A17183:232
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.
Furthermore, we must diligently search, whether those traditions do set forward the glory of God, rather then of men, or the safety of the faithful, rather then the private advantage of the Priests. And we must take heed of mens traditions, especially since the Lord saith, In vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines the precepts of men: So that now, the surest way is to cleave to the word of the Lord left to us in the Scriptures, which teacheth abundantly all things that belong to true godliness.
Furthermore, we muste diligently search, whether those traditions do set forward the glory of God, rather then of men, or the safetie of the faythfull, rather then the priuate aduauntage of the Priestes. And we muste take héede of mens traditions, especially since the Lorde sayth, In vaine doe they worship me, teaching doctrines the precepts of men: So that nowe, the surest way is to cleaue to the word of the Lorde lefte to vs in the Scriptures, whiche teacheth aboundantly all thinges that belong to true godlynesse.
It remaineth now for me, to tell 1in what manner of sort, this perfect doctrine of godliness and salvation, I mean, the very word of God ought to be heard of the faithful, to the intent it may be heard with some fruit to profit them abundantly. I will in few words contain it. Let the word of God be heard with great reverence, which of right is due to God him self and godly things. Let it be heard very attentively: with continual prayers between and earnest requests. Let it be heard soberly to our profit, that by it we may become the better, that God by us may be glorified, and not that we go curiously about to search out the hidden counsels of God, or desire to be counted skilful and expert in many matters.
It remayneth nowe for me, to tell 1in what manner of sorte, this perfecte doctrine of godlynesse and saluation, I meane, the very word of God ought to be hearde of the faythfull, to the intent it may be hearde with some fruit to profite them aboundantly. I will in fewe wordes containe it. Let the worde of God be hearde with greate reuerence, whiche of right is due to God him selfe and godly things. Let it be hearde very attentiuely: with continuall prayers betwéene and earnest requestes. Let it be hearde soberly to our profite, that by it we may become the better, that God by vs maye be gloryfied, and not that we go curiously about to search out the hidden counselles of God, or desire to be counted skilfull and experte in many matters.