A17183:548
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.
The laws of men (for my promise was, that in my second part I would 1speak of them) are those which are by men ordained & published to the preservation of the common weal and Church of God. Touching these they are of divers kinds. For there are politic laws, there are ecclesiastical laws, and mens traditions. Politic 2laws are those which the magistrate according to the state of times places, and persons, doth ordain for the preserving of public peace and civility.
The lawes of men (for my promise was, that in my seconde part I would 1speake of them) are those which are by men ordeined & published to the preseruation of the common weale and Church of God. Touching these they are of diuers kindes. For there are politique lawes, there are ecclesiasticall lawes, and mens traditions. Politique 2lawes are those which the magistrate according to the state of times places, and persons, doth ordeine for the preseruing of publike peace and ciuilitie.
- 1•awes of •en.
- 2•awes of •licie.
Of this sort there are an innumerable company of examples in the civil law and constitutions of the Emperors, especially of Justinian. All which ought to come as near as may be to the laws of God and Nature, and not to be contrary to them, or to have any smack of impiety or cruel tyranny. To such laws Saint Peter willeth us to obey, where he saith: Submit your selves unto all manner ordinance of man for the Lords sake, whether it be to the king, as having the preeminence, or unto rulers as they that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, but for the praise of them that do well. For although the Apostle by ordinances or mens constitutions doth inclusively mean the kings and magistrates them selves, as in the second clause of the sentence, he doth immediately declare, yet notwithstanding, he doth bid us therefore obey good laws and just, because by them the Magistrates support and rule the common weal.