A17183:609
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.
And therefore the Emperor Justinian In Novellis constitu. 77. writing 1to the citizens of Constantinople, saith: Moreover, because besides unspeakable lusts, some men lash out cursings ⟨p. 130⟩and oaths of God, thereby provoking him to anger, we therefore exhort them to abstain from cursings and oaths by his hair and head, and such other words like unto these. For if reproaches done unto men, are not left unrevenged, much more is he worthy to be punished, that stirreth God to anger with his villainy. And for such offences as these, do so many dearths, earthquakes, & plagues come unto men. We therefore admonish them to abstain from those crimes, for who soever after this admonition of ours shall be found faulty therein, they shall first show them selves unworthy to be beloved of men, & after that to, suffer such punishment as the law shall appoint. For we have given in charge to the right honourable the Lieutenant of our royal city, to apprehend the guilty, and to punish them extremely: lest peradventure at length for such sinners contempt, and such heinous offences, not only this city, but also the whole common weal be justly destroyed by Gods just vengeance. Thus much writeth he. Now by this we may gather, that not the least part of our calamities at these days do happen unto us, because of our detestable cursings, and horrible blasphemies, which very few magistrates, or none almost at all, do go about to redress, or punish as they should do. The name of the living God is blasphemed, with passing deep and horrible oaths of all sorts, of all kinds, and all ages, so that I think verily, that from the beginning of the world there never was such a blasphemous people, as are in this cursed age of ours. And therefore are we vexed with unspeakable and endless calamities. For God is true, & can not lye, which saith, that they shall not scape scot-free that take his name in vain. The men of our time do not only take it in vain, but do of malice also blasphemously defile it. I would to God the Magistrates would more sincerely set forth the worship of God among the people: or else, if this may not be obtained at their hands, yet then at least, that they would be no worse nor godless then Caiaphas, who when he heard (as he thought) blasphemy against the name of God, did rent his clothes, and cry that the blasphemer was worthy to dye.
And therefore the Emperour Iustiman In Nouellis cōstitu. 77. writing