Fifty Sermons Containing the Chief Points of the Christian Religion, Dedication 1 – Sermons 2
TO THE MOST RENOVMED Prince Edward the ſixt King of England and Fraunce, Lord of Jreland, Prince of Wales, and Cornewall, defender of the Chriſtian faith. Grace and peace from God the father, through our Lord Ieſus Chriſt.
YOur maieſtie would, I knowe righte well, most royall king, admitt a ſtraunger to talke with your Grace, if any newe gueſt ſhould come and promiſe that hee would briefly out of the ſentences and iudgementes of the wiſest men, declare the very truest cauſes of the felicitie and vnhappie ſtate of eueryevery king & kingdome: and therefore I hope that I ſhall not be excluded from the ſpeach of your maieſtie, becauſe I do aſſuredly promiſe, briefly to lay downe the very cauſes of the felicity and lamentable calamities of kinges and their kingdomes ſo clearely and euidently, that the hearer ſhall not neede to trouble himſelfe with ouer buſie diligence to ſeeke out my meaning, but onelyonly to giuegive attentiue eare to that which is ſpoken. For by the helpe of God, I will make this treatiſe not to be perceiued only by the wit and deepe iudgement of learned heades, but alſo to be ſeene as it were with the eyes, and handled as it were with the hands of very ideots & vnlearned hearers, & that too, not out of the doubtfull decrees and deuiſes of men, but out of the aſſured word of the moſt true God. Euen the wiſeſt men do very often deceiue vsus with their counſels, and greatly endamage the followers thereof. But God which is the light and eternall wiſedome cannot at any time either erre, or conceiue any falſe opinions or repugning counſells, much leſſe teach others any thing but trueth, or ſeduce any man out of the right way. The wiſedome of the father doth in the holy Goſpell crie out and ſay: I am the light of the world: hee that followeth mee, ſhall not walke in darkeneſſe, but ſhall hauehave the light of life. This eternall wiſedome of God as it doth not diſorderedly wrap things vp together and make them intricate, but layetb downe in order, and teaceth them plainly, ſo it doth not onelyonly miniſter whoalſome counſells, but bringeth them to the effect, which they wiſh that obey her. Oftentimes verily men do giuegive counſells that are not vnwhoalſome, but yet in their counſells that is altogether omitted, which ſhould hauehave beene firſt and especially mencioned. All the wiſe men almoſt of the world, hauehave beene of opinion, that kings and kingdoms ſhould be moſt happie, if the king of the countrie be a wiſe man, if hee hauehave many wiſe, aged, faithfull, and ſkilfull counſellours: if his Captaines be valiaunt, warlike, and fortunate in battaile: if he abound with ſubſtaunce, if his kingdome bee on eueryevery ſide, ſurely fortified: and laſtly if his people bee of one minde and obedient. All this I confeſſe is truly, rightly, and very wiſely ſpoken but yet there is another ſingular and moſt excellent thing, which is not her… … … monge theſe neceſſaries, without which no true felicitie can bee attayned vntounto, … ing once gotten can ſafely be kept: when as contrarily where that one thing is preſent, all thoſe other neceſſaries do of their owne accord fall vntounto mē, as they themſelues can beſt wiſh or deuiſe. The Lord our God therfore who is the onelyonly giuer of wyſe & perfect counſelles doth farre more briefly and better knit vpp all ſhortly, and ſay in the Goſpell. But Matth. 6. Luke. …0.ſeeke ye firſt rather the kingdome of God, and the righteouſneſſe thereof, and …ll … thinges ſhall eaſily be giuen vntounto you. Againe, Bleſſed are the eyes … that ye ſee. For I ſay vntounto you, that many kings and Prophets hauehave … to ſ…e the thinges that ye ſee, and to heare the thinges that ye heare, … neither heard nor ſeene them. And againe, Nay rather, bleſſed are they that heare the word of God and keepe it. And this one thing aboue allot…r Luke. 11.is ver…e neceſſarie. Marie hath choſen the good part which ſ…all not be taken from her. Hauing my warrant therefore out of the worde of God I dare bouldly anowe, That Frō whēce …ſſu…th th… felicitie o… calamitie of …inges & Kingdomes.thoſe kinges ſhal flouriſh and be in an happie caſe, which whoalie giuegive and ſubmit themſelues and their kingdomes to Ieſus Chriſt the onelyonly begotten ſonne of God, being kinge of kinges and Lord of Lords, acknowledging him to be the mightiest Prince and Monarch of all, and themſelues his vaſſalls, ſubiectes, and ſeruauntes: which finally doe not followe in all their affaires their owne minde and iudgement, the lawes of men that are contrarie to Gods commaundementes, or the good intentes of mortall men, but doe both themſelues followe the verie lawes of the mightiest king and eternall Monarch, and alſo cauſe them to be followed throughout all their kingdome, reforming both themſelues and all theirs, at and by the rule of Gods holy word. For in ſo doing the kingdomes ſhall flouriſh in peace and tranquillitie, and the kinges thereof ſhall be most wealthie, victorious, long lyued, and happie. For thus ſpeaketh the mouth of the Lord which cannot poſſibly lye: When the king ſitteth vppon the ſeate of his kingdome, he ſhall take the booke of the lawe of God, that hee may reade in it all dayes of his life, that hee may do it and not decline frō it, either to the right hand or to the left: but Deut. 17.that he may prolong the dayes in his kingdome both of his owne life, & of his children. And againe, Let not the booke of this law depart out of thy mouth, (Ioſue, or thou whatſoeuer thou art that haſt a kingdome) but occupie thy minde therein day and night, that thou mayſt obſerue & doe, according to all that is written therin: for then ſhalt thou make thy way proſperous, and then ſhalt Ioſue 1.thou be happie. It is aſſuredly true therfore, confirmed by the testimonie of the most true God, & in expreſſe words pronounced, that the prosperitie of kinges and kingdomes conſisteth in true faith, diligent hearing, and faithfull obeying the word or lawe of God: whereas their calamitie and vtter ouerthrowe doth followe the contrarie.
This wil I make, as my promiſe is, in this annexed demonſtration both euident to the eyes, and as it were palpable to the verie handes, by the examples of moſt mightie kinges, not taken out of Herodotus or any prophane author, but out of the infallible hiſtorie of the moſt ſacred Scriptures. Saule the first king of Iſraell was both most fortunate & victorious, ſo long as hee did in all things followe the word of God: but when hee once gaue Saul. 1. Samuel. 13. 14. 15. &c.place to his owne good intentes and meanings, being vtterly forſaken of the Lord, he heareth Samuel ſay to his face: Thou haſt refuſed and caſt off the word of the Lord, therefore hath God alſo caſt thee away, that thou ſhalt not be king of Iſraell. I will not here ſtand ouer largely to declare the miſeries and calamities, wherein he was wrapped from that time forward. For as he himſelfe was horriblie haunted and vexed with the euill ſpirite, ſo did he not ceaſſe to vexe and torment his people and kingdome, vntill hee had brought them all into extreeme daunger, where hee and ſome of his were ſlaine, & put to the worſte by the heathen their enimyes, leauing nothing behind him but a perpetuall ſhame and endleſſe ignominie. Next after Saule doth Dauid ſucceede in the ſeate and kingdome, who without all controuerſie was the most happiest of all other kinges and Princes. But what ſtoare he did ſet by the word of the Lord, it is euident to bee ſeene by many notable actes of his, and eſpecially in that Alphabeticall Pſalme which in order and number is the hundreth and nintenth. For therin he ſetteth forth the praiſe of Gods word, the whoalſom vertue wherof he doth at large wonderfully expound, in teaching what great deſire & zeale we ought to hauehave thereto. For he was ſcholed & had learned before by priuate miſhaps and ſhameful deeds, & laſtly by the vnhappie ſeditiō of his graceles ſonne Abſalom, what an euill it is to decline frō the word of the Lord. Solomō the ſonne of Dauid the wiſeſt & most cōmended king of all the world, Solomon 1. Reg. 4. &. 