A17183:254
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.
First since the Apostle Paul would have the exposition of the Scriptures 1to agree fitly, and in every point proportionally with our faith: as it is to be seen in the twelfth to the Romans: And because again in the later epistle to the Corinthians he saith. Seeing then that we have the same spirit of faith (according as it is written, I believed and therefore have I spoken) we also believe and therefore do we speak: Let it therefore be taken for a point of Catholic religion, not to bring in, or admit any thing in our expositions, which others have alleged against the received articles of our faith, contained in the Apostles Creed, and other confessions of the ancient ⟨p. 27⟩fathers. For saith the apostle, in defence of the trueth we can say somewhat, but against the trueth we are able to say nothing. When therefore in the Gospel after S. John we read the saying of the Lord, The father is greater then I, we must think that it is against the articles of our faith to make or admit any equality in the Godhead betwixt the Father and the Son: and therefore, that the Lord his meaning was otherwise then the very words at the first blush do seem to import. Again, when we read this saying of the apostle, It can not be that they which were once illuminated, if they fall away should be renewed again into repentance: Let us not believe that repentance is to be denied to them that fall. For the Catholic Faith is this, that in every place, at every season, so long as we live on this earth, a full pardon of all sins is promised to all men which turn to the Lord. In like manner, when we read that the Lord took bread, and said of the bread, This is my body, let us presently remember that the Articles of our faith do attribute to our Lord the very body of a man, which ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father, from whence it shall come to judge the quick and the dead, and let us think that the Lord speaking of the Sacrament, would have us to expound the words of the Sacrament Sacramentally, and not Transubstantially.
First since the Apostle Paul would haue the exposition of the Scriptures 1to agree fitly, and in euery point proportionally with our fayth: as it is to be seene in the twel•the to the Romanes: And bycause againe in the later epistle to the Corinthians he saith. Seing then that we haue the same spirite of faith (according as it is writen, I beleeued and therefore haue I spoken) we also beleeue and therefore doe we speake: Let it therefore be taken for a point of Catholike religion, not to bring in, or admit any thing in our expositions, which others haue alledged against the receiued articles of our fayth, conteyned in the Apostles Créede, and other cōfessions of the ancient