A17183:830
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.
But in the execution of this punishment, 1there must a great consideration had and observed. First of the persons: then of the errors: and lastly of the penalties. For in persons there is great diversity: because there are some standard bearers, and heady grand captains, which are stout, hypocrites, and full of tongue, & therefore y• aptest for to seduce, who falling headlong without amendment to their own destruction, do with themselves draw other into danger. They must by all means be bridled and kept under as plagues to the Church, least like a canker they spread all over. Again there are some silly seduced souls made fools by other men, which err not of malice, nor stubborn stomach, but do repent and amend in time. These the magistrate must not straightway condemn, but pray to the Lord and bear with their error, and teach them in the spirit of gentleness, until they be brought to a better mind.
But in ye execution of this punishment, 1there must a great consideratibe had and obserued. First of the persons: then of the errours: and lastly of the penalties. For in persons there is great diuersitie: because there are some standard bearers, and headie graund capitaines, which are stoute, hypocrites, and full of tongue, & therfore y• aptest for to seduce, who falling headlong without amēdment to their owne destruction, do with themselues draw other into daunger. They must by al meanes be brideled and kept vnder as plagues to the Church, least like a cancker they spread all ouer. Againe there are some sillie seduced soules made fooles by other men, which erre not of malice, nor stubborne stomach, but doe repente and amend in time. These the magistrate must not streightway condemne, but pray to the Lord and beare with their error, and teach them in the spirit of gentlenesse, vntill they be brought to a better minde.
- 1What moderation must be had in punishing.