A17183:753
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.
In the second place that is set down, which in deed is the first, Let him fear God, let him be religious, and not superstitious. No idolater preserveth the common weal, but rather destroyeth it, and a wicked man defendeth not truth and true Religion, 1but persecuteth and driveth them out of his jurisdiction. Let this magistrate of ours therefore be of the right Religion, sound in faith, believing the word of GOD, and knowing that God is present among men, and doth repay to whom he list according to their deserts. And for that cause Justinian the Emperor in Novellis Constitutionib. 109. doth freely confess that all his help is of God, and that therefore it is convenient that the making of all laws should depend upon him alone. Immediately after he saith: It is known ⟨p. 176⟩very well to all men that they in whose hands the Empire was before it came to us, and especially that Leo of worthy memory, and the most sacred prince Justine our father, did in their constitutions flatly forbid all heretics to be admitted soldiers in any warfare, or dealers in matters concerning the common weal, that the less occasion might be given by receiving them into the fellowship of war or handling of public affairs, for any to think, that they corrupt the members of Gods holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. And this decree do we establish. Thus saith the Emperor. And the godly man verily prayeth to God and receiveth wisdom at the Lords hand. And where the Princes are Gods friends and have often conference with God, there is hope that those common weals shall prosper and flourish. But on the other side there must needs be feared an unhappy end of that common weal where the enemies of God have the preeminence. Thirdly there is required of him which must be chosen and called to be magistrate, that he be true in word and deed, so that he be not found to be an hypocrite, a liar, a deceiver, a turncoat, nor one which out of one mouth, doth blow both hot and cold: but faithful, simple, a plain dealer, and blameless. He must not be more liberal in promising than in performing. He must not be one that setteth light by an oath, not a false swearer, nor a perjured man.
In the second place that is set downe, which in déede is the first, Let him feare God, let him be religious, and not superstitious. No idolatrer preserueth the common weale, but rather destroyeth it, and a wicked man defendeth not truth and true Religion,