A17219:52
Questions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the adversaries of the sameQuestions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the aduersaries of the same
Questions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the adversaries of the same: and answered by M. H. Bullinger of Zurick: reduced into .17. common places. Translated into English by John Cox. 1572Questions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the aduersaries of the same: and aunswered by M. H. Bullinger of Zurick: reduced into .17. common places. Translated into Englishe by Iohn Coxe. 1572
London: printed by Henry Bynneman for George Byshop, 1572London: printed by Henrie Bynneman for George Byshop, 1572
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Because it is said, they are not the children of holy men, which occupy the place of holy men, but they which exercise the works of them. We, therefore which govern, ought to be known, not by the Nobleness of birth or of the place, but by the excellency of our manners, not by the famousness of Cities, but by the purity of Faith: The seat maketh not a priest, but a priest maketh the seat: the place sanctifieth not a man, but the man the place: Every priest is not holy: but every one which is holy, is a priest. He that occupieth the seat well, receiveth honour of the same: But he that useth it evil, doth wrong unto the seat.
Bicause it is sayde, they are not the children of holy menne, vvhiche occupie the place of holy men, but they vvhiche exercise the vvoorkes of them. VVee, therefore vvhich gouerne, oughte to be knovvne, not by the Noblenesse of birthe or of the place, but by the excellencie of oure manners, not by the famousnesse of Cities, but by the puritie of Faithe: The seat maketh not a priest, but a priest maketh the seate: the place sanctifieth not a man, but the man the place: Euery priest is not holy: but euery one vvhich is holy, is a prieste. Hee that occupieth the seate vvell, receiueth honoure of the same: But he that vseth it euil, dothe vvrong vnto the seate.
By these words it is manifestly taught that the chair or seat wherein holy Bishops have set, or succession, is nothing worth: except he be also holy, which succeedeth in the place of holy men, imitating the steppes of those, which were before him: but if he be wicked, he then receiveth no honour of the seat, but dishonoureth the same. Wherefore these Prelates may ⟨p. 11⟩now consider what honour they receive by their succession, which daily (to the end they may bring us into contempt) they object against us. The high Priests and Prelates, who in the time of Christ, did set on Moses chair, could have derived the pedigree of their succession from them selves even unto Aaron, but because their life and Doctrine did not agree with the life and1