A17183:1426
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.
Moreover, so long as the thing signified doeth not decay, and that the shadow only or momentany figure doeth vanish away, it is assuredly certain that the Ceremony doth yet remain in full effect and substance. The whole man doeth live for ever: and yet the things that are temporal or corruptible in him, do perish in death, and are abolished in his clarification.
Moreouer, so long as the thing signified doeth not decaye, and that the shadowe onely or momentanie figure doeth vanish away, it is assuredly certaine that the Ceremonie doth yet remaine in full effecte and substaunce. The whole man doeth liue for euer: and yet the thinges that are temporall or corruptible in him, doe perishe in death, and are abolished in his clarification.
But that all these things may appear 1as clear as the day light, I will particularly run through and touch the more notable sort of Ceremonies. That the priesthood of Aaron is utterly abrogated, it is evident by the words, which the Apostle citeth out of David saying, The Lord hath sworn and will not repent, thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. Christ therefore is the one and only high priest, and that too, an everlasting priest, having an immutable priesthood, which cannot by succession pass from him to any other man or Angel. For he now standing at the right hand of the father in heaven, the very true temple, which was prefigured by the Tabernacle and temple at Jerusalem, doeth make intercession for us, & doth all the offices of an high priest: Of whom the Apostle of Christ S. Paul doeth speak very largely in his Epistle unto the Hebrews This Christ Jesus our high priest hath consecrated all the faithful to be Kings ⟨p. 416⟩and Priests unto himself. And yet notwithstanding he doth ordain ministers of the Church, by doctrine and examples to instruct the Church and to minister the sacraments, I mean not those old & ancient ones, but those which the Lord hath substituted in steed of the old ones. What doctrine they must teach he doth expressly declare. The mystical attire and garments of the priesthood, he neither did commend to his Apostles, nor leave to his Church, but toke them away with all the Ceremonies, that are called the middle wall betwixt she Jews and Gentiles. The Lord himself and his Apostle Paul will have the pastors of the people clad with righteousness and honesty: and do precisely remove the ministers of the Church from superiority and secular affairs. They do also appoint stipends for the ministers to live upon, yet not those which the law allowed them, but such as were most tolerable and convenient for the state and condition of every Church.