A17183:457
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.
Ecclesia, which word we use for 1the Church is properly an assembly, it is I say where the people are called out or gathered together to hear somewhat touching the affairs of the common weal. In this present treatise it is the company, communion, congregation, multitude, or fellowship of all that profess the name of Christ. Catholic is as much to say as, this fellowship is universal, as that that is extended through all places and ages. For the Church of Christ is not restrained into any corner among the Donatists in Africa: it stretcheth out it self through the compass of the world and unto all ages, and doth contain all the faithful from the first Adam even unto the very last Saint that shall be remaining before the end of the world.
Ecclesia, whiche worde we vse for 1the Churche is properly an assembly, it is I saye where the people are called out or gathered together to heare somewhat touching the affaires of the common weale. In this present treatise it is the company, communion, congregation, multitude, or fellowship of all that professe the name of Christe. Catholique is as muche to say as, this fellowship is vniuersal, as that that is extended throughe all places and ages. For the Churche of Christe is not restrained into any corner among the Donatists in Aphrica: it stretcheth out it selfe throughe the compasse of the world and vnto all ages, and doth conteine all the faithfull from the first Adam euen vnto the very last Saint that shall be remaining before the end of the world.
- 1The Catholic Church.The Catholike Church.
This universal Church hath her particular churches, I mean the church of Adam and of the Patriarchs, the Church of Moses and of the Prophets before the birth of Christ, the Christian Church which is so named of Christ him self, and the Apostolical Church gathered together by the Apostles doctrine in the name of Christ. And finally it containeth these particular Churches, as the Church of Jerusalem, of Antioch, of Alexandria, of Rome, of Asia, of Africa, of Europe, of the East, of the West. &c. And yet all these Churches as it were members of one body under the only head Christ (for Christ alone is the head of his Church not only triumphant, but militant also) do make one only Catholic Church: in which there are not to be found either heresies or schisms: and for that cause is it called the true Church, to wit, of the