge and followed my ſtudy in ſondry vniuerſityes, to hauehave hearde certen blacke Freers ſay, that Sauonarola prouoked the indygnatyon of Alexander the ſixt, the courte of Rome agaynſt hym by nothing more, then for that he preached againſt them in Italy the Apocalips of S. Iohn. What ſhuld I ſay, that the Waldenſians foure hundreth yeres paſt in Fraunce, Itali, Germany, Boheme, Poland, and in other parts of the world, profeſſing the goſpel of Ieſus Chriſt, accuſed the biſhop of Rome with diuers wrytings, and continual prechings as the verey Antichriſt, prophecied by. S. Iohn thapoſtle and therfore to be abhorred. They themſelues beyng put to moſt greuous torments, hauehave conſtantly teſtifyed theyr fayth by gloryous martyrdoms, and ſtil do at this day. For they could neuer be roted out, which thing notwithſtanding hathe ben full oft attempted by moſt myghtye kings and princes, inſpired by the biſhop of Rome, the wyl of God be…g otherwiſe. But why rehearſe I theſe thynges, ſynce thys yeare 1556. was printed at Baſill, a regiſter of the witneſſes of the veritie,All good men at all times hauehave ſpoken againſt the pope which before our time, hauehave ſpoke againſt the Pope, wherof the nomber in dede is great, and the more parte of them called the Byſhop of Rome, with out any prouerbe, that Antichriſt, which ſhuld come into the world? Therfore it is manyfeſt, that I in this my worke brynge forthe no vnwonted thing, or that hathe not ben heard of before, wher now we do plainly vnderſtand that this ſong hath in ſo many ages b… ſongen, written, painted, printed, and beaten in of the beſt, holyeſt, and moſt excellently learned men, yea and confirmed to, with the vnmeaſurable bloud of martirs. Furthermore, yf any remayne that be deſirous of good thinges emongs the biſhops or prelates of the churche, & in the clergie it ſelfe, let thē not be offended with me, in caſe any where in expounding the Apocalips, I bryng foorth theyr ſayings & doings, and compare thē with the Apoſtls words: Let them rather be …ipleaſed with theyr owne wordes and dedes ſpoken and done …eſydes and againſt Gods word, Let them leaue doing that they do: Yea,Daniel .xii. let them do penaunce, ſo ſhall they hauehave prayſe in the churche of Saincts. But yf they hold on euen againſt their conſcience to defend and maintayne their kinde of lyfe, theyr pleaſures, theyr riches, theyr honours & dignities, and to accuſe, perſecute and murther the preachers yf the veritie, as enemies of the church: let them take hede, it chaunce not to thē ſodenly, that the Goſpel reſiteth, of the dronkē ſeruaunt,Math. xxiiii. who did vexe and beate his fellow ſeruaunts: but was of the chief Lord him ſelf oppreſſed, when he thought leaſt of it, and hewen al to pieces.
But yf there were euer any tyme heretofore,Thapocalips in oure tyme is not only profitable but neceſſary. wherin it behoued to ſetforth, to vrge, and beate in this doctryne to al the people. This is chiefly neceſſary to be don in this our tyme. For this age of ours hath in the Popes kingdom, ſharpe and quick wittes, which cōmend with maruelous prayſes, both the Pope and the popiſh church, & perſwade and dryue into the heads of the ſort vnlearned, cleane contrary things to theuangelical and Apoſtolicall doctryne. Moreouer they hauehave wō derfull crafts, wherwith the wittier number are alſo diſceaued. They hauehave welth and riches, authoritie, armure, munitiō, threatnings, promeſſes and torments, wherby ſome ſtrong alſo are made wery, and ar hal…d away to the popiſh parte. There be many without experience, whych eſteme not this thing as it ought to be eſtemed, ſuche care not, nor paſſe not what religion be preached, whether it be euangelicall or popiſh, or what thynge be of eyther beleued, or not beleued. For they ſuppoſe all theſe things to concerne them nothyng. In the meane ſeaſon many periſh and are in daunger, not a few fall away, diuerſe ſtick in perplexitie, and the kingdom of Chriſt is abbreuiated. For the papiſtes omit nothing, which may make for reparing of theyr kingdom, and pullyng downe of the kingdome of Chriſt. Therfore where theſe fellowes ſpare in this caſe, nether paines nor coſt, that they may conuerte all thynges to oppreſſe the faythe of the Goſpell, and to dryue the ſympler ſorte to forſake it: We oughte not to ſuffer that the Churche, and the ſymple people afflycted and tempted in the ſame, ſhulde want that comfort, admonition, and doctryne, which in tymes paſt the lord Ieſus him ſelf by S. Iohn, hath prepared for theſe hard things & times, by reuealing this Apocalips. And in dede theſe things here hauehave a ſingular grace and vertu, which ar reuealed to vsus of God. Neyther ſhal the aduerſary and enemy of Chriſt be ouerthrowē with any corporal weapons, ſaue only with the ſword of Gods word. For now it is nedeful that antichriſt ſhuld waxe vile, & periſh in the minds of men, that Chriſt alone might liue again, and be glorified for euer.
