A17183:772
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.
The Christian Emperors following the example of the ancient kings as of their fathers, did with great 1care provide for the state of true religion in the Church of Christ. Arcadius & Honorius did determine, that so often as matters of religion were ⟨p. 183⟩called in question, the bishops should be summoned to assemble a council. And before them again, the Emperors Gratian, Valentinian, and Theodosius, established a law wherein they declared to the world, what faith and religion they would have all men to receive and retain, to wit the faith and doctrine of S. Peter. In which edict also they proclaimed all them to be heretics, which thought or taught y• contrary: allowing them alone to be called catholics, which did persevere in S. Peters faith. By this we gather that the proper office of y• priests, is to determine of religion by proofs out of the word of God, & that the princes duty is to a•de the priests, in advancement and defence of true religion. But if it happen at any time, that the priests be slack in doing their duty, then is it the princes office by compulsion, to enforce the priests to live orderly according to their profession, and to determine in religion according to the word of God. The Emperor Justinian, in Novellis Con stitut. 3. writing to Epiphanius Archbishop of Constantinople, saith: We have (most reverend Patriarch) assigned to your holiness the disposition of all things that are honest, seemly, and agreeable to the rule of the holy scriptures, touching the appointing & ordering of sacred bishops & reverend clerks. And in the 7. Constitution he saith: We give charge and commandment that no bishop have licence to sell, or make away any immovables, whether it be in houses or lands belonging to the Churches. Again in the 57. Constitution, he forbiddeth to celebrate the holy mysteries in private houses. He addeth the penalty and saith: For the houses wherein it is done shall be confiscate and sold for money, which shall be brought into the Emperors Exchequer. In the 67 Constitution, he chargeth all bishops not to be absent from their Churches: but if they be absent, he willeth that they should receive no commodity or stipend of the provincial stewards, but that their revenue should be employed on y• Churches necessities. In the 123.