A17183:671
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.
Last of all also, there is to be found in the word of God, a peculiar law 1for the honouring of old men, which biddeth us to rise before the hoary and grey haired head. Old men therefore are to be honoured, whom we must worthily magnify, and in whom we must acknowledge the singular grace of God in giving them long life, and that by long and continual experience of all things, they have attained to much wit or wisdom whereby they are able to help us ⟨p. 156⟩with their counsel. They therefore ought to be praised, that all may understand that grey hairs are a crown of glory. Moreover, if aged impotent persons are driven into need, then must our abundance supply their necessity. To be short, we must not deny to old men any duty of humanity, wherewith we may pleasure them. In the same sort also there are here commended unto us, widows, orphans, wards, poor men, strangers, sick and miserable people. And for that cause did the devout and good men of old, bestow their goods liberally to the refreshing of old men, widows, fatherless children, and poor silly creatures. Those goods at 2this day are called Church goods, or Ecclesiastical contributions: which undoubtedly are very well bestowed, if they be laid out on them for whom they were given. In the Emperors constitutions, we may see that there were common houses and substance builded and appointed for all sorts of needy people. For there is mention made of houses for fatherless children, of Hospitals for old men, of spittles for beggars, of places for sick men, and nurseries for children. Among us at these days, there are Hospitals and Monasteries, very many whereof have several places appointed for orphans, old men, poor people, impotent creatures, sick persons, and infants. They therefore do commit an unappeasable offence, whosoever bestow to other uses, the substance and places ordained for old and poor people, and lash out (they care not how prodigally in riot and lustiness) the alms bestowed upon poor silly souls. And now hitherto have I declared how our parents ought to be honoured, and they which are contained under the name of parents.
Last of all also, there is to be found in the worde of God, a peculiar lawe 1