A01136:34
A sermon preached at the christening of a certain Jew at LondonA sermon preached at the christening of a certaine Iew at London
A sermon preached at the christening of a certain Jew at London by John Fox. Containing an exposition of the xi. chapter of S. Paul to the Romans. Translated out of Latin into English by James Bell.A sermon preached at the christening of a certaine Iew at London by Iohn Foxe. Conteining an exposition of the xi. chapter of S. Paul to the Romanes. Translated out of Latine into English by Iames Bell.
London: printed by Christopher Barker, 1578
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
I speak (saith he) unto you Gentiles, in as much as I am an Apostle of the Gentiles, I will magnify mine office, &c. Forasmuch as in debating of any matter in question whatsoever, two things are chiefly to be noted, To wit, The person that speaketh, and the matter that is spoken of: we will by Gods assistance prosecute them both at this present. Let us first therefore consider the person of him that speaketh: then, as order of teaching ⟨image 15⟩requireth, the cause whereof he disputeth. As to•ching the cause here debated, as no reasonable man can make any just quarrel to doubt upon, so ought not the famous & well-known authority of the person be defrauded of any his due estimation:1 for what authority can be of more force to purchase credit, or to procure advancement to the function, then the name of an Apostle? And amongst the Apostles them selves also, what one ought to be more entire, and of more credit amongst the Gentiles, then the Apostle Paul? Who if being sent by mans ordinance had come unto us, ought yet to be friendly entertained for his courtesy, so long as he teacheth the sincere trueth.2 But whereas now he is by an especial calling peculiarly assigned, not from men, nor by men, but by Christ Jesus him self, an Apostle to instruct us Gentiles: how much more behoveth us Gentiles his scholars, to attend our own proper schoolmaster and peculiar Apostle, in as much as he was especially called and chosen for this only purpose, as he witnesseth of him self, that we should with all faithful cheerfulness of mind embrace his doctrine? Wherefore proceed on in Gods name, my dear beloved brethren: be ⟨image 15⟩not ashamed of your own schoolmaster, s• thence himself shameth so little to acknowledge us his scholars, as that accounting the same his greatest glory, therein advanceth his office so much the more, because he hath obtained this title to be called an Apostle of the Gentiles: and therefore saith, that he magnifieth his ministry. Which title notwithstanding he boasteth not of upon any vainglorious ostentation, but compelled hereunto through necessity of circumstances only to magnify his function. Neither is this any strange or new kind of doctrine: