Fifty Godly and Learned Sermons (The Decades)

But now how foul and detestable an offence murder is, that proceedeth ¹of malice, I think it expedient for me to declare to you, and you to mark in this that followeth. For the consideration thereof being throughly scanned, must needs undoubtedly work so in the hearts of men, that fewer murders shall be committed, and that every one shall endeavour himself the more by suppressing anger, to preserve mankind, who is the holy similitude of God himself. The very deed of murder it self fighteth directly and disobediently against the eternal God, who is the life and salvation of the world. For murder destroyeth the very image of God. Because man is created to the similitude and likeness of God. If a man should of purpose deface the image of the King or Prince set up at their commandment, he should be accused of treason committed: in how great danger is he then that doth destroy a man, which is the reasonable, lively and very picture of God himself. We read that Theodosius the Emperor did determine to destroy a great number of the Citizens of Antioch, for none other cause, but for overthrowing that Image that was set up, for the honour of Placilla Augusta: But thereunto is added, that one Macedonius an Hermit came to the Emperors messengers & said: O my friends, go say to the Emperor, Thou art not an Emperor only but also a man. Do not thou cruelly destroy the image of God. Thou angerest thy maker when thou killest his image. Consider with thee self that thou art soa•ie for an image of brass. Now it is evident to all men what difference there is, betwixt a thing that is dead, and that which hath life, and a reasonable soul. Moreover it is an easy matter in stead of one brazen image to set up more: but it is unpossible to restore one hair to them that once are slain. Finally murder is clean contrary to the nature of man. For man cherisheth himself, and flesh destroyeth not it self, but preserveth and nourisheth it self so much as it may. But all we men as many as live, are of one lump, and of the same substantial flesh: to kill a man therefore is against mans nature. Furthermore all men are the children of one father, of one stock, & of the same progeny: murder therefore is directly against civil humanity, and is a plague that reigns among men.

But now how foule and detestable an offence murder is, that procéedeth ¹of malice, I thinck it expedient for me to declare to you, and you to marcke in this that followeth. For the consideration therof being throughly scanned, must needes vndoubtedly woorke so in the hartes of men, that fewer murders shalbe committed, and that euerie one shal endeuour himselfe the more by suppressing anger, to preserue mankind, who is the holie similitude of God himselfe. The very déede of murder it selfe fighteth directly and disobediently against ye eternall God, who is the life and saluation of the world. For murder destroyeth the very image of God. Because man is created to the similitude and likenesse of God. If a man should of purpose deface the image of the King or Prince set vp at their commaundement, hée should be accused of treason committed: in how great daunger is he then that doth destroy a man, which is the reasonable, liuely and very picture of God himselfe. Wée read that Theodosius the Emperour did determine to destroy a great number of the Citizens of Antioch, for none other cause, but for ouerthrowing yt Image that was set vp, for the honour of Placilla Augusta: But thereunto is added, yt one Macedonius an Heremite came to the Emperours messingers & said: O my friends, goe say to the Emperour, Thou art not an Emperour only but also a man. Do not thou cruellie destroy the image of God. Thou angrest thy maker when thou killest his image. Consider with thee selfe that thou art soaie for an image of brasse. Now it is euidēt to al mē what difference there is, betwixt a thing that is dead, and that which hath life, and a reasonable soule. Moreouer it is an easie matter in steede of one brasen image to set vp more: but it is vnpossible to restore one haire to them that once are slaine. Finally murder is clean contrary to the nature of man. For man chéerisheth himselfe, and flesh destroyeth not it selfe, but preserueth and nourisheth it selfe so much as it may. But al wée men as many as liue, are of one lumpe, and of the same substantiall flesh: to kill a man therefore is against mans nature. Furthermore al men are the children of one father, of one stocke, & of the same progenie: murder therefore is directly against ciuil humanitie, and is a plague that reigns amōg men.