A17183:1140
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.
Furthermore, in this law are forbidden 1talebearings, privy slanders, backbitings, close whisperings, and all suspicions which rise by such occasions. Despiteful quips ••erfore, and heads that are ready to speak evil of all men, are plainly condemned. For some there are which are without honesty, not sticking to slander all estates and conditions, both high and low, public and private, and people of all ages: and for that purpose 2do they cast abroad infamous libels, they stick up written Pasquils, and set out pictures to defame men withal. And to themselves they seem very eloquent, while with bitter words they check and find fault with all sorts of men: yea, they account the malapert prattling of their unbridled tongues, to be a commendation of uncontrolled liberty and free licence of speaking. But they sin very grievously which take delight in cursed speaking, that is, which carry about a tongue full of bitterness, curses, and deceit: even as they also are not without sin, that love a life to hear envenomed speech and hurtful talking. But we make a difference, & do except from wrongful quarrels such accusations, as are justly made and openly showed, either 3by writing or word of mouth, & such kind of chi•ings and chastenings also as preachers use in sacred sermons. For they, which do in that sort chastise and pursue wicked vices and errors, do purpose nothing else but ⟨p. 323⟩the glory of God and safeguard of mens souls, which they desire to advance by all the means they can, not seeking to utter their spite, or wreak the malice of their naughty affections. But we may gather by many arguments, that it is a heinous crime falsely to slander, and wickedly to backbite our brethren & neighbours. 4For there is scarcely any thing that doeth so much disgrace us as backbiting doth. We are made to the similitude and likeness of God, that we may be the sons of God: but false accusations do make us of the sons of God, to be the sons of the devil. Now we all abhor and utterly detest the name of the devil: but if thou art a wrongful slanderer, than art thou the very same that thou doest so detest. For the devil taketh his name of wrongful accusing, and is called a slanderer.