A17183:378
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.
Moreover his birth is pure. For he was borne of the Virgin, so that together she was a mother, and yet a Virgin too. For Isaiah saith, Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bring forth a son. A Virgin saith he shall do both, Conceive and bring forth, so that nevertheless she may remain a Virgin still. The birth therefore of the Son of God is most pure. Also his birth is a true birth verily and in deed. For he taketh flesh of the substance & womb of the Virgin. In which signification also our Lord Jesus Christ is called the Son of David.
Moreouer his byrth is pure. For hee was borne of the Virgine, so that together shée was a mother, and yet a Virgine too. For Esaias sayth, Beholde a Virgine shall conceiue and bringe forth a sonne. A Virgine sayth hee shall do both, Conceiue and bringe foorth, so that neuerthelesse shée may remaine a Virgine still. The birthe therefore of the sonne of God is moste pure. Also his birthe is a true birth verilie and in deede. For hee taketh fleshe of the substaunce & wombe of the Virgin. In which signification also our Lorde Iesus Christe is called the sonne of Dauid.
He could not be called Davids son, unless he had taken very humane substance of Mary a maid or daughter of the stock of David. Which that the Apostle John might most properly signify and express, he saith: The Word was made flesh. And the Apostle Paul saith: He doth no where take on him the Angels, but the seed of Abraham. And in the same place again he affirmeth: That the Lord was made like to his brethren in all things sin excepted. To the Philippians he saith: When he was equal with God, he made himself of no reputation, taking on him the form of a servant, and made in the likeness of men, and found in figure as a man. Again the Apostle John beareth witness & saith. Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God, and every spirit which confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God. Luke in his 2. Cap. hath at large set forth the manner of his Nativity. And I do mean elsewhere to speak of it at the full. Let us therefore confess that Jesus Christ was conceived by the holy ghost, and borne of the Virgin Mary.