A17183:946
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.
if he abound with substance, if his kingdom be on every side, surely fortified: and lastly if his people be of one mind and obedient. All this I confess is truly, rightly, and very wisely spoken but yet there is another singular and most excellent thing, which is not her• […] • mong these necessaries, without which no true felicity can be attained unto, […] ⟨p. 252⟩ing once gotten can safely be kept: when as contrarily where that one thing is present, all those other necessaries do of their own accord fall unto men, as they themselves can best wish or devise. The Lord our God therefore who is the only giver of wise & perfect counsels doth far more briefly and better knit up all shortly, and say in the Gospel. But 1seek ye first rather the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof, and •ll […] things shall easily be given unto you. Again, Blessed are the eyes […] that ye see. For I say unto you, that many kings and Prophets have […] to s•e the things that ye see, and to hear the things that ye hear, […] neither heard nor seen them. And again, Nay rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it. And this one thing above allot••r 2is ver•e necessary. Mary hath chosen the good part which s•all not be taken from her. Having my warrant therefore out of the word of God I dare boldly avow, That 3those kings shall flourish and be in an happy case, which wholly give and submit themselves and their kingdoms to Jesus Christ the only begotten son of God, being king of kings and Lord of Lords, acknowledging him to be the mightiest Prince and Monarch of all, and themselves his vassals, subjects, and servants: which finally do not follow in all their affairs their own mind and judgement, the laws of men that are contrary to Gods commandments, or the good intents of mortal men, but do both themselves follow the very laws of the mightiest king and eternal Monarch, and also cause them to be followed throughout all their kingdom, reforming both themselves and all theirs, at and by the rule of Gods holy word. For in so doing the kingdoms shall flourish in peace and tranquillity, and the kings thereof shall be most wealthy, victorious, long lived, and happy. For thus speaketh the mouth of the Lord which cannot possibly lye: