A17183:389
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.
But there are some that think this assertion to be without lawful proof. For it is not likely that they would wrap a thing once already plainly spoken, immediately after in a darker kind of speech. Nay rather so often as two sentences are joined together that signify both one thing, the latter is always an exposition of the first. But in these two speeches, He was buried, and he descended into hell, the first is the plainer, and the latter the more intricate. Augustine in his 99. Epistle to Evodius, turmoileth himself pitifully in this matter. To Dardanus de Dei praesentia, he writeth that the Lord went into hell, but that he felt no torment. We shall more agreeably to the truth seem to understand this article, if we shall think that the virtue of Christ his death, ⟨p. 66⟩did flow even to them that were dead and profited them too: that is to say that all the Patriarchs and holy men that died before the coming of Christ, were for the death of Christ preserved from death everlasting. As S. Peter also maketh mention, That the Lord went in the spirit, & preached unto the Spirits that were in prison. For verily they by the death of Christ were made to know the sentence of condemnation justly pronounced against them, because when they lived, they believed not with Noah, and them that were with him, in the Saviour that was to come. Or else otherwise by the lower parts or by hell, we understand not the place of punishment appointed for the wicked, but the faithful that are departed, even as all so by the higher parts we understand them that yet are remaining alive. Wherefore the soul of Christ descended into hell, that is to say, it was carried into Abraham's bosom, wherein all the faithful already departed, were gathered together. Therefore when he said to the thief that was crucified with him: This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise, he promised him the fellowship of life and of the blessed souls.
But there are some that thincke this assertion to be without lawful proofe. For it is not lykelie that they would wrappe a thinge once alreadie plainly spoken, immediatlie after in a darker kinde of speach. Nay rather so often as two sentences are ioyned together that signifie both one thing, the latter is alwayes an exposition of the firste. But in these two speaches, Hee was buried, and hee descended into hell, the first is the plainer, and the latter the more intricate. Augustine in his 99. Epistle to Euodius, turmoyleth himselfe pitifullie in this matter. To Dardanus de Dei praesentia, he writeth that the Lord went into hell, but that hee felt no torment. Wée shall more agreably to the truth seeme to vnderstande this article, if wee shal thincke that the vertue of Christe his death,