A17183:1226
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.
For there are two points or especial 1conditions, contained in this league. The first whereof declareth what God doth promise, and what he will do for his confederates, I mean, what we may look for at his hands. The second comprehendeth the duty of man, which he doth owe to God his confederate and sovereign Prince. Therefore God for his part sayeth, I will be thy God and Saddai, that is, thy fullness and sufficiency: I will, I say, be thy God, and the God of thy seed after thee. God of him self is wholly sufficient to most absolute perfectness and blessedness, neither needeth he the help of any other, since whatsoever is in any place wheresoever, it is ⟨p. 357⟩both of him, & hath abiding by him. God alone sufficeth man, and be alone 2is the giver of all that men desire, or doth belong to perfect felicity. And therefore Saturnus (peradventure by occasion of the word Saddai) took his name among the heathen, and signifieth to suffice or satisfy. For he alone is able to satisfy or suffice all, who is him self very fullness and sufficiency it self. But now God showeth by two arguments that he will be the sufficiency or all in all to the seed of Abraham. For first he saith, To thy seed will I give the land of Canaan. In which promise he comprehendeth all earthly & bodily benefits, to wite, great wealth, felicity, tranquillity, abundance of all things, health, glory, notable victories, and whatsoever else pertaineth to the preservation & temporal happiness of mankind.
For there are two poyntes or especiall 1conditions, conteined in this league. The first whereof declareth what God doth promise, and what hee will doe for his confederates, I meane, what wee maye looke for at his handes. The seconde comprehendeth ye duetie of man, which he doth owe to God his confederate and souereigne Prince. Therefore God for his parte sayeth, I will bee thy God and Saddai, that is, thy fulnesse and sufficiencie: I will, I say, be thy God, and the God of thy séede after thée. God of him selfe is wholly sufficient to moste absolute perfectnesse and blessednesse, neither néedeth hee the helpe of any other, since whatsoeuer is in any place wheresoeuer, it is