A17183:727
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.
Since therefore that envy is so great an evil, and that the Lord commandeth to keep our selves from it, therein doth appear the Lords goodness to us ward, and thereby we may gather how good & profitable his law is, which tendeth and is given to none other end, but to set us at liberty from so great a mischief. And here by the way, we do perceive that our fault and not the waywardness of God is the cause, whi• many in this world are never at peace and quietness, but are exceedingly vexed with continual torments. For as they cease not to envy the estate of other, so with their anger they disquiet more then themselves, and do at last duly aby and worthily suffer the deserved punishment of their wicked deeds.
Since therefore that enuie is so great an euill, and that the Lord commaundeth to kéepe our selues from it, therin doth appeare ye Lords goodnes to vs ward, and thereby wée may gather how good & profitable his law is, which tendeth and is giuen to none other end, but to set vs at libertie from so great a mischiefe. And héere by ye way, wée do perceiue that our faulte and not the waywardnesse of God is the cause, whi• many in this world are neuer at peace and quietnesse, but are excéedingly vexed with continuall torments. For as they ceasse not to enuie the estate of other, so with their anger they disquiet more then themselues, and doe at last duely aby and worthily suffer the deserued punishment of their wicked déedes.
And this law doth not only forbid 1and restrain the motions and evil affections of the mind by wrath, anger and envy, but doth also give commandment against all manner hurt that riseth by them. Harm and hurt is done by sundry means, by beating, by violent thrusting, by over throwing, by pulling, and troubling, although in doing so, thou doest not wound thy neighbour. But thy sin is the greater, if thou givest him a wound after what sort soever, either with weapon, or by any means else. And again thou sinnest yet more grievously, if thou dost quite cut off, or otherwise break any limb of his body, if thou puttest out his eyes, or dashest a tooth out of his head. So then the better that the limb is that thou cuttest off, or puttest out of joint, the greater is thy sin, and more grievous thine offence. From whence without doubt the law called