A17183:1146
Fifty Godly and Learned Sermons (The Decades)
Fifty godly and learned sermons divided into five decades, containing the chief and principal points of Christian religion, written in three several tomes or sections, by Henry Bullinger minister of the church of Tigure in Switzerland. Whereunto is adjoined a triple or three-fold table very fruitful and necessary. Translated out of Latin into English by H.I. student in divinity.Fiftie godlie and learned sermons diuided into fiue decades, conteyning the chiefe and principall pointes of Christian religion, written in three seuerall tomes or sections, by Henrie Bullinger minister of the churche of Tigure in Swicerlande. Whereunto is adioyned a triple or three-folde table verie fruitefull and necessarie. Translated out of Latine into English by H.I. student in diuinitie.
London: printed by Henry Middleton for Ralph Newberrie, 1577London: printed by Henry Middleton for Ralphe Newberrie, 1577
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.
Let no man, when he is tempted, say that he is tempted of God. For every one is tempted, while he is drawn away, & enticed with the bait of his own concupiscence: then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth •oorth sin, and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death.
Let no man, when he is tempted, say that he is tempted of God. For euery one is tempted, while he is drawen away, & entised with the baite of his owne concupiscence: then when lust hath conceiued, it bringeth •oorth sinne, and sinne when it is finished bringeth forth death.
Concupiscence therefore is a moti-on or affection of the mind which of 1our corrupt nature, doth lust against God and his law, and s••rreth us up to wickedness, although the consent or deed it self doth not presently follow upon our conceit. For if the deed do follow the lust, then doth the sin increase by steps and degrees. For first we must consider the very blotting out or corrupting of the Image of God in us, Original sin, and that disease that lieth hid in our members, which is by use called evil affections. Secondarily, we must consider that it increaseth by our delight and pleasure therein. Thirdly it is augmented if we consent and seek after counsel to commit the crime: and lastly if the consent break forth to the deed doing, than is it greater and greater, according to the qualities of accidents or circumstances. Now all these are reckoned in the number of sins, though by degrees the one of them is greater than the other: touching which I will by Gods sufferance speak somewhat more largely, when I come to the treatise of sin. Wherefore that evil and unlawful affection, which is of our natural corruption, and lieth hid in our nature, but bewrayeth it self in our hearts against the pureness of Gods law and majesty, is that very sin, which is in this law condemned. For although there be some which think that such motions, diseases, blemishes and affections of the mind are no sins, yet God by forbidding them in this law, doeth flatly condemn them. But if any man doubt of this exposition, let him hear the words of the Apostle who saith: I knew not sin but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not lust. Without the law sin was dead: I once lived without law: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I was dead. And again, The affection of the flesh is death, but the affection of the spirit, is life & peace. Because the affection of the flesh is enmity against God: for it is not obedient to the law of God, neither can be. So then they that are