A17183:577
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.
Against this madness is the first part of the law directly given.
Against this madnesse is the first part of the lawe directly giuen.
But now the cause why God will 1not be represented in any visible or sensible image is this. God is a spirit, God is unmeasurable, incomprehensible, unspeakable, all over and every where, filling heaven and earth, eternal, living, giving life unto and preserving all things, and lastly of a glorious majesty exalted above the heavens. But what is he that can portray a spirit in any Image or substance? God is an incomprehensible power, quickening and preserving all and every thing. But David describing Images, saith: The Idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the works of mens hands. They have ears and hear not, noses have they and smell not. They have hands and handle not, feet have they and walk not, neither is there any voice in the throat of them. Wherefore if these be compared to God, how like I beseech you are they unto him? To go about therefore to express God in any visible likeness, is the next way to dishonour God, and to bring him into contempt. Gods eye beholdeth all things, Idols see nothing. Gods ears hear all things, Idols hear nothing. By God all things live, move, and are preserved: the Idols them selves neither live nor move, and unless they be upheld by the men that make them, they fall and are dashed in pieces. An Idol breatheth not: GOD giveth to other a breathing spirit. Howe then, and wherein are these twain alike? In substance, or in shape? If ye say in substance, I answer, is God then of gold, of silver or of wood? If in shape, mine answer is, hath the invisible power of God then, put on visible and mortal members? Howe 2greatly therefore did the Anthropomorphites offend herein? If then there be no similitude of God, how cometh it to pass (I beseech you) that Images and Idols be called the likeness and pictures of God?
But nowe the cause why God wil