A17183:845
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 ninth Sermon.
TO the right of the sword, which God hath given to the Magistrate, doth war belong: For in my last Sermon I taught you, that the use of the sword in the magistrates hand, is two fold or of two sorts. For either he punisheth offenders there with: Or else repelleth the enemy that spoileth or would spoil his people, or cutteth off the rebellious purposes of his own seditious citizens.
TO the right of the swoord, which God hath giuen to the Magistrate, doth warre belong: For in my last Sermon I taught you, that the vse of the sword in the magistrates hand, is two fold or of two sortes. For either hée punisheth offenders there with: Or else repelleth the enimie that spoyleth or would spoile his people, or cutteth off ye rebellious purposes of his owne seditious citizens.
But many make a doubt, whether 1it be lawful for a magistrate to make war or no. And it is marvel to see them as blind as beetles in a matter of it self as plain as may be. For if the magistrate doth by Gods law punish offenders, thieves, and harmful persons, and that it maketh no matter whether they be few or many in number (as I declared in my yesterdays sermon:) even by the same law may he persecute, repel, and kill rebellious people, seditious citizens and barbarous soldiers, who under the pretence of war do attempt that openly, which thieves and robbers are wont to do privily. The Prophet (I confess) did among other things prophesy of us Christians, and say: They shall turn their swords into spades, and their javelins into scythes. For Christians have peace with all men, and do altogether abstain from armour. For every one doth that to an other which he would wish to have done to himself. But for because all are not so minded, but that many unruly persons, wicked thieves, and oppressors of the poor do live and dwell among honest and good meaning men, as wild beasts among harmless creatures, therefore God from heaven hath given the sword into the magistrates hand, to be a defence for harmless people against unruly cut throats. But we read not in any place, that we are forbidden to suppress and kill wolves, wild boars, bears, and such other beasts that do annoy and pray upon men or cattle: What let then should there be why we should not by lawful war begun in a good quarrel, repel the unjust injury of violent robbers, since thieves, robbers, barbarous soldiers and seditious citizens, do differ little or nothing from wild beasts? The Scripture verily doth not vouchsafe to call them by any other names, than by the names of beasts. Hereunto consenteth the common fence of nature: and herewithall agreeth the doctrine of faith and religion. If it be possible, (saith the Apostle) as much as lieth in you, live quietly with all men, not revenging your selves. See here, as much as lieth in you (saith ee,) and, if it be possible. Otherwise he addeth immediately after, The magistrate beareth not the sword in vain. He meaneth, for them that trouble all things & do annoy the men which do