A17183:1330
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.
IN prosecuting the treatise of Gods laws, I have now lastly to speak of that sort which are called the Judicial laws: of which I will entreat, dearly beloved, as briefly as I can, so far forth as I shall be persuaded to be expedient for your edification. This treatise will not be unpleasant nor unprofitable 1to every zealous hearer, although it doeth specially belong to courts of law, where judgement is exercised. For the Judicial laws were with wonderful faith and diligence set out of God by the ministry of his servant Moses: and God is not wont to reveal any thing to mankind with so precise and exquisite diligence, unless it do directly tend to mankind's great commodity.
IN prosecuting the treatise of Gods laws, I haue now lastly to speake of that sorte whiche are called the Iudiciall lawes: of which I will intreate, dearely beloued, as briefely as I can, so farre foorth as I shalbe persuaded to be expedient for your edification. This treatise wil not be vnplesant nor vnprofitable 1to euery zealous hearer, although it doeth specially belong to courtes of lawe, where iudgement is exercised. For the Iudiciall lawes were with wonderfull faith and diligence set out of God by the ministerie of his seruaunt Moses: and God is not wont to reueale anye thinge to mankinde with so precise and exquisite diligence, vnlesse it doe directly tende to mankindes greate commoditie.
- 1The Judicial laws are profitable.The Iudiciall lawes are profitable.
Now although these Judicial laws are very few in number, and not to be compared in multitude with the huge volumes of the laws and decrees of Emperors, Kings, and wisest Sages, yet do they in their short breviary contain the chief points of judgement and justice, & in effect as much almost as is contained in the books of the laws and constitutions of the Emperors and civil lawyers. The good Lord would not by too long and burdensome a pack of laws be too burdenous and troublesome unto his people: neither was it needful over curiously to stick upon every several thought of ill disposed persons: it is sufficient for all wise men, people, and nations, if every one have so much law as is sufficient for the conservation of peace, civil honesty, and public tranquillity: as all the holy Scripture witnesseth that the people of Israel had.