And thys my expoſition I hauehave diuided into ſermones, bothe for that I hauehave nowe,Conefonsor ſermones. theſe yeares of a .1555. and .1556. expounded thys boke to the faithful church of Chriſt, which I ſerue, making in a maner theſe ſame ſermons to the people: and alſo that being requeſted, I wold deliuer ſom copy, to ſuch as wil read and expound the ſame boke to the churches committed to their credit alſo. Where not withſtanding I admoniſh the readers, that they loke not for all thines of thys my work: or think that theſe things are to be rehearſed word for word to theyr auditours. For certen thinges, which I propounded to the people for the conſideration of the time and place, I hauehave not ſetforth in theſe my ſermons, ſtudieng much, for breuitie: And other thynges, namely ſuch as concerne the conferring of tongs, and the kind & maner of ſpeakyng, and ſuch other lyke, I reherſed not to the congregation: but hauehave written them here in my ſermons, to the profit of thoſe that wyl confer theſe things together more dilligētly. It ſhal be the part of the preacher to hauehave a reſpect chiefly to ſuch thynges as make both for the plaines of ſpeache, that he may be vnderſtand, euen of the groſſeſt ſort: and alſo for the edifyeng of the audience, that he brynge nothyng, that ſhuld little profit. Let eueryevery man therfore applye theſe things to the edifieng of the church where he is, hauing conſideratiō of the place, time, and perſons: Yet alwayes obſeruing the true ſence of the boke or of Gods words. For violēt wreſtings, and long digreſſions far from the pourpos, deſerue no prayſe in preachynge: or what tyme ſwaruing ouer muche from the playne ſence of the ſcripture, we boult out I wot not what myſteryes.
The dedicating of the worke.And all this work compiled not without my great labour & trauel, but chiefly by the grace of God, to the glory of Ieſu Chryſte, and written to the ſaluation and confirmation of his afflicted churche, I dedicate to you baniſhed men, as many of you as comyng or driuē out of Fraunce, England, Italy, & other realmes and nations for Ieſus Chriſt and the goſpels ſake, dwel in Germany, Swiſſerland, & other places, where God hath permitted you: And alſo I dedicate this my worke to all you, which diſperſed in ſondry realmes and nations, are conſecrated only to Chriſt our Lorde, loking for his coming to iudgement, In the which we ſhall vndoubtedly be delyuered at the laſt frō all euils, and then ſhall be made that long loked for, and in al ages and moſt fortunate reſtitution, moſt expreſſely & conſtantly promiſed, both of the prophets and Apoſtles.Actes .iii. And ſurely your Godly zeale, baniſhed brethern, which had rather forſake your countrey, then the Goſpell, & to want your temporal cōmodities, then to be polluted with a religiō eſtraunged from Chriſte, deſerueth no ſmall prayſe.Iames .i. Math. xxiiij But you hauehave nede of conſtancie, and wonderfull patience, that after you hauehave ben tried, you may receyue the crowne of lyfe, which the Lorde hath promiſed to them which perſeuer vntounto thende. The heauenly regeneration doeth not ſo chaunge vsus, but that ſome doubtefull & trouble ſome dregges of olde Adam remayne. Therfore alwayes the regenerated fele ſundry temptations, and harde conflicts: then eſpeciallye, when ſuche things chaunce as they had leaſte looked for. The godly therfore had euermore nede of conſolation. But this booke of the Apocalypſe doeth miniſter the ſame with greate plentie: whiche if you wyll reade ouer