11.did ſo long enioy proſperitie & praiſe at the mouth of the Lord, as he did not neglect with reuerence to obey his word. But when once he had tranſgreſſed the Lords commaundement, ſtreight way the Lord did ſay vntounto him: For as much as this is done of thee, and that thou haſt not kept mine ordinaunces and my ſtatutes which I commaunded thee, I will rent thy kingdome from thee and will giuegive it to thy ſeruaunt. And nowe marke that according to that ſaying, immediately after Solomons death the kingdome was rent into two partes, and that 10. Tribes followed Ieroboam the ſeruaunt of Solomon. Two tribes claue ſtill to Roboam Solomons ſonne. Hee for neglecting Roboam. 2 Para. 12.the word of the Lord & following after ſtraunge Gods, is ouerwhelmed with an infinite number of wofull miſeries. For the Scripture testifieth that the Aegyptians came vpp against Hieruſalem, and did deſtroy the Citie, Palace, and temple of the Lord. Abia the ſonne of Roboam ouercame the hoſt of Iſraell, and bare away a triumphant victorie, Abia. 2. Para. 13.when hee had wounded and ſlaine fiue hundred thouſand men of the 10. Tribes of Iſraell. And of this ſo great a victorie no other cauſe is mencioned, but becauſe hee beleeued the word of the Lord. Next after Abia, did his ſonne Aſa a renowmed and moſt puiſſaunt king reigne in his ſteede, of whom the holy Scripture teſtifieth, that hee Aſa. 2. Para. 14.aboliſhed all ſuperſtition, and did reſtoare ſincere religion according to the word of God: whereby hee obteyned a moſt flouriſhing kingdome in peace and quietneſſe by the ſpace of fourtie yeares. Againe of Ioſaphat Aſa his ſonne wee read: The Lord was with Ioſaphat 2. Para. 17.Ioſaphat becauſe he walked in the former wayes of his father Dauid & ſought not Baalim, but ſought the God of his father and walked in his commaundement. And therefore for his princelike wealth and famous victories he was renowmed through all the world. But to his ſonne Ioram who forſooke the word of God Helias the Ioram. 2. Para. 12.Prophete ſaid: Becauſe thou haſt not walked in the wayes of Ioſaphat thy father, and in the wayes of king Aſa, but haſt walked the wayes of the kings of Iſraell, behold with a great plague wil the Lord ſmite thy folke, thy children, thy wiues, and all thy goods: And thou ſhalt ſuffer great paine, euen a diſeaſe of the bowells, vntill thy guttes fall out. And whatſoeuer the Lord threatened to bring vppon him by the mouth of the Prophet, that did the vnhappie king feele with vnſpeakeable tormentes to his great reproche: being made an example of wretch…dneſſe & miſerie which doth light on all the pates of them that do forſake the word of God. Neither was the happ of Ochoſias ſonne to king Ioram and Athalia in any point better. For Ochoſias. 4. Kings. 9at the commaundement of Iehu hee was ſtabbed in and ſlaine wretchedly: b…c…uſ… hee choſe rather to followe the lawes and rites of the kinges of Iſraell, than the verie true lawes of the Lord his God. Moreouer Ioas a child yet but ſeuen yeares old being by the Ioas. 2. Par. 23. 24labour, fayth, and diligence of the faithfull prieſt Ioiada reſtoared to, and ſettled in the place of his father who was ſlaine before him, reigned after the wicked Athalia was put to death moſt happilie and in a prosperous ſtate ſo longe as Ioiada the prieſt did line. But when the high prieſt was once departed out of this world vntounto the Lord, the king being immediately ſeduced by the malice and wilineſſe of his wicked counſellours, left off to follow the word of the Lord. And as hee ceaſſed to followe the Lord. ſo did felicitie and glorie forſake to followe him. For the Syrians comming on with a verie ſmall power of armed men, doe deſtroy and put to flight an inſinite hoaſt of Iewiſh people, they put to the ſword all Ioas his counſellours, and make a ſpoile of all his kingdome. And Ioas for reiecting the Lord deſerued with exceſſiue griefe firſt to behold this miſerie, than to … away with a long conſuming ſickneſſe, and lastly vppon his bedd to hauehave his throate cruellte cutt of his owne houſhold ſcruaunts, Amaſias the ſonne of Ioas is reno…med for a …amous victorie which he obteyned vppon the Idumit…s, for no other cauſe, but for obeying Amaſias. 