A17183:1088
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.
Let us now see (my reverend brethren) how and in what order the 1godly and sincere worshipper of God, doth behave himself in all calamities and worldly afflictions. His courage quaileth not, but kicketh rather all desperation aside, because he understandeth that he must manfully in faith, bear all sorts of evils. Therefore doth he arm himself with hope, patience, and prayer. There are verily among men some, which so soon as they feel any affliction, do presently cry as the common voice is, That it had been best if they never had been borne, or else destroyed as soon as they were borne. A very wicked saying is this, and not worthy to be heard in a Christian mans mouth. But far more wicked are they which stick not to destroy them selves, rather than by living they would be compelled to suffer any longer some small calamity, or abide the taunts of the open world. And yet on the other side again, men must reject the unsavoury opinion of the Stoics, touching ⟨p. 301⟩their Indolentia or lack of grief. 2Touching which I will recite unto you (dearly beloved) a most excellent discourse of a notable Doctor in the Church of Christ set down in these words following.
Let vs now sée (my reuerend brethren) howe and in what order the 1godly and sincere worshipper of God, doth behaue himselfe in all calamities and worldly afflictions. His courage quayleth not, but kicketh rather all desperation aside, because hee vnderstandeth that hee must manfully in faith, beare al sorts of euils. Therfore doth he arme himselfe with hope, patience, and prayer. There are verily among men some, which so soone as they féele any affliction, do presently crie as the common voyce is, That it had béen best if they neuer had béen borne, or else destroyed assone as they were borne. A verie wicked saying is this, and not worthie to be heard in a Christian mans mouth. But farre more wicked are they which sticke not to destroy them selues, rather than by liuing they would be compelled to suffer any longer some smal calamitie, or abide the tauntes of the open world. And yet on the other side againe, men must reiecte the vnsauerie opinion of the Stoickes, touching