A17183:1041
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.
Moreover Paul the Apostle saith, that all the creatures of God are good, created to the good and preservation of us men, and biddeth us use them with the fear of God and giving of thanks. And again, Whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. And in another place: Let your manners be far from covetousness, and be content with the things that ye have. For he hath said, I do not forsake nor leave thee, so that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man can do unto me.
Moreouer Paule the Apostle saith, that al the creatures of God are good, created to the good and preseruation of vs men, and biddeth vs vse them with the feare of God and giuing of thanckes. And againe, Whether yee eate or drincke or whatsoeuer ye do, do all to the glorie of God. And in another place: Let your maners bee farre from couetousnes, and bee content with the thinges that yee haue. For he hath said, I do not forsake nor leaue thee, so that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, I wil not feare what man can doe vnto mee.
Let earthly goods also serve our necessity. Now necessity requireth 1a commodious dwelling place, so much victuals as are sufficient: comely apparel, and honest company keeping with our neighbours and equals. Let every man measure and esteem these circumstances, first by his own person, then by his family or household. For an householder must warily provide and foresee that no necessary thing be wanting in his family. Of this care of the householder, there are sundry testimonies of Scripture extant, but especially that of Saint Paul, in the fifth Chapter of his ⟨p. 284⟩first Epistle to Timothy. And here note that by necessity all things are meant which the body or life of man doth necessarily require and stand in need of, and finally whatsoever the honesty and beseeming of every man doth crave or demand. And thus far verily and to this end or purpose it is lawful for any man to lay somewhat up in store against years to come. The man, whose charge is much in keeping a great house, hath need of the more to maintain it withal, and he whose family is not so big needeth so much the less, as his house is the smaller. And one state of life and a greater port becometh a magistrate, when an other countenance and a lower sail beseemeth a private person. But in these cases let every man consider what necessity requireth, not what lust and rioting will egg him unto. Let him think with himself what is seemly and unseemly for one of his degree.