2 Para. 25the word of the Lord. But afterward when hee began to rebell againſt God and his Prophets, he is in battaile vanquiſhed by Ioas king of Iſraell, by whom when be was ſpoyled, and compelled to ſee the ouerthrowe of a great part of the walles of Hieruſalem, he was himſelfe at the laſt by conſpiratours entr…pped and miſerablie murdered. Next after him ſucceeded his ſonne Oſias who alſo as well as his father, enioyed a ſingular felicitie Oſias. 2. Para. 26.and most happie life, ſo longe as he gainſayed not the mouth of God: but when hee would vſurpe and take vppon him that office, which God had properly appointed to the Leuits alone, directly oppoſing himſelfe againſt the word of the Lord, he was ſtriken with a leproſie, and for his vncleanneſſe was compelled ſeuerallie to dwell …loofe in baniſhmēt from the companie of men euen vntil his laſt and dying day. Iothan alſo the ſonne of Oſias is reported to hauehave beene wealthie and victorious in his warres: the cauſe of this Iothan. 2. Para. 27.felicitie the Scripture d…th briefly add and ſay: Iothan became mightie, becauſe he directed his wayes before the Lord his God. But contrarily Achaz the ſome of Iothan, as hee was of all the Iewiſhe kinges almoſt the wickeddeſt, ſo was hee in his life the moſt vnfortunate. For in ſo much as hee forſ…ke the lawe of the Lord his God, the Achaz. 2. …ara. 28.Lord deliuered both him and his people, first into the hands of the king of Syrians, and afterward into the hands of the Iſraelites, who in one day …lew one hundred and twentie thouſand Iewes, and tooke captine away with them two hundreth thouſand women and children. So Achaz himſelfe and all that were his by feeling had proofe of all kinde of calamities, beeing made an example to terrifie all other that doe gai…ſay the woorde of God. The good and godly king Ezechias ſucceeded his vngodly father in the ſeate and kingdome. Of him wee hauehave this teſtimonie in the holie Scripture: Hee did that Ezechias 4. Reg. 18.which was right in the ſight of the Lord, according to all that his father Dauid did. Hee put away the high places, and brake the images, and cut downe the groaues, and all to brake the braſen Serpent which Moſes had made. For vntounto thoſe dayes the children of Iſraell burnt ſacrifice to it. Hee truſted in the Lord God of Iſraell. For hee claue to the Lord, and departed not from him, but kept his commaundements, which the Lord commaunded Moſes.
And now let vsus heare what followed vppon this obedience and faith of his. The Scripture goeth forward and ſayth: And the Lord was with him, ſo that hee proſpered in all thinges that hee tooke in hand. While hee did reigne the most auncient and puiſſant Monarchie of the Aſſyrians was broken and diminiſhed. For when Senach… rib king of Aſſyria beſieged the citie of Ieruſalem the Angell of the Lord in one night …lue in the Aſſyrian campe one hundred foureſcore and fiue thouſand ſouldiours. And the king of Babylon alſo did verie honourably by his ambaſſadours ſend prince like giftes vntounto Ezechias deſiring earnestly his amitie and friendſhipp. For the glorie of that most godly king was blowen abroade and knowen in all the world.
Againe when his ſonne Manaſſes a verie wicked man did not treade the pathe, Manaſſes 4. Reg. 21.and expreſſe the deedes of his moſt holy father, but being made king in the twelfth yeare of his age did of purpoſe croſſe the word of God and brought in againe all the ſuperſtition, which his father had aboliſhed, hee was taken captiue and carried away to Babylon: and although by the goodneſſe and merciemercy of God hee was restoared to his ſeate againe, yet when he died hee left a maymed and a trouble ſome kingdome vntounto his ſonne Ammon, who alſo for his rebellion againſt the word of God as a moſt vnfortunate man reigned Ammon. 4 Reg. 21.but two yeares onelyonly, and was at the laſt wretchedly ſlaine by his owne houſhold ſeruaunts. In place of his murdered father was his ſonne Ioſias ſettled in the kingdome, being when hee was crowned a child but eight yeares old. Of all the kinges of Iuda he was Ioſias. 