A17183:1142
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.
In this law also it seemeth that flattery is forbidden, which, as the 1proverb doth truly say, maketh a fool mad, and causeth him that is mad, to be incurably mad. And therefore Solomon saith, that a flatterer is worthy to be cursed of all men. They (saith he) which say to the wicked thou art just, shall be cursed of the people, and hated of the tribes. And in an other place: The words of a talebearer be as though they were simple, and yet they pierce to the inward parts of the heart. When he speaketh softly believe him not: for there are seven mischiefs in his hart. And therefore in Ecclesiastes it is very well said: It is better to hear the rebuke of a wise man, than the song of a fool. That is, of a flatterer.
In this lawe also it séemeth that flatterie is forbidden, which, as the 1prouerbe doth truely say, maketh a foole madd, and causeth him that is mad, to be incureably mad. And therfore Solomon saith, that a flatterer is worthie to bée cursed of all men. They (sayth he) which say to the wicked thou art iust, shalbe cursed of the people, and hated of the tribes. And in an other place: The woordes of a talebearer bee as thoughe they were simple, and yet they pearce to the inward partes of the heart. When hee speaketh softly beleeue him not: for there are seuen mischiefes in his hart. And therefore in Ecclesiastes it is very well sayd: It is better to heare the rebuke of a wise man, than the songe of a foole. That is, of a flatterer.
- 1FlatteryFlatteri•
And yet, although flattery be so great an evil, it is notwithstanding favoured of all men, so that as an infecting plague, it is crept into the Church, into Princes Palaces, into Judges Courts, and every private house. For like an alluring Mermaid it hath a song that doeth delight our flesh. For we like fools are blinded with self love, and do not mark that flatteries and allurements, do breed our destruction. Ezekiel blameth greatly all flattering Preachers, and sayeth: Woe unto them that lay to the people peace,