A17183:1132
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.
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⟩any thing of his own making: nor corrupt the meaning of his words that spoke: as those false witnesses did in the Gospel, when before the Judges they said: I will destroy this temple and in three days build it again. For they corrupted the meaning of Christ. And the Lord in the Law doth say, Thou shalt not take up a false report, neither shalt thou put thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil, neither shalt thou speak in a matter of justice, according to the greater number for to pervert judgement. He therefore that beareth false witness, committeth sin against God and his neighbour. For first of all he staineth himself with sacrilege and perjury, and so by telling a lye in the name of God, he doeth despite to God himself: Moreover he doth to his neighbour so much hurt, as he taketh damage by the Judges sentence either in body, goods, or loss of life. For it is manifest that the Judge being moved with thy false witness, did punish the accused party in body, goods, or life it self: which he would not have done, had he not been drawn thereunto, by thy false witnessing. And therefore a very good and just law is that, which Moses hath uttered in these words, If a false witness be found among you, then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought wickedly to have done to his brother: & thou shalt put evil away from the middest of thee: that the rest may hear, & fear: & dare after that do no more such wickedness among you.
But it is best for vs by partes more neerely to sift the special points