A17183:549
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.
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.
Of this sorte there are an innumerable company of examples in the ciuil lawe and constitutions of the Emperours, especially of Iustinian. All which ought to come as neare as may be to the lawes of God and Nature, and not to be contrarie to them, or to haue any smacke of impietie or cruell tyrannie. To such lawes Saint Peter willeth vs to obey, where he sayth: Submit your selues vnto al maner ordinaunce of man for the Lords sake, whether it be to the king, as hauing the preeminence, or vnto rulers as they that are sent by him for the punishment of euill doers, but for the praise of them that doe well. For although the Apostle by ordinaunces or mens constitutions doth inclusiuely meane the kings and magistrates them selues, as in the seconde clause of the sentence, he doth immediately declare, yet notwithstanding, he doth bid vs therefore obeye good lawes and iust, bycause by them the Magistrates support and rule the common weale.
Moreover, just and honest politic laws are an help to love and tranquility, do preserve fellowly society among men, do defend the good, bring inordinate persons into better order, and lastly do not make a little only to the setting for ward of religion, but do also abrogate evil customs, and utterly banish unlawful mischiefs.