A17183:1131
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.
Doth a fountain at one hole send forth sweet water and bitter also? Can the fig tree (my brethren) bear Olive berries? either a vine figs? So can no fountain give, both salt water and fresh also. Verily since God hath given to man a tongue, that by the means of it, one man may know an others meaning, that it may bless or praise God, and do good to all men, it is altogether requisite that it should be applied to the use that it was made for, that thereby a man out of a good hart, might utter good talk, clear from deceit & hurt, from blasphemy and railings, and from filthy speaking.
Doth a fountaine at one hoale send forth sweete water and bitter also? Can the figge tree (my brethren) beare Olyue bearries? either a vine figgs? So can no fountaine giue, both salt water and fresh also. Verily since God hath giuen to man a tōgue, that by ye meanes of it, one man may know an others meaning, that it may blesse or praise God, and do good to all men, it is altogether requisit that it should bee applied to ye vse that it was made for, that thereby a man out of a good hart, might vtter good talk, cleare frō deceipt & hurt, from blasphemie and raylings, and from filthie speaking.
But it is best for us by parts more nearly to sift the special points 1of this precept or argument. First of all in this commandment it is forbidden every man in the Court before a Judge to bear false witness. Therefore all witness bearing simply is not forbidden us, but false witnessing only. Do not speak (saith he) false witness. It is lawful therefore to be are true witness, especially if a magistrate demand it of thee. And therefore the Hebrew phrase is very significant and saith: Answer not false witness against thy neighbour. Now he answereth, that is asked a question. And in bearing of witness he that speaketh, must have a regard of God alone, and simple truth, he must lay aside all evil affections, hatred, fear or all part taking• he must hide nothing, nor dissemble in his speech: he must not devise ⟨p. 320⟩