A17183:538
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 the Gentiles had their religion, their festival days, 1ceremonies, and priests of their religion. Melchizedek, and Jethro were notable priests of the Gentiles. And although Paul doth flatly say, that the things which the Gentiles offered, were not offered to God but to devils: yet notwithstanding, because they had in reverence religion, and holy ceremonies, they did thereby declare that God had printed in the minds of men a familiar knowledge of reverence and religion, which afterward is corrupted by false doctrine and wrong opinions, touching God and his holy service.
Furthermore the Gentiles had their religion, their festiuall dayes, 1ceremonies, and priestes of their religion. Melchizedech, and Iethro were notable priestes of the Gentiles. And although Paule doth flatly say, that the things which the Gentils offered, were not offered to God but to deuils: yet notwithstanding, bycause they had in reuerence religion, and holy ceremonies, they did therby declare that God had printed in the mindes of men a familiar knowledge of reuerence and religion, which afterward is corrupted by false doctrine and wrong opinions, touching God and his holy seruice.
- 14 The Gen••les, keepers of re••gion.4 The Gen••les, kee•ers of re••gion.
For the honouring of Parents and Magistrates, for the bringing up of 1children, and touching the duty of children, there are excellent precepts and sentences of the wiser sort of Gentiles. Hierocles among his other writings, saith: If any man shall call his Parents, certain second, or earthly Gods, he shall not do amiss, considering that for the nigh affinity betwixt us, they ought to be (if it be lawful so to say) more to be honoured of us than the Gods them selves. And it is necessary to be persuaded that we must with a continual readiness of mind do our endeavour, to repay the benefits received at their hands with the like again. And although we shall do very much for them, yet notwithstanding, all will be too little in comparison of that we ought to do. And so forth as followeth: For sooner will the time fail me, then that I can conveniently rehearse this and the like belonging hereunto out of heathen writers: neither did I purpose to reckon up all.