A17183:1302
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 meaning of these Sacrifices were that all good benefits are bestowed upon us for Christ his sake, and with those benefits we receive the very good will which we have to serve the Lord.
The meaning of these Sacrifices were that all good benefites are bestowed vppon vs for Christe his sake, and with those benefites wee receiue the very good will whiche wee haue to serue the Lord.
Thus much have I hitherto said touching the Sacrifices of the people of God: not that I have touched every point, but so many only as are of most importance. In these Sacrifices as in a lively action were set forth CHRIST our Lord, his Passion, and the effectual merit of his death: so that we may call, the holy actions of the Sacrifices, Sermons upon the Passion of Christ, and instructions of our redemption by our Lord and Saviour.
Thus much haue I hetherto saide touching the Sacrifices of the people of God: not that I haue touched euery point, but so many onely as are of most importaunce. In these Sacrifices as in a liuely action were set foorthe CHRIST oure Lord, his Passion, and the effectuall merite of his death: so that wee may call, the holy actions of the Sacrifices, Sermons vpon the Passion of Christ, and instructions of our redemption by our Lord and Sauiour.
Now for because we have already 1spoken hitherto of vowed sacrifices, we must here consequently borrow leave for a digression to say somewhat of their usual vows. For vows belong to the Jewish Ceremonies. Of the making, performing, and redeeming of vows there is a large discourse in the law of God, but especially in the 27. of Leviticus. To vow, is to promise any thing with an oath solemnly, either for our own or an others welfare. And therefore a vow was an action referred to God alone, and that too in an holy and a lawful thing. But in vows there was a difference: because vowed things were divided into four kinds. For some times they vowed men, sometimes they vowed other living things, sometimes houses, and sometimes lands or other immovable substance. Again there was a difference in men according to their ages, and after their ages they might be redeemed. for clean living creatures there was no redemption permitted at all. It was free either to leave their houses to the use of the ministry, or else to redeem them with such a sum as the priest should value them at. In lands redemption was sometimes admitted & sometimes not admitted. And in the 30. Chapter of the book of Numbers there is a precise commandment given touching the votaries, when their vows are of force, and when of small effect. Where it is diligently beaten into their heads, that vows lawfully made to God are not to be called back again, but strictly kept & throughly performed. Rash or unlawful vows the Lord did never like off, nor receive.