A17183:1019
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.
Wherefore, that the wrath of God may be turned away from falling upon common weals and kingdoms 1for unjust extortion in usury and detestable usurers, it is the part of a holy magistrate to bridle usurers with upright laws, and according to the quality of times, places, states, and persons, to appoint a lawful, just and honest lucre, that usurers may not in lending, letting, buying, & selling, oppress the poor people, but that equity and justice may be kept in all things. Of this duty of his, the magistrate hath a notable example in Nehemiah, suppressing the covetousness, cruelty, and extreme injury of usurers, and other oppressors of his Jewish commonalty. It is at large let down in the fifth Chapter of the History of Nehemiah. In this therefore which I have hitherto alleged, I mean not to father or defend unjust occupiers, usurers or their insatiable covetousness: but I affirm flatly that they live of the blood and bowels of their brethren and countrymen: and that they shall be undoubtedly damned, unless they repent them of their sin and extortion. The very law of nature doth make greatly against them, which I object here and say unto them: Whatsoever thou wouldst not have done to thy self, that do not thou to another. The Publicans also came to John, that they might be baptised of him and said: master, what shall we do? To whom he said: exact no more then is appointed for you.
Wherefore, that the wrathe of God may be turned awaye from falling vpon common weales and kingdomes 1for vniust extortion in vsurie and detestable vsurers, it is the parte of a holie magistrate to brydle vsurers with vpright lawes, and according to the qualitie of times, places, states, and persons, to appoynt a lawfull, iuste and honest lucre, that vsurers may not in lending, lettinge, buying, & selling, oppresse the poore people, but that equitie and iustice may be kepte in all thinges. Of this duetie of his, the magistrate hath a notable example in Nehemias, suppressing the couetousnesse, crueltie, and extreme iniurie of vsurers, and other oppressours of his Iewish commonaltie. It is at large let downe in the fifth Chapter of the Historie of Nehemias. In this therefore whiche I haue hitherto alledged, I meane not to father or defende vniust occupiers, vsurers or their insatiable couetousnesse: but I affirme flatly that they liue of the bloud and bowels of their brethren and countriemen: and that they shalbee vndoubtedly damned, vnlesse they repent them of their sinne and extortion. The verye lawe of nature doth make greatly against them, whiche I obiecte here and saye vnto them: Whatsoeuer thou wouldst not haue done to thy selfe, that do not thou to another. The Publicans also came to Iohn, that they might be baptised of him and saide: maister, what shall we do? To whome he saide: exact no more then is appointed for you.