A17183:898
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 it is not convenient that in 1lawful matrimony, any more should be than two alone, to be joined together under one yoke of wedlock. For the use of many wives which our fathers usurped without any blame, may not stablish polygamy for a law among us at the so days. The time of correction is now come to light, and Messiah now is come into the world, who teacheth all rightly, and reformeth things amiss. He therefore hath reduced wedlock to the first prescribed rule & law of matrimony. Two (saith the Lord) shall be one flesh. And the Apostle saith: Let every man have his own wife, and every woman her own husband. The multitude of Solomons concubines therefore, appertain 2not to us. We have not to follow the example of Jacob, who married two sisters. And yet notwithstā ding the word of trueth condemneth not the second, third, or many marriages, which a man maketh when his wife is deceased. For that saying of the Apostle is general to all men, and endureth in all ages: Let them marry, that cannot abstain, for it is better to marry than to burn. Which sentence is taken out of these words in the Gospel: All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. For there are some chaste which were so borne out of their mothers womb: & there are some chaste which were made chaste of men: & there are some chaste which have made themselves chaste for the kingdom of heavens sake: He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. Let him therefore that cannot receive it, marry a wife, so often as necessity compelleth him thereunto.
But it is not conueniente that in 1lawful matrimonie, any more should be than two alone, to be ioyned together vnder one yoake of wedlock. For the vse of many wiues which our fathers vsurped withoute any blame, may not stablish polygamie for a law amonge vs at the so dayes. The time of correction is now come to light, and Messias now is come into the world, who teacheth all rightly, and refourmeth things amisse. He therfore hath reduced wedlocke to the first prescribed rule & lawe of matrimonie. Two (saith the Lord) shalbe one flesh. And the Apostle saith: Let euerie man haue his owne wife, and euerie woman her owne husband. The multitude of Solomons concubines therefore, apperteine 2