A17183:936
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 we do not read that 1any laws were ordained in that age which followed next after the preaching of the Apostles, which did command and prescribe any time and order of fasting, or choice of meats. I will rehearse unto you (dearly beloved) the words of Irenaeus the martyr, which in the Ecclesiastical history of Eusebius, are to be found word for word as they are here set down. The controversy is not only touching Easter day, but also touching the manner of fasting. For some do think that the fast ought to be kept but one day only, other two, other more, and some whole 40. days, so that counting the hours of the night and day, they make a day. Which difference of observing the times, is not now first of all in our age begun, but was brought in a great while ago (as I suppose) of them which did not simply keep that, which was taught from the beginning, but either by negligence or unskilfulness fell afterward into a worser use and custom. And yet notwithstanding, all these though they jarred in the observation of times, were nevertheless and are agreeable with us, neither hath the discord about fasting, broke our concord in faith. Thus much Irenaeus. Moreover, Socrates Constantinopolitanus in the 9. book and 18. Chapter of his tripartite history witnesseth, that about the year of our Lord 453. in the reign of Theodosius the younger, y• same diversity was in the Church, and setteth it down in these words following. Furthermore they have not the same kind of abstinence from meat: For some do altogether abstain from living creatures: some among living creatures do eat fish only: some with fish do feed on fowls also, saying, that they (as Moses saith) have their substance of water: Some are known to abstain from Herbs and eggs: some do feed of 2dry bread only: some not so much as that: some fasting nine hours, do then without difference use any kind of meat: and innumerable customs are found among sundry men. Now the very same Socrates showing his opinion upon that diversity doth say: And for because no ancient writing is found touching this thing, I think that the Apostles left it free to every mans judgement, that every one may work, not by fear or necessity, the thing that is good. Thus far Socrates. The fasts of Christians therefore ought to be free and not bound to 3laws.