A17183:775
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.
As for them which object the churches 1privilege, let them know that it is not permitted to any prince, nor any mortal man, to grant privileges contrary to the express commandments and very truth of gods word. S. Paul affirmed that he had power given him to edify but not to destroy. I am the briefer, because I will not stand to prove that they are unworthy of indifferent privileges which are not such as priests and Christ his ministers should be, but are soldiers rather and wicked knaves, full of all kind of mischief. Among other things in the Canon Law Distinct. 40, we find ⟨p. 184⟩this written. See to your selves, brethren, how ye sit upon the seat: for the seat maketh not the priest, but the priest the seat: the place sanctifieth not the man, but the man the place. Every priest is not a holy man, but every holy man is a priest. He that sitteth well upon the seat, receiveth the honour of the seat: but he that sitteth ill upon the seat, doth injury unto the seat. Therefore an evil priest getteth blame by his priest hood, and not any dignity. And thus much thus far touching this matter.
As for them which obiect ye churches 1priuilege, let them knowe that it is not permitted to any prince, nor any mortal man, to graunt priuileges contrarie to the expresse cōmaundemēts and verie truth of gods word. S. Paul affirmed that he had power giuen him to edifie but not to destroy. I am the briefer, because I wil not stād to proue that they are vnworthie of indifferent priuileges which are not such as priestes and Christ his ministers should be, but are souldiers rather and wicked knaues, full of all kind of mischiefe. Amonge other thinges in the Canon Lawe Distinct. 40, wée finde ⟨p. 184⟩this written. See to your selues, bretherne, how ye sitte vppon the seate: for the seat maketh not the priest, but the priest the seate: the place sanctifieth not the man, but the man the place. Euerie priest is not a holie man, but euery holie man is a priest. Hée yt sitteth wel vpon the seate, receiueth ye honour of the seate: but he that sitteth ill vppon the seate, doth iniurie vnto the seate. Therfore an euil priest getteth blame by his priest hoode, and not any dignitie. And thus much thus farre touching this matter.