A17183:788
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.
By this that I have spoken it is apparently evident, that laws are good and not to be broken, & how far forth they do admit the Princes [Greek or Hebrew], that is, the Princes moderation, interpretation, limitation or dispensation, least peradventure that old and accustomed Proverb be rightly applied unto them: Law with extremity, is extreme injury.
By this that I haue spoken it is apparauntly euident, that lawes are good and not to be broken, & how farre forth they doe admit the Princes 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, that is, the Princes moderation, interpretation, limitation or dispensation, least peraduēture that old and accustomed Prouerbe bée rightly applied vnto them: Lawe with extremitie, is extreme iniurie.
Hitherto I have declared that laws are good, profitable, necessary, 1and not to be broken: it remaineth now to tell what and what kind of laws the magistrate ought most chiefly to use for the ordering and maintaining of honesty, justice & public peace according to his office. Some there are whose opinion is, that the ⟨p. 189⟩magistrate ought not to use any written laws, but that he should rather give sentence as he thought best according to natural equity, as the circumstances 2of place, time, persons, and cases do seem to require. Other some there are that do their endeavour to thrust into all kingdoms and common weals, the Judicial laws of Moses. And some there are which having once rejected the law of Moses, will have no judgement given in law, but what is derived out of the laws of heathen Princes. But since they that have the preeminence and magistrates authority, are men either good or bad: and since that even in the best men, courteousness, anger, hatred, favour, grief, fear, and other affections are rife to be found, to whom I pray you have they committed the common weal, which rejecting all written statutes and certain laws, would have every man that is a magistrate to give judgment as he himself thinketh best? Have they not committed their common weal to the rule of a beast? But what shall I say then of evil men that are in authority, since in the best men things are so amiss? As good were a kingdom subject to the furies of hell, as bound to the judgments of naughty men. But we will (say they) have them give judgement according to the equity of natures law, and not after the lust of their corrupt affection. Mine answer is to that, that they will give judgement as affection leadeth them without controlment, and say that they judged by natural equity. They cannot, they will say, judge otherwise, nor otherwise understand the pith of the matter. They think that best which they have determined: and nothing is done contrary to conscience: and thou for thy labour shalt be called Coram nobis for daring find fault with their sentence in judgment. And so shall the just man perish, barbarous affections shall have the upper hand, and naughty men rule all the roast.