4. Reg. 22.the floure and eſpeciall crowne. Hee reigned quietly and in all pointes moſt happilie by the ſpace of one and thirtie yeares. Now the Scripture which cannot lye, doth paint out to our eyes the fayth and obedience, which hee did deuoutly ſhewe to the woord of God, for which that felicitie did accompanie his kingdome. Hee was nothing moued with the admonitions of his father Ammons counſellours. But ſo ſoone as hee had heard the woords of the lawe read out of the booke, which Helkia the high prieſt found in the temple at Hieruſalem, hee ſtreight way committed himſelfe whoaly to God and his woorde. Neither ſtayed hee to looke for the mindes and reformations of other kinges and kingdomes, but quickly forecaſting the beſt for his people, hee beganne to reforme the corrupted religion, which hee did eſpecially in the eightenth yeare of his age. And in that reformation hee had a regard alwayes to followe the meaning of the holie ſcripture alone, and not to giuegive eare to the deedes of his predeceſſours, to the preſcribed order of longe continuaunce, no… to the common voyces of the greateſt multitude. For he aſſembled his people together, before whome hee layde open the booke of Gods law…, and appointed all thinges to be ordered according to the rule of his written word, And therevppon it commeth which wee finde written that hee ſpared not the auncient temples & longe accuſtomed rites which Solomon and Ieroboam had erected and ordeyned againſt the word of God. To be ſhort this king Ioſias pulled downe and ouerthrew, whatſoeuer was ſet vpp in the Church or kingdome of Iuda againſt the woorde of God. And least peraduenture any one ſhould cauill and ſay that hee was ouer hardie and too roughe in his dealinges, the Scripture giueth this teſtimonie of him and ſayth: Like vntounto him was there no king before him, which turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his ſoule, and all his might, according to all the lawe of Moſes: neither after him aroſe there any ſuch as hee. Whereas wee read therefore that this ſo commended and moſt fortunate king, was ouercome and ſlaine in a foughten battaile, that death of his is to be compted part of his felicitie, & not of his miſerie. For the Lord himſelfe ſaid to Ioſias: I will gather thee vntounto thy fathers, and in peace ſhalte thou bee buried, that thine eyes may not ſee all the euill which I will bring vppon this place. For there is no greater argument that the people and verie princes of the kingdome vnderunder that most holie king were meere hypocrites and idolaters, than for beecauſe next & immediately after his death both his ſonnes and Peeres reiecting the word of God did bring in againe all ſuperstition and blasphemous wickedneſſe. Whereuppon wee reade that for the whoale 22. yeares, wherein the kinges of Iud… did reigne after the death of Ioſias, there was no peace or quietneſſe in Hieruſalem, but perpetuall ſeditions and most bloudie murders. Next after Ioſias reigned his Ioachas, Ioachim, I…chonias, and Zedechias. 4. Kings. 23. 24. 25.ſonne Ioachas: but within three monethes after he was taken, bound, and ledd captiue away into the land of Aegypt. After the leading away of Ioachas, his brother Ioachim ware the crowne: whom in the eleuenth yeare of his reigne being bound in chaynes was ſlaine by Nabuchodonoſor, and lastly (as Ieremie ſaith) was buried in the ſepulcre of an Aſſe. In Ioachims ſteede was his ſonne Iechonias ſet vpp, but about three monethes after hee with his Princes and ſubſtaunce was taken captiue and ledd away to Babylon. After him the kingdome was giuen to Zedechias the ſonne of Ioſias: but becauſe hee would not obey the word of God preached by the Prophete Ieremie, he looſeth both his life and kingdome in the eleuenth yere of his reigne. In whoſe time alſo the temple is ſet on fire, Hieruſalem is ſacked, and the people ſlaine for the moſt part or led away captiue. Thus much hetherto touching the kinges of Iuda. For in Zedechias both the kingdome and maiestie or dignitie thereof did fayle and make an ende.
