A17183:459
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.
So then in this Article we confess that all the faithful dispersed through out the whole compass of the earth, and they also that at this time live in heaven, as many I say as are already saved, or shall even until the very end of the world be borne to be saved, are one body, having gotten fellowship and participation with God and a mutual communion among them selves. And for because no man can be made one with God, unless he also be holy & pure, even as God is holy and pure, therefore we believe that the Church 1is holy, that is, that it is sanctified by God the Father in the blood of the Son, and the gift of the holy Ghost. We have heard testimonies enough in the former Sermons. Therefore this one of Paul shall be sufficient which he writeth to the Ephesians. Christ loved the Church, and gave him self for it, to sanctify, and to cleanse it in the fountain of water through the word, to make it unto him self a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle. &c. By which words we understand that the church is called undefiled & altogether clean, not in respect of it self, but because of Christ. For the Church of Christ is so far forth holy as that yet every day 2it doth go forward in profiting, and is never perfect so long as it liveth on the earth. And yet notwithstanding the holiness of it is most absolutely perfect in Christ. Whereunto verily belongeth that notable saying of the Lord. He that is washed, hath no need but to wash his feet only, for he is wholly clean. For the faithful are purely cleansed by Christ, who washeth them with his blood, but yet because the flesh doth strive with the spirit so long as life remaineth on the earth, therefore the godly have need with faith and the holy Ghost to wash and wipe their feet, that is, the relics and spots wherewith they are distained by their daily conversation in this world.
So then in this Article we confesse that all the faithfull dispersed through out the whole compasse of the earth, and they also that at this time liue in heauen, as many I say as are already saued, or shall euen vntill the very end of the worlde be borne to be saued, are one bodye, hauing gotten fellowship and participation with God and a mutuall communion among them selues. And for bycause no man can be made one with God, vnlesse he also be holy & pure, euen as God is holy and pure, therefore we beléeue that the Church 1