A17183:222
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.
There shall again be allowed the bill of divorcement, or putting away of a mans wife, together with sufferance to marry many wives. To these I answer, that in the old Testament we must consider, that some things there are, which are for ever to be observed, and some things which are ceremonial and suffered only till time of amendment. That time of amendment is the time of Christ, who fulfilled the law, and took away the curse of the law.
There shall againe be allowed the byll of diuorcement, or putting away of a mans wife, together with sufferaunce to marrie many wiues. To these I aunswere, that in the olde Testament we muste consider, that some thinges there are, whiche are for euer to be obserued, and some thinges whiche are ceremoniall and suffered onely till time of amendement. That time of amendment is the time of Christe, who fulfilled the lawe, and tooke awaye the curse of the lawe.
The same Christ changed Circumcision into Baptism. He with ⟨p. 16⟩his own only sacrifice made an end of all sacrifices, so that now in stead of all sacrifices, there is left to us that only sacrifice of Christ, wherein also we learn to offer our own very bodies and prayers together with good deeds, as spiritual sacrifices unto God. Christ changed the Priesthood of Aaron for his own, and the Priesthood of all Christians. The Temple of God are we in whom god by his spirit doth dwell. All ceremonies did Christ make void, who also in the nineteen of Matthew did abrogate the bill of divorcement, together with the marriage of many wives. But although these Ceremonies, and some external actions were abrogated and clean taken away by Christ, that we should not be bound unto them: yet notwithstanding, the Scripture which was published touching them, was not taken away or else made void by Christ. For there must for ever be in the Church of Christ a certain testimonial, whereby we may learn what manner of worshippings and figures of Christ they of the old time had. Those worshippings & figures of Christ must we at this day interpret to the Church spiritually, and out of them we must no less then out of the writings of the new Testament preach Christ, forgiveness of sins, and repentance. So then to all Christians are the writings of the old Testament given by God: in like manner as the Apostles writ to all Churches those things which bore the name or title of some particular Congregations.