A01136:88
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.
Moreover, whereas the prophet Isaiah doth note here especially,1 the utter taking away of all occasions of warlike fury from amongst worldly men, and of restoring a kingdom of peace, and the same also to be endurable beyond all ages: who doth not see, that by no shift of forged circumstance, these sayings may be translated to your fleshly bondage, sith your selves also (which do believe and expect for an end of this brittle life, & a rising again at the last day as well as we) neither ⟨image 50⟩will ne can deny, but that all manner things in this world, either private or public, must have an end? Then if this be true, how dare ye mortal men flatter your selves with a possession of an immortal kingdom in this world? For that which is immortal, is not limited within any compass of time. Again, by what argument can ye persuade, that the thing which is everlasting, may have a last day and determined end of time? Forasmuch therefore as this kingdom of Messiah and David,2 is pronounced by the mouth of the prophets, to be an everlasting throne, and the peace thereof without all end: you must of necessity yield unto us, that this peace appertaineth not to the external tranquillity of this earthly & terrestrial policy, but to the quiet calm, & peaceable rest of inward conscience & soul, in the sight of almighty God: which peace began then to appear, when as this child was borne: of whom the Angels of heaven did certify the shepherds in their melodious song: Glory be to God on high, and in earth peace, and unto men a good will. Otherwise how will this reason of yours agree in it self, or accord with the Prophets? For if you await as yet for the coming of some warlike ⟨image 50⟩courageous Champion, who having subdued the Empire of the Gentiles, may with fire and sword force a recovery of your country, what shall become of this burning and devouring with fire, all warlike force and tumbling of garments in blood? Where is that Messiah, of whom Isaiah maketh mention,3 which shall proclaim peace, not war, to the Gentiles? Where is that Prince, whose voice shall not he heard to make any noise in the streets? Where is he, that shall not bruise the broken rod? and shall convert the weapons of steel into ashes? On the other side: