A17183:1114
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.
Last of all, it is manifest that to 1deny the truth, thereby to escape persecution, is not the way to keep our wealth and quiet state, but rather the means to loose them, yea, by so doing we are made infamous to all good men of every age and nation. For we see that they, which would not for Christ and the cause of his trueth hazard their riches, but chose rather by dissimulation and renouncing of the truth to keep their worldly wealth, did retain for ever, infamous reproach, and daily augment most terrible torments, which vexed horribly their guilty conscience, loosing nevertheless in the devils name y• wealth, which they would not once hazard in the cause of their Saviour. But they on y• other side, which jeoparded themselves and all their substance in the quarrel of Christ, despising manfully all dangers that could happen, did always find a sweet and pleasant comfort, which strengthened the minds of their afflicted bodies. For they cry with the Apostle: We have learned in whatsoever estate we are, therewith to be content. We know how to be low, we know also how to exceed: every where and in all things we are instructed both to be full, and to be hungry, both to have plenty, and to suffer need. We can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth us. They know that the same Apostle hath said: Ye have suffered with joy, the spoiling of your goods, knowing that ye have in heaven a far more excellent substance, which will endure. For the Lord in the Gospel also said, Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath forsaken house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my sake and the Gospels, but he shall receive an hundred fold now at this present with persecutions, and in the world to come eternal life. Mar. 10. So than the Saints and faithful servants of God are oppressed with servitude in this present world: but therewith all they know and consider that the Lord himself became a servant for us men, whereby they, that are servants in this world, are made free thorough Christ, and by terrestrial servitude a way is made to celestial 2liberty. The faithful are exiled or banished their country: but the heathen Poet saith, A valiant hearted man, takes every country for his own. Verily in what place of this world soever we are, we are in exile as banished men.