A17183:204
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.
Now let us go forward to the rest, that is, to add the history of the proceeding 1of the word of God, & by what means it shined ever and anon very clear and brightly unto the world. By and by after the departure, of the holy man Moses out of this world into heaven, the Lord of his bountifulness gave most excellent Prophets unto his Church, which he had chosen to the intent that by it he might reveal his word unto the whole world. And the Prophets were to them of the 2old time, as at this day amongst us are Prophets, Priests, wise men, Preachers, Pastors, Bishops, Doctors or Divines, most skilful in Heavenly things, and given by God to guide the people in the faith. And he whosoever shall read the holy history, will confess, that there flourished of this sort no small number, and those not obscure even until the captivity at Babylon. Amongst whom are reckoned these singular and excellent men, Phinehas, Samuel, Elijah, Heliseus, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. David, & Solomon were both Kings and Prophets. In time of the captivity at Babylon, Daniel & Ezekiel were notably known. After the captivity, flourished among the rest, Zechariah the son of Barachias. Here have I reckoned up a few among many: who although they flourished at sundry times, and that the one a great while after the other, yet did they all with one consent, acknowledge that God spake to the world by Moses, who, God so appointing it, left to the Church in the world, a breviary of true divinity, and a most absolute Sum of the word of God contained in writing. All these Priests, Divines and prophets, in all that they did had an especial eye to the doctrine of Moses. They did also refer all men in cases of faith and religion, to the books of Moses. The law of Moses, which is in deed the Law of God, & 3is most properly called Torah, as it were the guide, and rule of faith, and life, they did diligently beat into the minds of all men. This did they according to the time, persons and place, expound to all men. For all the Priests and Prophets before the incarnation of Christ, did by word of mouth teach the men of their time, godliness and true religion.
Now let vs go forward to the rest, that is, to adde the hystorie of the procéeding 1