A17183:507
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 since I have declared who 1is our neighbour, let us see also in what sort this neighbour of ours ought to be loved. Our neighbour must be loved simply without any coloured deceit, with the very self same love wherewith we love our selves, or that wherewith Christ hath loved us. For in all things we must stand our neighbour in stead, and do him pleasure so far as the law of humanity shall be found to require. In this declaration there are four things more fully to be noted.
Nowe since I haue declared who 1is our neighbor, let vs see also in what sort this neighbour of ours ought to be loued. Our neighbour must be loued simply without any coloured deceipt, with the very selfe same loue wherwith we loue our selues, or that wherwith Christe hath loued vs. For in al things we must stand our neighbour in stéede, and doe him pleasure so farre as the lawe of humanitie shall be founde to require. In this declaration there are foure things more fully to be noted.
- 1Howe our neighbour must be loved.Howe our neighbour must be loued.
First that love of our neighbour 1that is looked for at our hands ought to be so sincere as that it be without all manner guile, deceit and coloured craft. For there are many to be found, that have the skill to talk to their neighbours with sugared tongues, and to make a face as though they loved them, when as in deed they do utterly hate them, meaning nothing else but with fanning words to beguile them, that thereby they may work ⟨p. 96⟩the things that they desire. Paul and John therefore, the Apostles of Christ go about earnestly to sever hypocrisy from love. For Paul saith, Let not your love be feigned. Again, The end of the commandment is love of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and faith not feigned. On the other side, John crieth out saying: My babes let us not love in word nor in tongue, but in deed and in verity. Moreover, in this sincerity we contain a free willing & merry cheerfulness that nothing may seem to be done unwillingly or by compulsion. For Paul saith: Let every man do with a good purpose of mind, not of trouble or necessity. For God requireth a cheerful giver.