A17183:706
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.
Now touching religion, it hath 1certain principles, rudiments I say and Catechisms to teach by: Secondarily, it hath the Scriptures setting out the word of God, with a full exposition of all things belonging to God: it hath also mysteries, holy signs and Sacraments to teach and to learn by. If the householder be conversant among a people which honoureth the true religion, and hath received the lawful worship of God, with true faithful and godly Ministers and teachers of Christ his Church, let him give charge and see that his children go to the holy congregation, there to be instructed in religion by the public preacher. Yet nevertheless, let the father at home examine his children, ⟨p. 159⟩and know what they have learned by hearing the sermon. Let both the father and mother also at home privately do their endeavour to teach their children the. 10. commandments, the Apostles Creed, & the Lords prayer, and let them teach them a brief and ready rule out of the Scriptures, for the understanding of the sacraments. Let them often and many times cause them to repeat the Catechism, and beat into their heads such sentences as are most necessary to put them in memory of their faith and duty of 2life. But if so it be, that the householder have his dwelling with a people that persecuteth the Christian faith and doctrine, which hateth the true and lawful worship of Gods name, & cannot abide the congregation & ministers of Christ: as it happeneth in the Turkish captivities, and troublesome persecutions of our days: then shall he take heed and keep him self from idolatry, neither shall he in his own person go, nor suffer his family to come to those ungodly assemblies, but shall rather in his own house at home instruct them in true religion, first in the Catechism, and then in deeper divinity. Moreover, so oft as the case and necessity shall require, he must freely and openly profess Christ and his Gospel. For it is apparently evident by the Epistles of Paul and other histories, that such Churches were in private houses of great cities in the time of the Apostles, and thickest of those hot and ancient persecutions. Neither is it likely that the Jews in their captivity at Babylon, although they lacked the outward use of sacrifices, were altogether without all worship of God.