A17183:253
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.
And now (dearly beloved) the 1place and time require us to say somewhat unto you, touching the interpretation of the holy Scriptures, or the exposition of the word of God. Wherein I will not speak any thing particularly, of the skilful knowledge of tongues, or the liberal sciences, which are things requisite in a good interpreter, but will briefly touch the generalities alone. And first of all ye must understand, that some things in the Scriptures or word of God, are so plainly set forth, that they have need of no interpretation, neither will admit any exposition. Which if any man go about with his own expositions to make more manifest, he may seem to do as wittily, as he which with faggot light and torches, would help the sun at his rising to give more light unto the world. As for those things which are so set down, that they seem to require our help to expound them, they must not be interpreted after our own fantasies, but according to the mind and meaning of him, by whom the Scriptures were revealed. For Saint Peter saith, The prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost. Therefore the true and proper sense of Gods word must be taken out of the Scriptures them selves, and not be forcibly thrust upon the Scriptures, as we our selves lust. And therewithal ye must mark a few certain rules, which I mean briefly to touch and to show unto you, in those few words which I have yet to speak.
And nowe (dearely beloued) the 1place and time require vs to say somwhat vnto you, touching the interpretation of the holy Scriptures, or the exposition of the word of God. Wherin I will not speake any thing particularly, of the skilfull knowledge of tongues, or the liberall sciences, which are thinges requisite in a good interpreter, but will briefly touche the generalities alone. And first of al ye must vnderstande, that some things in the Scriptures or worde of God, are so plainly set foorth, that they haue neede of no interpretation, neyther will admit any exposition. Which if any man goe about with his owne expositions to make more manifest, he may séeme to do as wittily, as he which with faggot light and torches, would helpe the sunne at his rising to giue more light vnto the world. As for those thinges which are so set down, that they séeme to require our helpe to expound them, they must not be interpreted after our owne fantasies, but according to the minde and meaning of him, by whom the Scriptures were reuealed. For Saint Peter saythe, The prophesie came not in olde time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moued by the holy Ghost. Therefore the true and proper sense of Gods worde must be taken out of the Scriptures them selues, and not be forceably thruste vpon the Scriptures, as we our selues lust. And therwithal ye must marke a fewe certaine rules, which I meane briefly to touch and to shewe vnto you, in those fewe wordes which I haue yet to speake.