A17183:1161
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.
The beginning of priesthood among the old people, is derived or brought 1from the creation almost. For they say that in every family the first begotten were always the priests. It is certain that when the first borne of Egypt were flayed, the Lord did by a law consecrate to himself the first begotten of the Israelites. And the preeminence or dignity of the first begotten hath always been very great by the Civil law. The first begotten did always rule and bear the sway in his fathers house, and was as it were a king among his brethren: to the first begotten the inheritance was 2due, to the other brethren were portions given: the first begotten did excel the rest in the dignity of the priesthood. Therefore when Cain and Abel did strive about their birthright, they con tended not about a trifle, but about a matter of very great weight. Whereupon when the mother virgin is said 3in Luke to have borne her first begotten son, let no man think that she was the mother of the second begotten or many sons more. For in that Luke calleth Christ her first begotten son, therein is noted his dignity and excellency. For to Christ our Lord doth belong the kingdom, priesthood, and inheritance. By whose bountiful liberality we are adopted to be his partners both in the kingdom, priesthood, and inheritance of life everlasting and all heavenly things. But to return to our purpose again, the dignity of priesthood among the people of Israel, did of right belong to Reuben, because he was the first begotten. But he by committing detestable incest did loose his right. Next to him therefore was Levi: who also lost that dignity for the sin which he committed in killing the men of Shechem traitorously, and profaning the sacrament of Circumcision. But because the tribe of Levi did behave 4it self manfully, not only in the bringing of the children of Israel out of Egypt, but also in punishing idolaters, I mean, the men that worshipped the golden calf, therefore did they receive the office or dignity of priesthood in reward of their virtue, and at that time were the Levites chosen into the place of the first begotten of all the seed of Israel: For thus we read, And Moses said unto the Levites: Consecrate your hands unto