A17183:613
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.
let the peers of the people keep inviolably that which they swear, and let them take heed, that they do not rashly require an oath of light headed fellows, let them not compare any thing, or think any thing to be equal to an oath, but let them reverently, and last of all, have their recourse to that, as to the utmost remedy to find out the truth, and therewithal, let them use sharp punishment against perjured persons. But woe to the peoples princes, if through their wicked negligence, an oath be not esteemed. For he, without doubt, will punish them sharply for it, who saith: By cause I will not suffer him to go unpunished, that taketh the Lords name in vain.
let the peeres of the people keepe inuiolably that which they sweare, and let them take héed, that they do not rashly require an othe of light headed fellowes, let thē not compare any thing, or thinke any thing to be equall to an othe, but let them reuerently, and last of all, haue their recourse to that, as to the vtmost remedie to finde out the truth, and therewithall, let them vse sharpe punishment against periured persons. But woe to the peoples princes, if through their wicked negligēce, an othe be not estéemed. For he, without doubt, will punishe them sharply for it, who sayth: By cause I will not suffer him to goe vnpunished, that taketh the Lordes name in vaine.
Thirdly, I will tell you what an oath is, and what it is to swears. An 1oath is the calling, or taking to witness of Gods name, to confirm the truth of that we say. There is difference betwixt an oath, and that deep kind of swearing, whereby God is blasphemed & torn in pieces. There is difference too, betwixt an oath and those bitter speeches, where with we use to curse and ban our neighbours. They are not worthy doubtless to be called oaths. But for because this word Juramentum is over largely used for any hynde of oath, as well in the worse as better part, therefore the godly & lawful oaths, are wisely called by the name of Jusiurandū. For by […] which signifieth the law we are admonished that that kind of oath is lawful and righteous. Now this taking of Gods name to witness, hath joined to it a calling on, and a vowing our selves to Gods curse and vengeance. For this is the manner of an oath and order of swearing, I will say or do t truly, in deed, and without deceit, so God may help me. Therefore we put our selves in danger of Gods wrath and vengeance, unless we do truly and in deed, both speak and do the thing, that we promised to do or speak. A very deep and solemn promise making is this, then the which verily there is not a greater to be found in the world. Here also must be considered the circumstances and ceremonies