diligently, you ſhall finde all things that happen to you, & that vexe you nowe with painefulnes, to hauehave ben already ſo prophecied in this boke, as they nowe come to paſſe. Whereunto are added oftentymes moſt comfortable and ſwete conſolations. Moreouer ye are not ignoraunte right honorable and dere bretherne, what chaūced to oure fathers the holyeſte of all others. Howe they wandered in manſions vncerten, and howe they demeaned them ſelues in thoſe moſt paynefull flittings, you vnderſtande me to ſpeake of Abraham, Iſaac, and Iacob, and Ioſeph: whoſe peregrinations out of Chaldey into Paleſtine, from thence into Egypt, and agayne into Paleſtine, & from thence againe into Syria, and agayn into Paleſtine & Egypte, are well knowen to the whole worlde. Nowe what banniſhements and perills abode that woorthie ſeruaūt of God and moſt excellēt prophet Moſes, is not vnknowen ſo much as to thoſe that be ignoraunte in matters of antiquitie. Whoſe faith the veſſell of election S. Paule commendynge: By faith (ſaith he) Moſes when he was greate,Heb. xij refuſed to be called the ſonne of Pharaos daughter: And choſe rather to ſuffer aduerſitie with the people of God, then to in ioye the pleaſures of ſinne for a ſeaſon: And eſtemed the rebuke of Chriſte greater richeſſe, then the treaſures of Egypte, for he had reſpecte vntounto the rewarde. What ſhall we ſaye that our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte hym ſelfe was conſtreyned in his infancie to flee into Egypte, euen from hys ſwaddlynge cloutes teachinge his to ſuffer exile: who is red alſo in the Goſpell to hauehave ſayed: Foxes hauehave holes, and the byrdes thayre hauehave neſtes. But the ſonne of man hath not wher on to reſte his head.Dan. xi. Of Antechriſte we reade in dede that Daniel prophecied: whom who ſo will acknowledge, he will promote him to greate honours and make him the lorde of many, and ſhall diſtribute the earth for mony. Contrarywiſe we ſhall heare in the .xii. chapter of this Booke, that both Chriſte and the Churche his ſpouſe, ſuffer greuouſe perſecutiō of the dragō: That Chriſt is takē vp into heauē, a bleſſed hath opened heauē alſo for ye fartheful: And there ſheweth a place permanēt countrey, to them that hauehave in maner no habitation in earth. From thence he will come to Iudge the quicke and dead, and to aſſumpte vntounto hym the faithfull into ioye euerlaſtynge, and to geue them what thyngs ſo euer he him ſelfe in the Goſpell and the Prrphets and Apoſtles hauehave promyſed. Of ye which moſt …mple hope this boke of Apocalypſe moſt plentifully and goodly diſcourſeth, inſtructyng all that deſyre to heare certayne things and moſt full of comforte vntounto all you therfore exiles and godly throughout the whole worlde, deſyringe the comynge of Chriſte our Lorde and iudge of all, I offer and cōmende and dedicate this my labour. Receyue it with louing minds: which I ſetfoorthe to non other ende but that (fleenge Antichriſte) you ſhoulde cleaue to Chriſte alone, fixinge all your truſte in him alone, where we loke already from heauen for the ſelfe ſame Lorde,Philip. iij. whiche ſhall chaunge our vile bodye, that it maye be lyke faſhioned vntounto his gloryouſe bodye, accordynge to the woorkynge, whereby he is able to ſubdew all thinges to hym ſelfe, he bleſſe vsus all, and brynge vsus in that daye, into the ſight of hys father: that we maye ſee hys glorye, whych he had before thys woorlde was made, to him alone be glorye.
From Zurick, the monethmonth of Ianuarie, in the yere of our Lorde. 1557.