A17183:614
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.
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 2in swearing. For our ancestors of old, were wont to lift their hand up unto heaven, and to swear by the name of the Lord. The Lord our God dwelleth in heaven. We therefore do manifestly declare, that as in the judges eyes we lift our hand to heaven, even so in our minds we do ascend & swear in the presence & sight of God, yea, we give our hand, and plight our faith to God there, in taking an oath by the name of God. This ceremony used Abraham the singular friend of God, & father of the faithful, when he was wont to swear. I need not therefore to proceed any further, for to declare whether 3we ought to swear by the name of god alone, or else by the names of saints, or else by laying the hand upon the holy Gospel? For it is manifest that the faithful must swear by the only eternal & most high god. Touching which thing we have most evident precepts, commanding us to swear by the name of the Lord, & again, forbidding us to swear by the names of strange Gods. Of the first sort are these.