A17183:527
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.
We understand that the beginning of this law, is not of the corrupt disposition of mankind, but of God him self, who with his finger, writeth in our harts, fasteneth in our nature, and planteth in us a rule to know justice, equity and goodness.
We vnderstande that the beginning of this lawe, is not of the corrupt disposition of mankinde, but of God him selfe, who with his finger, writeth in our harts, fasteneth in our nature, and planteth in vs a rule to knowe iustice, equitie and goodnesse.
Then also the Apostle maketh his second argument, whereby he proveth the Gentiles to be guilty of sin, and this argument he fetcheth from the witness bearing of their conscience. For the conscience being instructed by the law of nature, doth accuse and condemn the evil committed: because this conscience only and alone is in stead of a thousand witnesses. And again, it excuseth, that is, it absolveth and acquiteth them if nothing ⟨p. 102⟩be committed contrary to the law. But although in this present life we do set light by the judgement of our conscience, yet verily we may not then despise or lightly pass over the consciences accusations, when the Lord shall come with justice and equity to judge the world. So then by all this it followeth, that all nations are sinners, whom unless the Son of God, the common and only Saviour and deliverer of all the world do cleanse from their offences, it can not be but that all nations must needs perish in their sins.
Then also the Apostle maketh his seconde argument, wherby he proueth the Gentiles to be guiltie of sinne, and this argument he fetcheth from the witnesse bearing of their conscience. For the conscience being instructed by the lawe of nature, doth accuse and condemne the euill committed: bycause this conscience onely and alone is in stéede of a thousande witnesses. And againe, it excuseth, that is, it absolueth and acquiteth them if nothing ⟨p. 102⟩