A17183:659
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.
Be courageous therefore, and let us fight lustily for our people and for the cities of our God. And let the Lord do the thing that is good in his own eyes. Moreover, Judas Maccabeus, a man among the Israelites worthily esteemed, and a famous warrior, being singularly affected toward his country, encouraging his soldiers and countrymen against their enemies, said: They come upon us wrongfully in hope of their force, to spoil & make havoc of us, with our wives and children, but we fight for our lives & liberty of our laws, and the Lord will destroy them before our faces. The people also among them selves exhorting one another, do cry out and say. Let us take this affliction from our people, and let us fight for our nation and our religion. Let not any man make an objection here, and say: Tush these are works pertaining to the law, which we that are in the church of Christ, have nothing to do withal. For the Apostle Paul speaking to the Hebrews, as concerning Christian faith doth say. These through faith did subdue kingdoms, wrought righteousness, 1were valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of aliens. Now since our faith is all one, and the very same with theirs, it is lawful for us as well as for them, in a rightful quarrel, by war to defend our country and religion, our virgins and old men, our wives and children, our liberty and possessions. They are flatly unnatural to their country and countrymen, and do transgress this fifth commandment, whosoever do (under the pretence of religion) forsake their country afflicted with war, not endeavouring to deliver it from barbarous soldiers and foreign nations, even by offering their lives to the push and pike of present death, for the safeguard thereof. Saint John saith: By this we know his love, by cause he gave his life for us, and we ought to 2give our lives for the brethren. The hired soldiers, who fight unlawful battles for pay of wages, and sell their bodies for greediness of money, shall judge the men that leave their country in peril and danger. For the one put less of life and limbs in adventure for gain of a few odd crowns: ⟨p. 151⟩whereas the other dainty fools and effeminate hearts, will not hazard the loss of a limb for their religion, magistrates, wives, children, and all their possessions.