A17183:822
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 now that I have declared the 1right use of the sword, & proved that the magistrate hath power to revenge mens injuries, and to kill heinous offenders, let us go on to consider what the causes be, for which God commandeth to punish transgressors, let us see also when they ought to be punished, and lastly what kinds of punishment or penalties the magistrate must use.
Since now that I haue declared ye 1right vse of the sword, & proued that the magistrate hath power to reueng mens iniuries, and to kill haynous offenders, let vs goe on to consider what the causes bée, for which God cōmaundeth to punish transgressors, let vs sée also when they ought to be punished, and lastlie what kinds of punishment or penalties the magistrate must vse.
- 1For what •auses God commanded to kill offenders.For what •auses God commaunded to kill offenders.
The especial causes for which the Lord doth openly command to punish offenders, are for the most part these that follow. The Lord resisteth force with force, & worketh the safeguard and salvation of men, he revengeth them that suffer wrong, and restoreth again whatsoever may be restored. He declareth his justice also, which rewardeth every one according to his deeds. And therefore he wipeth out reproachful deeds, with a reproachful death. He putteth offenders in mind of their crime, and therewithal for the most part doth give them sense of repentance unto salvation. For if the wicked do acknowledge his fault, & repent himself of his ill deed, and believe in Christ with all his heart, his sin is forgiven him & be is saved: as we have an evident example in the thief that was crucified, 1