A17183:815
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 Judgement was invented for the practising and preserving of Justice and upright dealing: it is manifest that to judge in matters of controversy, is not forbidden 1in the Gospel. The notable Prophets of the Lord, Isaiah and Zechariah, cry out and say: Cease to do evil, learn to do good, seek after Judgement, help the oppressed, 2and plead the cause of the fatherless and widow. Execute true Judgement, show mercy and loving kindness every man to his brother. Do the widow, the fatherless, the stranger, and poor no wrong.
Since therefore that Iudgemente was inuented for the practisinge and preseruinge of Iustice and vprighte dealinge: it is manifeste that to iudge in matters of controuersie, is not forbidden 1in the Gospell. The notable Prophets of the Lord, Esai and Zacharie, crie oute and saye: Ceasse to doe euill, learne to doe good, seeke after Iudgemente, helpe the oppressed, 2and pleade the cause of the fatherlesse and widdowe. Execute true Iudgemente, shewe mercie and louinge kindenesse euerie manne to his brother. Doe the widdowe, the fatherlesse, the straunger, and poore no wronge.
They sin therefore that go on to hinder Judgement, and to thrust Judges beside their Seats: For as they pull away from the true God no small part of his worship, so do they open a wide gate to wrong, robbery, and oppression of the poor. The Lord (I grant) commanded that, which our adversaries have alleged, meaning there by to settle quietness among his people: but because the malice of men is invincible, and the long suffering of silly Souls, makes wicked knaves more mischievous, therefore the Lord hath not forbidden nor condemned the moderate use of Judgements in law. Moreover we read in the Acts of the Apostles, that Paul did oftener than once, use the benefit of Judgement, not for money or goods, but for his life, which he endeavoured to