A17183:807
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.
The other disease of these twain is 1fear, a very vehement affection of the mind, which disturbeth the very best and most excellent counsels, and choketh up Virtue before it come to light. Under fear we do contain hope also, I mean, of commodity, and so by that means by fear we understand the corruption of bribes. The Judge that stands in fear to loose his life or goods, or is afraid to displease a noble man, or is loath to loose the common peoples good will: he also that taketh bribes, or is in hope to be rewarded at one of the parties hands, doth pervert equity, and advance iniquity. The Lord saith therefore, Ye shall not fear any mortal man: ye shall not look for any reward at any mans hand. He addeth the reason why: Because the ⟨p. 194⟩matter is not yours, neither were ye called to do your own business, but the judgement is the Lords. The will and law of God therefore must be respected: For God is able to defend just Judges from the unjust hatred of any, whatsoever they be, and against all wrong and open violence.
The other disease of these twaine is 1feare, a verie vehement affection of the minde, which disturbeth the verie best and most excellent counsells, and choaketh vppe Vertue before it come to light. Vnder feare wée doe conteine hope also, I meane, of commoditie, and so by that meanes by feare wée vnderstande the corruption of bribes. The Iudge that standes in feare to loose his life or goods, or is afrayde to displease a noble man, or is loath to loose the common peoples good will: hée also that taketh bribes, or is in hope to be rewarded at one of the parties handes, doth peruerte equitie, and aduaunce iniquitie. The Lord saith therefore, Yée shall not feare any mortall man: yee shall not looke for any reward at any mans hand. Hée addeth the reason whie: Because the ⟨p. 194⟩matter is not yours, neither were yée called to doe your owne businesse, but the iudgemente is the Lords. The will and lawe of God therefore must bée respected: For God is able to defende iuste Iudges from the vniuste hatred of any, whatsoeuer they bée, and against all wronge and open violence.