A17183:620
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.
Augustine also sayeth, Whereas David did not by shedding of blood perform his promise bound with an oath, therein his godliness was the greater. David sware rashly, but upon better and godly advice, he performed not the thing he had sworn. By this and the like it is declared that many oaths are not to be observed. ⟨p. 135⟩Now he that sweareth so, doth sin: but in changing his oath, he doth very well. He that changeth not such an oath, cometh a double sin, first for swearing as he ought not, and then for doing that he should not. Thus much hitherto have I rehearsed of other mens words, which all men verily acknowledge to be true, and so in deed. Now by this ye do easily understand (dearly beloved) what ye have to think of those monastical vows, and Priests oaths, which promise chastity, (no farther 1ywis by their leave, than mans frail weakness will suffer them.) For it is better, saith the Apostle, to marry than to burn. And more commendable is it, not to perform those foolish, hurtful, and unpure promises, that drive them perforce to filthy uncleanness, then under the colour of keeping an oath truly, to lye and to live unchastly God wot.
Augustine also sayeth, Whereas Dauid did not by sheading of bloude perfourme his promise bound with an othe, therein his godlynesse was the greater. Dauid sware rashly, but vpon better and godly aduice, he performed not the thing he had sworne. By this and the like it is declared that many othes are not to be obserued. ⟨p. 135⟩Now he that sweareth so, doth sinne: but in chaunging his othe, hee doth verie well. Hee that chaungeth not suche an othe, committh a double sinne, firste for swearing as he ought not, and then for doing that he shuld not. Thus much hitherto haue I rehearsed of other mens wordes, which al men verily acknowledge to be true, and so in déede. Nowe by this ye doe easily vnderstande (dearely beloued) what ye haue to thinke of those monasticall vowes, and Priestes othes, whiche promise chastitie, (no farther 1ywis by their leaue, than mans fraile weaknesse will suffer them.) For it is better, sayth the Apostle, to marrie thē to burne. And more commendable is it, not to perfourme those foolishe, hurtfull, and vnpure promises, that driue them perforce to filthy vncleannesse, then vnder the colour of kéeping an othe truely, to lye and to liue vnchastly God wot.