A17183:595
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.
God therefore is a sharp revenger, and a just judge against them that follow after strange Gods, or serve God unlawfully or irreligiously, & also against all them that swerve from the law of God. For he thundereth out this bitter punishment, especially against Idolaters, but therewithal inclusively he threateneth it to them, which break the rest of his commandments. For that which the Lord uttereth here, is generally spoken, and is of force and effect against all impiety and unrighteousness of all mankind. But for because Gods case is far more excellent then mans, they therefore do more heinously offend which break the first table, then they that sin against the second: and thereby do deserve a far more grievous pain and heavy punishment.
God therfore is a sharp reuenger, and a iust iudge against thē that followe after straunge Gods, or serue God vnlawfully or irreligiously, & also against all them that swarue from the lawe of God. For he thundereth out this bitter punishment, especially against Idolaters, but therewithall inclusiuely he threateneth it to them, which breake the rest of his commandements. For that which the Lorde vttereth here, is generally spoken, and is of force and effect against all impietie and vnrighteousnesse of all mankinde. But for bycause Gods case is far more excellent then mans, they therefore doe more hainously offend which breake the first table, then they that sinne against the second: and thereby do deserue a farre more grieuous paine and heauie punishment.
Now, whereas we see that the Lord 1saith that he will visit, and by inquisition punish the sins of the fathers in the children, unto the third and fourth generation: we must not by and by think that God is unjust and punisheth another mans fault in afflicting the innocent, that is, in whipping him that did not offend: as the Jews in Ezekiel did wickedly taunt and cavil with God, saying: The Fathers have eaten sower grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge. But it is not so. For every man shall bear his own offences, neither shall the son bear or abye the fathers sin, nor the father the sons iniquity. ⟨p. 125⟩