To theſe if wee add the endes and deſtinies of the kinges of Iſraell, we ſhal againe be compelled to confeſſe that all felicitie of kinges and kingdomes doe conſiſt in hearing and The kings of Iſraell.following the word of God, and that contrarily calamities and miſeries doe riſe by the cō tempt and neglecting of the ſame. For Ieroboam the firſt king of the ſeperated Iſraelites, letting paſſe the word of God, did ordeyne new rites to worſhip the Lord by, and erected new temples, but by ſo doing, hee ouerthrew himſelfe, his houſe, and all his kingdome. After him doth Baaſa ſucceede both in the kingdome & idolatrous religion, which was the cauſe why he & his were vtterly deſtroyed. Then followeth Amri the father of Achab, who for augmenting idolatrous impietie, is horriblie ſlaine with all his family ſo that not one of his eſcaped the reuenging ſword of Gods anger & ielouſie. And for becauſe Iehu was faithfull & valliant in killing thoſe tyraunts, in diſpatching Baals prieſtes, & rooting out of idolatrous ſuperſtition, the Lord doth promiſe & ſay vntounto him: Becauſe thou haſt zealouſly done that which thou haſt done, according to all that is right in my ſight, therefore ſhall thy children vntounto the fourth generation ſit on the ſeat of Iſrael. And wee read verily that his ſonnes and nephues were notable Princes which ſucceded in the kingdome, euen Ioachas, Ioas, Ieroboam the ſecond of that name, and Zacharias. The other kinges, as Sellum, Manahe, Pekaiah, Peka and Oſee, had their kingdome altogether like to the kingdome of the ſonne of Ioſ…as, to wit, in a ſeditious troubleſome & a moſt miſerable taking. For they despiſed the mouth of the Lord. Therfore were they vtterly cutt off, and for the moſt part either ſlaine or carried away captiue by their enimies the Aſſyrians. From the diuiſion of tbe people into two ſeuerall kingdomes after the death of Solomon, there were in number 19 kinges of Iſraell, and 18. of Iuda. The kings of Iſraell altogether reigned about 272. yeares, and they of Iuda about 393. Now by the ſpace of ſo many yeares in the moſt renowmed & peculiar people of God, which was as it were a glaſſe ſet before the eyes of all nations to view and behold themſelues in, there might the trueſt cauſes of felicitie & calamities of all kings & kingdoms in the whoale world be ſo liuely repreſented and perfectly paynted, that there ſhould bee no neede to fetch from elſe where, a more plaine and euident demonſtration of the ſame.
And yet for al that wee are not without other forreigne examples, wherby to proue Forreigne kings.it. For the Pharaoes of Aegypt were the deſtruction both to themſelues and alſo to their kingdome, by their ſtubborne rebellion againſt Gods word. Againe Darius Priſcus and the great Nabuchodonoſor enioyed no ſmall felicitie, becauſe they deſpiſed not the counſells of Daniel. Balthazar king of Babylon, a deſpightfull contemner of God and his word, is in one night deſtroyed with all his power. Babylon the moſt auncient and famous citie of the world is taken, ſet on fyre, ſacked, and ouerthrowne, and the kingdom tranſlated to the Medes and Perſians. Neither were the kinges of Perſia vnfortunate at all, I meane, Cyrus and Darius otherwiſe called Artaxerxes, becauſe they fauoured the Kings which fauoured gods word and kings which perſecuted the ſame.word of God, and did promoate his people and true religion. But on the other ſide wee read that Antiochus ſyrnamed Epiphanes was moſt vnfortunate, who as it were making warre with God himſelfe, did moſt wickedly burne and make away the bookes of holy Scripture. Furthermore wee hauehave as great ſtoare of examples alſo euen out of thoſe Hiſtories which followed immediately the time of Chriſt his aſcenſion. For ſo many Romane Emperours, kinges and Princes as perſecuted the preaching of the Goſpell, and Church of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, & aduaunced idolatrie and ſuperſtitious blaſphemie, ſo many, I ſay, did die a foule and ſhamefull death. Of this are Euſebius and Oroſius renowmed Hiſtoriographers aſſured witneſſes. Againe S. Auguſtine lib. 5. de Ciuit. Dei, affirmeth that incredible victories, verie great glorie, and moſt abſolute felicitie hath beene giuen by God vntounto thoſe kinges, which hauehave in faith ſincerely embraced Christe their Lord, and vtterly ſubuerted idolatrie and ſuperſtitious blaſphemie. It is euident therefore that felicitie commeth by good will and obedience to the word of God, & that all kings and kingdoms ſhalbe vnhappie, which forſake the word of God, and turne themſelues to mens inuentions. And this I hauehave, I truſt, declared hetherto ſo plainly, that the hearers may ſeeme not onelyonly to vnderſtand, but alſo to ſee before their eyes, and as it were to feele with their hands the pith and materiall ſubſtaunce of this whole treatiſe.
