A17183:240
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 sense and right exposition of the word of God, and by what manner of means it may be expounded.
Of the sense and right exposition of the worde of God, and by what maner of meanes it may be expounded.
¶ The third Sermon.
¶ The thirde Sermon.
Dearly beloved brethren, I do understand that by means of my doctrine of the word of God, there are risen sundry thoughts in the hearts of many men: yea, and that of some there are sown abroad very ungodly speeches. For some there are, which do suppose that the scriptures, that is the very word of God, is of it self so dark, that it cannot be read with any profit at all. And again some other affirm, that the word plainly delivered by God to mankind, doth stand in need of no exposition. And therefore, say they, that the scriptures ought in deed to be read of all men, but so, that every man may lawfully invent and choose to himself such a sense, as every one shall be persuaded in him self to be most convenient. These fellows do altogether condemn the order received of the Churches, whereby the minister of the church doth expound the Scriptures to the congregation. But I (dearly beloved) if as ye have begun, so ye will go forward to pray to the Lord, do trust by the hope that I have in gods goodness, that I am able plainly to declare, that to the godly the scripture is nothing dark at all, & that the lord his will is altogether to have us understand it. Then that the Scriptures ought always to be expounded. Where also I will teach you the manner, and some ready ways how to interpret the scriptures. The handling of these points shall take away the impediments which drive men from the reading of the word of god, and shall cause the reading & hearing of the word of God to be both wholesome & fruitful.