A17183:250
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.
For Peter in the second Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, doth expound the xvj. Psalm of Christ his resurrection from the dead. And Philip also doth plainly expound to the noble man of Ethiop the prophecy of Isaiah, whereby he bringeth him to the faith of Christ, and fellowship of the Church. Whosoever doth say that Paul doth not every where interpret the holy Scripture, he hath neither read nor seen the deeds nor writings of Paul. Thus have I, I hope, both plainly & substantially showed, that the word of God ought to be expounded.
For Peter in the seconde Chapter of the Actes of the Apostles, dothe expounde the xvj. Psalme of Christe his resurrection from the deade. And Philip also doth plainely expounde to the noble man of Ethiope the prophesie of Esay, wherby he bringeth him to the fayth of Christe, and fellowship of the Church. Whosoeuer doth say that Paul doth not euery where interpret the holy Scripture, he hath neyther read nor séene the déedes nor writings of Paule. Thus haue I, I hope, both plainly & substantially shewed, that the word of God ought to be expounded.
As for those which cry out against 1the exposition of the Scriptures, and would not have the ministers of the word and Churches, to declare the scriptures in open and solemn audience, neither to apply them to the places, times, states, & persons, their fetch is to seek somewhat else then the honour due unto God. They lead their lives far otherwise, then is comely for godly men. Their talk is wicked, unseemly, & dishonest. Their deeds are mischievous, and heinous offences. And this would they to do without punishment, and therefore desire to have the exposition of the Scriptures to be taken clean away. For if a man do read the words of the Scripture only, not applying it to the states, places, times and persons, it seemeth that he hath not greatly touched their ungodly and wicked life. Therefore, when they cry that Sermons and expositions of the scriptures, ought to be taken a way from among men, and that the Scriptures ought to be read simply without any addition, they mind nothing else but to caste behind them the law of God, to tread under foot all discipline and rebuking of sin, and so to offend freely without punishment: which sort of men the righteous Lord will in his appointed time punish, so much the more grievously, as they do more boldly rebel against their God.