But wherunto doth all this tend? That your Royall maieſtie forſooth may vndoubttingly know, & be aſſuredly perſuaded that true felicitie is gotten and reteyned by faithfull ſtudie in the word of God, to witt, if you ſubmit your ſelfe altogether and your whoale kingdome to Chriſte the chiefe and higheſt Prince, if throughout your whoale realme, you dispoſe and order religion and all matters of iuſtice according to the rule of Gods holy word, if you decline not one haires breadth from that rule, but ſtudie to aduaunce the kingdome of Chriſt, and goe on (as hetherto you hauehave happily begon) to ſubuert & tread vnderunder foote the vſurped power of that tyrannicall Antichriſt. Not that your maiestie needeth any whit at all mine admonitions or inſtructions. For you hauehave vndoubtedly that heauenly teach…r in your minde, I meane the holie Ghoſte, which inſpireth you with the verie true doctrine of ſincere and pure religion. Your Maieſtie hath the ſacred Bible, the holieſt booke of all bookes, wherein as in a perfect rule the whoale matter of p…etie & our true ſaluation, is abſolutely conteyned and plainly ſet downe. Your Maieſtie hath noble men and many Counſellours belonging to your kingdome, faithfull, valliaunt, and ſkilfull heads both in the lawe of God, and men, who for their wiſedome & louelove that they beare to the ſincere tru…th, are greatly commended amonge forreigne nations. And for that cauſe all the faithfull doe thinke and call your maiestie moſt happie. But that happie king Ezechias (although hee did eſpecially vſe the helpe of thoſe excellent men Eſ… and Micheas) did not yet deſpiſe faithfull admoniſhers, euen amonge the … ſort of Leuites: neither thought they that in admoniſhing the king, the… l…ſt and … labour in vaine. I therefore hauing good affiaunce in your … good a…d godl… dispoſition, do verily hope that this ſhort diſcourſe of mine, touching the true cauſes of the felicitie and calamities of kinges and kingdoms, ſhall hauehave a pro…iting place with you. Euen I, which 12. yeares ſince, did dedicate vntounto your father of famous memorie Henrie viij. a booke touching the authoritie of the holie Scripture, and the institution and function of Biſhopps, againſt the Pontificall chuffes of the Romiſhe ſuperſtition and tyrannie, and now by experience know that that labour of mine brought forth no ſmall fruite within the realme of England: am now ſo bold againe as to dedicate theſe my Sermons vntounto your Royall maiestie. In theſe Sermons I handle not the leaſt and loweſt points or places of Chriſtian religion, the lawe, ſinne, grace, the Goſpell, and repentaunce. Neither doe I, as I thinke, handle them irreligiouſly. For I vſe to conferre one Scripture with an other, than which there is no way better and ſafer to follow in the handling of matters touching our religion. And forbecauſe you are the true defender of the Chriſtian fayth, it cannot bee but well vndoubtedly, to hauehave Chriſtian Sermons come abroad vnderunder the defence of your Maieſties name. My minde was according to mine abilitie, and the meaſure of fayth which is in mee, to further the cauſe of true religion, which now beginneth to budd in England, to the great reioyſing of all good people. I hauehave therefore written theſe Sermons at large, and handled the matter ſo, that of one many more may bee gotten. Wherein the Paſtors diſcretion ſhall eaſily diſcerne what is moſt auayleable and profitable for eueryevery ſeuerall Church. And the Paſtors duetie verily is rightly to moawe the word of truth, and aptly to giuegive the fodder of life vntounto the Lords flocke. They will not thinke much, I hope, becauſe in theſe Sermons I doe vſe the ſame matter, the ſame arguments, and the very ſame words, that other before mee both auncient and late writers (whom I hauehave iudged to followe the Scriptures) hauehave vſed yer nowe, or which I my ſelfe hauehave elſe wher alledged in other bookes of mine heretofore publiſhed. For as this doctrine at all times, & in all pointes agreeable to it ſelfe is ſafeſt to be followed, ſo hath it alwayes beene worthily praiſed of all good and godly people. If the Lord graunt me life, leyſure & ſtrength, I will ſhortly add the other eight Sermons of the fourth Decade, which as yet are behinde. And all that I ſay heere, I ſpeake it ſtill without all preiudice to the iudgement of the right and true Church. Our Lord Ieſus the king of kinges and Lord of Lords, lead you with his ſpirite, and defend you to the glorie of his name, and ſafetie of all your Realme. At Tigure in the monethmonth of March, the yeare of our Lord. 1550.
Your Maieſties duetifullie bounden, and daily Oratour, Henrie Bullinger, miniſter of the Church at Tigure in Swicerland.