A17183:529
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.
But now we come again to the 1law of Nature, of which there are two points especially, for you to be put in mind of. The first is, Acknowledge God and worship him. The second is, Keep or maintain society & friendship among men. Touching the first, we have these words of Christ his Apostle: Whatsoever may be known of God, is manifest among them (to wit, among the Gentiles) for God hath showed it to them. For his invisible things being understood by his works, through the creation of the world are seen, that is, both his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse: because that when they knew God (notwithstanding) they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful. &c.
But nowe we come againe to the 1lawe of Nature, of whiche there are two pointes especially, for you to be put in mynde of. The firste is, Acknowledge God and worship him. The seconde is, Kéepe or mainteine societie & friendship among mē. Touching the first, we haue these wordes of Christ his Apostle: Whatsoeuer may be knowne of God, is manifest among them (to wit, among the Gentiles) for God hath shewed it to thē. For his inuisible thinges being vnderstoode by his workes, throughe the creation of the worlde are seene, that is, both his eternall power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse: bicause that when they knew God (notwithstāding) they glorified him not as God, neyther were thankfull. &c.
- 1Two especial points of the law of nature.
So then the Gentiles knew God, yea, they knew what so ever might 1be known of God. But what teacher had they, or what master? They had God to their master. In what order taught he them, or out of what book? Not out of the written books of Moses, or the Prophets, but out of that great and large book of Nature. For the things that are not seen of God, in which sort are his everlasting eternity, his virtue, power, majesty, goodness and Godhead, those he would have to be esteemed of according to the visible things, that is, the things which he hath created. For Gods eternal Godhead is known by mans creation, by the continual moving of Heaven, and the perpetual course of rivers. For it must needs be, that he is most mighty which sustaineth all these things, which moveth, strengtheneth, and keepeth all things from decay, and which with his beck shakes the whole world. Finally, who doth not see the goodness of him which suffereth the Sun to rise upon the good and the evil? But to what intent revealeth he these things to the Gentiles? To the intent forsooth that they may acknowledge him to be God, that they may glorify and worship him as God, and be thankful to such a benefactor. When therefore they do not this, they are inexcusable and perish deservedly for their unbelief and unthankfulness sake. So then it is manifest, that the law of Nature doth expressly teach that there is a God, which is to be acknowledged, and reverently worshipped.