A17183:532
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.
Pythagoras in S. Cyril's first book Contra Julianum, writeth thus of God. God verily is one: and he too is not 1as some do imagine, without the government of the world, but being wholly in every place of it, doth view all the generations in the whole compass thereof, and is him self the moderation of all ages, the light of his own virtues, the beginning of all works, the light in heaven, the father of all things, the life and quickening of all things, and lastly, the moving of all the circles. See here Pythagoras confesseth that there is but one God, who is the maker, preserver, and governor of all things, the father of all, and the light and life of all things. Zaleucus in the Preface of his laws writeth as followeth. It is necessary that all men, which inhabit any city or region what soever, be throughly persuaded that there are Gods: which is evident to be seen by the contemplation of heaven, and all the world, and by the goodly disposition and order of that that is therein. For it is not convenient to think that these are the works of Fortune or mans ability. Then also the Gods must be worshipped and honoured, as they that are the causes of all good things that are done to us by any manner of means. Every one therefore must do his best to have his mind purely cleansed from all evil. For God is not honoured of a wicked man, he is not worshipped with sumptuous cost, neither is he delighted with the sight of solemn tragedies as a wicked man is, but his delight is in virtue & in a mind that purposeth to do good works and righteousness. Wherefore every one must endeavour him self as much as he may, both to do well and will well, if he desire to have God to his friend. &c. Cicero in his second book De natura deorum, saith: The best worshipping of the Gods and the most holy and pure religion is always to honour them with a pure, perfect, and uncorrupted mind and voice. Seneca also in his fifte book Ad Lucil. sayth. Our usual custom is to teach men how the Gods are to be worshipped. Let us give commandment that on holy days, no man set perchers or taper light before the Gods, for they are much delighted with lights, as men half smouldered have pleasure in smoke. Let us forbid these morning greetings, and solemn knelings at the Temple doors. This more then needing fiddle faddle smacks somewhat of ambition.
Pythagoras in S. Cyrils first booke Contra Iulianum, writeth thus of God. God verily is one: and he too is not 1