A17183:823
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 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, 1whose punishment was an occasion of his salvation. But from the other this salvation was far off, because he did not believe in Christ, and would not be warned by the pain, y• he felt for his offence, to repent for his sins, and to call to God for mercy. Furthermore by public judgment and open execution all other men may take example to learn to beware of like offences, unless they will suffer like horror of torments.
The especiall causes for which the Lord doth openly commaunde to punish offenders, are for the most part these that follow. The Lord resisteth force with force, & worketh the safegard and saluation of men, he reuengeth them that suffer wronge, and restoreth againe whatsoeuer may be restored. Hée declareth his iustice also, which rewardeth euerie one according to his déedes. And therefore hée wipeth out reprochfull déedes, with a reprochfull death. Hée putteth offenders in minde of their crime, and therwithall for the most part doth giue them sense of repentaunce vnto saluation. For if the wicked do acknowledge his fault, & repent himself of his ill déede, and beléeue in Christ with al his heart, his sinne is forgiuen him & bée is saued: as wée haue an euident example in the thiefe that was crucified, 1whose punishment was an occasion of his saluation. But from the other this saluation was farre off, because he did not belieue in Christ, and would not be warned by the paine, y• he felt for his offence, to repent for his sinnes, and to call to God for mercie. Furthermore by publique iudgment and open execution all other men may take example to learne to beware of like offences, vnlesse they will suffer like horrour of torments.