A17183:182
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.
Of the word of God, the cause of it, and how and by whom it was revealed to the world.
Of the worde of God, the cause of it, and howe and by whome it was reuealed to the worlde.
¶ The first Sermon.
All the decrees of Christian faith, with every way how to live rightly, well, and holily, and finally, all true and heavenly wisdom, have always been fetched out of the testimonies or determinate judgements of the word of God: neither can they, by those which are wise men in deed, or by the faithful, and those which are called by God to the ministry of the Churches, be drawn, taught, or last of all, soundly confirmed from else where, then out of the word of God. Therefore, whosoever is ignorant what the word of God, and the meaning of the word of God is, he seemeth to be as one, blind, deaf, and without wit, in the Temple of the Lord, in the school of Christ, and lastly, in the very reading of the sacred Scriptures. But whereas some are nothing zealous, but very hardly drawn to the hearing of Sermons in the Church, that springeth out of no other fountain than this, which is, because they do neither rightly understand, nor diligently enough weigh the virtue, and true force of the word of God. That nothing therefore may cause the zealous desirers of the trueth, and the word of God to stay on this point: but rather that that estimation of Gods word, which is due unto it, may be laid up in all mens hearts, I will (by Gods help) lay forth unto you (dearly beloved) those things, which a godly man ought to think, and hold as concerning the word of God. And pray ye earnestly and continually to our bountiful God, that it may please him to give to me his holy & effectual power to speak, and to you the opening of your ears and minds, so that in all that I shall say, the Lord his name may be praised, and your souls be profited abundantly.