The Decades of Henry Bullinger: Fifth Decade
Overview
The Decades of Henry Bullinger: Fifth Decade includes 10 godly and learned sermons containing the chief and principal points of the Christian Religion. The Decades are meant to encourage, uplift and inspire ministers to uphold their high calling of preaching God’s word. Bullinger implores, “But let the ministers of our time well weigh the condition and manner of the time; and then, no doubt, they shall see that it is high time to bestir them to the doing of their duties.” He provides careful admonishment for shepherds to guard their flocks against the enemy and stand vigilant to promote truth and godliness.
The Logos Bible Software edition of the Bullinger’s sermons contains links directly to Scripture and other books and articles in your digital library. All Scripture references display the verse on mouseover, and each reference is linked to the original language texts of the Bible and the English translations in your digital library.
- Sermons from a critical time in Reformation period, each fully annotated with Scripture references
- Ancillary information on history
- The Fifth Decade Sermons
- Of the Holy Catholic Church and the Power and Studies of the Church
- Of the Unity of the Church
- Of the Ministry of the Word of God, part 1
- Of the Ministry of the Word of God, part 2
- Of Prayer
- Of Sacraments, part 1
- Of Sacraments, part 2
- Of Baptism
- Of the Lord's Holy Supper
- Of the Institutions of the Church
Top Highlights
“Men by nature are slow and slack in the study of religion, and therefore we have need of a sharp spur; and the charge and office of stirring up, and provoking, is committed to the pastors of churches.” (Page 165)
“For in a holy congregation three things are chiefly used; the teaching of the gospel, faithful prayers, and religious celebration or administration of the sacraments: and sometimes there is a collection made for the relieving of the poor and of the church.” (Page 165)
“The truest and most proper cause, why sacraments be instituted under visible signs, seemeth partly to be God’s goodness, and partly also man’s weakness. For very hardly do we reach unto the knowledge of heavenly things, if, without visible form2, as they be in their own nature pure and excellent, they be laid before our eyes: but they are better and more easily understood, if they be represented unto us under the figure of earthly things, that is to say, under signs familiarly known unto us.” (Page 242)
“The apostolical sword is the word of God. Yet in the mean time no man denieth but that the weapons of carnal or corporal warfare have been profitable sometime to apostolical men and to the church, and do good even at this day. No man denieth that God doth oftentimes use the help of soldiers and magistrates in defending the church against the wicked and tyrants: yea, rather all men will confess, that a good and godly magistrate oweth a duty2 toward the church of God.” (Page 34)
“Psalms: whereof part pertain to invocation or calling upon God; and some serve to teach or instruct, and some to declare or expound: whereof at this present there is no place to speak.” (Page 164)
- Title: The Decades of Henry Bullinger: Fifth Decade
- Author: Henry Bullinger
- Publisher: Cambridge University Press
- Publication Date: 1852
- Pages: 592
Heinrich (Henry) Bullinger (July 18, 1504 – September 17, 1575) was a Swiss Reformer who succeeded Zwingli as head of the Swiss church and was one of the most influential theologians of the Protestant Reformation. He was a minister, theologian, and writer of thousands of letters in correspondence with prominent leaders of the Protestant world. He was integral in drafting the Second Helvetic Confession of 1566, and his Decades remain his most popular and significant writings. Bullinger was a loving family man, dedicated to his wife, Anna Adlischweiler, a former nun, and his 11 children—all of his sons followed their father’s footsteps and became Protestant ministers.