A17183:591
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.
I am (saith he) the Lord thy God, a strong God. If I be the Lord, then shouldest thou of duty serve me, honour me, obey me, and worship me, so as thou dost understand that I do, desire to be worshipped and honoured. If I be God, then am I of sufficient ability, to minister to all men what so ever they lack: What canst thou want therefore, that thou mayst not find in me? why then shouldest thou turn to strange Gods? Thou haste no cause at all, undoubtedly, to turn from me. I am, moreover, a strong God, a mighty, yea, an Almighty God and Lord. Thou hast no cause to seek a mightier or wealthier prince then me, by him to be delivered out of my hands, and by his liberality to be farther enriched, then thou shalt be by my good gifts and blessings. For I am that true and eternal God, the invisible, and Almighty Prince of the world, the true and only helper and deliverer, the liberal and bountiful giver of all good gifts or benefits. I am also thy Lord, and thy God.
I am (sayth he) the Lord thy God, a strong God. If I be the Lorde, then shouldest thou of duetie serue me, honour me, obey me, and worship me, so as thou dost vnderstand that I doe, desire to be worshipped and honoured. If I be God, then am I of sufficient abilitie, to minister to all men what so euer they lacke: What canst thou want therefore, that thou mayst not finde in me? why then shouldest thou turne to straunge Gods? Thou haste no cause at all, vndoubtedly, to turne from me. I am, moreouer, a strong God, a mightie, yea, an Allmightie God and Lorde. Thou hast no cause to séeke a mightier or welthier prince then me, by him to be deliuered out of my handes, and by his liberalitie to be farther inriched, then thou shalt be by my good giftes and blessings. For I am that true and eternall God, the inuisible, and Allmightie Prince of the worlde, the true and only helper and deliuerer, the liberall and bountifull giuer of all good giftes or benefites. I am also thy Lorde, and thy God.
Those goods of mine are thine. For I am thine: yea, I am thy helper and deliverer, out of all adversities and afflictions. Thou art mine. I have created thee. I live in thee, I do preserve thee. Why then shouldest thou turn away from me, and seek after any strange God what so ever? What needest thou any more hereafter, to hunt after senseless Idols? Thou art the Church and Temple of God. Dost thou not feel and perceive within thy self, that I do dwell in thee, and have thine heart in possession? And what I pray thee hath the Temple of God to do with godless Images?