A17183:1043
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.
And yet we do not in this treatise make so strict a definition of necessity 1as that thereby we do utterly condemn all pleasure and moderate liberty for sensuality and luxury. For I know that God hath gram ted and given to man, not only the use of necessity, I mean the use of those things, which we as men cannot be without, but also doth allow him all moderate pleasure wherewithal to delight him. Let no man therefore make scruple of conscience in the sweet & pleasant use of earthly goods, as though with that sweet pleasure which he enjoyeth, he sinned against God, but let him which maketh conscience, make it rather in the just and lawful use of those terrestrial riches. For the Lord hath in no place forbidden mirth, joy, and the sweet use of wealth, so far forth that nothing be done undecently, unthankfully, or unrighteously. For the Prophet Jeremiah alluding to yt promises of Gods law contained in the 26. of Leviticus, and the 28. of Deuteronomy saith: They shall come and rejoice in Zion, and shall have plenteousness of goods which the Lord shall give them, namely, in wheat, wine, oil, young sheep and calves, and their soul shall be as a well watered garden, for they shall no more be sorrowful. Then shall the maid rejoice in the dance, yea both young and old folks: For I will turn their sorrow into gladness, and will comfort them and make them merry. I will make drunken the hearts of the priests with fat, and my people shall be filled with my goodness, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 31. Moreover in the 4. Chapter of the third book of kings we read: And under Solomon they increased and were many in number as the sand of the sea, eating and drinking, and making merry. Again in the 8. Chap. of the same book we find: And Solomon made a solemn feast & all Israel with him, a very great congregation, which came together out from among all the people, even from the entering in of Hemath unto the river of Egypt, before the Lord seven days and seven days, that is 14. days in all. Afterward he sent away the people, and they thanked the king, and went unto their tents very joyfully, & with glad hearts, because of all the goodness that the Lord had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people. Like unto this is that which we read in the 8. Chap. of Nehemiah in these words:
And yet wée doe not in this treatise make so stricte a definition of necessitie 1