A17183:986
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.
The ground of a certain rich man brought forth fruits plentifully, and he thought within him self, saying: what shall I do because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, this will I do, I will pull down my barns, and build greater, and therein will I gather all my fruits and my goods, and I will say to my soul: Soul, thou hast much goods laid up in store for many years: take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
The grounde of a certeine riche man brought foorth fruites plentifully, and hee thought within him selfe, saying: what shall I doe because I haue no roome where to bestowe my fruites? And he saide, this will I doe, I will pull downe my barnes, and buyld greater, and therein will I gather all my fruites and my goodes, and I will saye to my soule: Soule, thou hast muche goodes layde vpp in stoare for many yeares: take thine ease, eate, drinke, and be merrie.
But God said unto him: thou fool, this night do they require thy soul again from thee: then, whose shall these things be which thou hast provided? So is he that gathereth richesse to him self, and is not rich to Godwards.
But God saide vnto him: thou foole, this night doe they require thy soule againe from thee: then, whose shall these thinges bee which thou hast prouided? So is hee that gathereth richesse to him selfe, and is not riche to Godwardes.
Paul the vessel of election following in all things his teacher and master, crieth out and saith: Godliness is a great lucre, if a man be content with that he hath: ⟨p. 266⟩For we brought nothing into the world and it is certain that we may carry nought away, but having food and raiment we must therewith be content. For they that will be rich fall into temptation and snares, and into many foolish and noisome lusts which drown men in perdition and destruction. For covetousness and the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some have lusted after, they erred from the faith, and wrapped themselves in many sorrows: But thou, O man of God flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness &c. Whosoever therefore meaneth by bodily labour or any kind of traffic to get a living, and things necessary for himself and his family, let him take these godly precepts in stead of Treacle, and other wholesome medicines to strengthen his mind against the envenomed force of poisoned greediness, and infecting plague of covetousness.