A17183:460
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 now whereunto belongeth this that is added? The communion 1of Saints? These words are neither read in Cyprian, nor Augustine, nor yet by them expounded. Wherefore it is likely that they were added for the better understanding of that which went before: for that it might appear that the Catholic Church is the fellowship or company of the faithful he added The communion of Saints, as if he should have said, which church is a communion of Saints. Paul ⟨p. 81⟩called them Saints, which for their faith are sanctified by the blood and spirit of God. Also this word Communion is very evident and comfortable. For first the meaning thereof is that betwixt God & us there is a Communion, that is a fellowship & participation, and so consequently a parting betwixt us of all good and heavenly things. And then also we understand, that we are fellows and partakers with all the Saints, that are living either in heaven or on earth. For we are members of them under one head Christ. For the Apostle John saith: That which we have seen and heard we declare unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us, and that your fellowship may be with the father, and his Son Jesus Christ. Hereunto appertaineth that trim similitude of the body & members under one head, which the Apostle Paul handleth at large in deed: but what is he that can worthily enough set forth the great goodness of Gods gift & benefit, in that we are made fellow partners of God, with whom we are most nearly conjoined, and have a part in all his good & heavenly things? what can be more delightful to our ears, then to hear that all yt Saints as well in heaven as in earth, are our brethren, and that we again are men bers, partners and fellows with them? Blessed be God which hath so liberally bestowed his blessing on us in Christ his Son. To this place belongeth the discourse upon the Sacraments, of which, & of the Church, I mean at an other time more fully to entreat. This for the present time is sufficient. For this that I have said doth abundantly enough express & set out the fruit of faith in the father, the Son, & the holy ghost, to wit that we have participation with God, and all the Saints, and that in this fellowship we are sanctified […] all filth or uncleanness, being cleansed and holy in Christ our Lord.
But nowe wherevnto belongeth this that is added? The communion 1