A17183:553
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.
Furthermore, Ecclesiastical laws have their measure & certain marks, beyond which they may not pass, to wit, that nothing be done or received contrary or differing in any jot from the word of God, sounding against charity and comeliness, either in little or much: that lastly this rule of the Apostle may be effectually observed. Let all things be done decently according unto order and to the edification of the Church. If therefore any man shall go about under a coloured 1pretence of ecclesiastical laws to bring in and pop into the mouths of the godly, any superstitious, busy, and unseemly traditions of men, which withal do differ from the Scriptures, their part shall be, first to try that deceit of theirs by the rule of Gods word, and then to reject it.
Furthermore, Ecclesiasticall lawes haue their measure & certain marks, beyond which they may not passe, to wit, that nothing be done or receiued contrarie or differing in any iote from the worde of God, sounding againste charitie and comelinesse, either in little or muche: that lastly this rule of the Apostle may be effectually obserued. Let all thinges be done decently according vnto order and to the edification of the Church. If therefore any man shall goe about vnder a coloured 1pretence of ecclesiastical lawes tobring in and pop into the mouthes of the godly, any superstitious, busie, and vnseemely traditions of men, whiche withal do differ from the Scriptures, their part shall be, first to trie that deceipt of theirs by the rule of Gods worde, and then to reiect it.
- 1Superstitious law••
There remain now the traditions of men, which have their beginning, 1are made and invented of men at their own choice, of some foolish intent, or some fond affection of mankind, contrary or without the holy Scriptures, of which sort you shall find an infinite number of examples, I mean the sects, the dominion, and single life of spiritual men, the rites and sundry fashioned customs used in their Church. Touching all which the Lord in the Gospel, citing the Prophet Isaiah, saith. Why transgress ye the Lords commandment for your own tradition? ye hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you, where he saith. This people cometh nigh unto me with their mouth, and with their lips they honour me, but their heart is far from me: but they worship me in vain, teaching doctrines the precepts of men. The blessed Martyr Cyprian alluding to these words of Christ, Epistolarum lib. 1. epi. 8. saith. It is corrupt, wicked and robbery to the glory of God, what soever is ordained by the giddy madness of mens heads, to the violating of Gods disposition. Depart as far as may be from the infective contagiousness of such fellows, and seek by flight to shun their talk, as warily as an eating canker, or infecting pestilence, for the Lord forewarneth