A17183:997
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.
We cannot all of us manure the ground, neither are all heads apt to take learning, a few among many do govern the common weal, and all are not fit to be handicrafts men. Every one hath his sundry disposition, every one is inspired by God, every one hath the aid and counsel of his friends and well-willers, every one hath sundry occasions, and every one hath the rule of Gods word: let him be content with and stay him self upon them, so yet that Gods commandments may still have the preeminence.
We cannot all of vs manure the ground, neither are all heades apte to take learning, a fewe among many do gouerne the common weale, and all are not fitt to be handicraftes men. Euery one hath his sundry disposition, euery one is inspired by God, euery one hath the ayde and counsell of his friendes and welwillers, euery one hath sundry occasions, and euery one hath the rule of Gods worde: let him be content with and staye him selfe vppon them, so yet that Gods comaundements may still haue the preeminence.
But for him that laboureth and taketh pains in his occupation, these rules of admonition, which follow, 1are as necessary as those which are already rehearsed. For first of all, every one must take heed of prodigality or riot, in meat, drink, apparel, nice pranking of the body, and gorgeous buildings, needless expenses must always be spared. For the Lords will is, that every man should keep & not lash out the wealth that he hath, where no need requireth it: for the Lord doth hate and detest riot and needless cost to maintain pride withal. Moreover, the man that is prodigal of that which is his own, is for the most part desirous of other mens goods, from whence arise innumerable mischiefs, thefts, conspiracies, downright deceit, shameless shifts, murders, and seditions. Secondarily, let him which laboureth in his vocation be prompt and active, let him be watchful and able to abide labour, he must be no litherbacke, unapt, or slothful fellow. Whatsoever he doth, that let him do with faith and diligence. Sloth and sluggishness do displease God utterly. The Lord mislikes the yawning mouth and folded arms, the signs of sleep, which commonly follow the careless man, who doth neglect the state and condition of his house and family. But on the other side, the Scripture commendeth highly faithful labourers and good and painful people in work. Let us hear, I beseech you, the golden words of Solomon the wisest among all men: who, where he blameth sluggards, saith: Go to the Emmet thou sluggard, consider her ways and learn to be wise. She hath no guide nor overseer, nor ruler, & yet in the Summer she provideth her meat, and gathereth her food in the harvest. Howe long wilt thou sleep thou sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? yea, sleep on still a little, slumber a little, fold thine hands together yet a little, and take thine ease: and in the mean while shall poverty come upon thee like a traveller, and necessity like a weaponed man.