A17183:618
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.
Now in these days it is usually of custom demanded, whether we 1ought to keep or perform wicked or ungodly, unjust or evil vows, or oaths: as if for example, thy oath or vow should directly tend against God, against true religion, against the word of God, or the health of thy neighbour?
Nowe in these dayes it is vsually of custome demaunded, whether we 1ought to kéepe or performe wicked or vngodly, vniust or euill vowes, or othes: as if for example, thy othe or vowe should directly tende againste God, against true religion, against the worde of God, or the healthe of thy neighbour?
- 1Whether wicked oaths must be perfou• med.Whether wicked o•thes must be perfou• med.
I will here allege and rehearse the usual and accustomed answer, which notwithstanding, is very true, and grounded upon examples of holy Scriptures, as that that squareth not from the truth the narrow breadth of one small hair. The answer therefore is this: if any man shall swear against the faith and charity, so that the keeping of his oath may t••d to the worse, then it is better for him to change his oath, then to fulfil it. Whereupon Saint Ambrose saith, It is sometime contrary to a mans 1duty to perform the oath, that he hath promised, as Herod did. Isidore also saith, In evil promises break thine oath, in a naughty vow change thy purpose. The thing thou haste unadvisedly vowed, do not perform. The promise is wicked that is finished with mischief. And again, That oath must not be kept, whereby any evil is unwarily promised. As if for example, one should give his faith to an adulteress, to abide in naughtiness with her for ever: undoubtedly, it is more tolerable, not to keep promise, then to remain in whoredom still. Bede moreover saith: If it shall happen that we at unawares shall with an oath promise any thing, and that the keeping of that oath shall be the cause of further evil, then let us think it best upon better advice to change our oath without hurt to our conscience: and that it is better upon such a necessity for us to be forsworn, then for avoiding of perjury, to fall into another sin ten times worse then that. David sware by God, that he would kill the foolish fellow Naball, but at the first intercession that his wife Abigail wiser then him self did make, he ceased to threaten him, he sheathed his sword again, and did not find him self any whit grieved for breaking his hasty oath.