A17183:344
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 I will declare what order I will use in expounding them unto 1you. This whole breviary or abridgement of faith, may be divided into four parts, so that the three first parts may make manifest the mysteries of the three persons in one godhead: and that the fourth may lay forth the fruits of faith, that is to say, what good things we look for by faith, & what good things God bestoweth on them that put their trust in him. And yet this notwithstanding I will proceed herein, even orderly so, as the twelve Articles are placed or set down.
Nowe I will declare what order I will vse in expounding them vnto 1you. This whole breuiatie or abridgement of faythe, may be diuided into foure partes, so that the thrée firste partes may make manifest the misteries of the thrée persons in one godheade: and that the fourth may laye forth the fruits of fayth, that is to say, what good things we looke for by faith, & what good things God bestoweth on them that put their trust in him. And yet this notwithstanding I wil procéed herein, euen orderly so, as the twelue Articles are placed or set downe.
- 1The partition of the Apostles Creed.The partition of the Apostles Creede.
The first article of Christian faith is this. I believe in God the father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And this first Article of the Creed containeth two especial points. For first we say generally, I believe in God. Then we descend particularly to the distinction of the persons and add, The father almighty. For God is one in substance, and three in 1persons. Wherefore understanding the unity of the substance, we say plainly, I believe in God. And again, keeping & not confounding the persons we add, In the father almighty, In Jesus Christ his only Son: And in the holy Ghost. Let us therefore be leeve that God is one, not many, and pure in substance, but three in persons, the Father, the Son, and the holy ghost. For in the law it is written. Hearken Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord.