A17183:1454
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.
Now also here is added the conclusion of the sentence, Than these necessary things, (that is to say) that ye abstain from things offered to Idols &c. In these words they had an eye unto the sentence of saint James 1the Apostle and brother of the Lord: for he confirming and allowing of Saint Peters opinion touching justification by faith, and the not laying of the law upon the Gentiles necks, doth allege a testimony of scripture out of Amos, who did foretell that the Jews should be cut off because of their sins, and that in their steeds the Gentiles should be taken, among whom the true church of God should be, which was prefigured by the ruin and reparation of Davids tabernacle. The same Prophet did also foretell a reason how, and a cause why the Gentiles should be received into the church, not for Circumcisions sake, nor yet by the help of the law, but by grace through faith. For he saith: The remnant of the men shall seek after the Lord, and all the heathen upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, which doth all this: all these works of God are known to him from before the world began. Lo here, they shall seek the Lord, and shall be received into his fellowship, upon whom his name shall be called. This phrase of speech doeth signify that they which are elect shall be the sons of God. For upon them the name of the Lord is called, which are named the sons of God, and are his elect. Now the whole scripture attributeth that to faith. By faith therefore we are made the members of the church and sons and heirs to God our maker. But if any man do murmur against the counsel of God and say, why doth God so? Let him think that this deed is the deed and work of God, whom it is not lawful for man to gainsay, and all whose works are known from the beginning of the world to have been done in judgement and righteousness: whereupon it doth consequently follow, that this counsel of his is good and righteous, whereby he doth through faith in Christ join to himself and sanctify the heathen nations. Now upon these words of the prophet Saint James (subscribing as it were to Saint Peters opinion) doth gather and infer: Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
Nowe also heere is added the conclusion of the sentence, Than these necessarie things, (that is to say) that ye abstaine from things offered to Idols &c. In these wordes they had an eye vnto the sentence of sainct Iames 1