A17183:856
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.
So did David, when he withstood the war made on him by the Syrians. Or else the magistrate doth aid his confederates (for the magistrate may make league with the nations about him, so that thereby nothing be done against the word of God) when by tyrants they be wrongfully oppressed. For so did Joshua deliver the Cabaonites from the siege of their enemies, and Saul the men of Jabes Galaad, fighting for them against Nahas a Prince full of tyranny. In such cases as these magistrates and Princes do lawfully make war, and their soldiers and subjects do rightly obey them, yea they do with great glory die a happy death, that die in so just a quarrel, as for the defence of religion, of the laws of God, of his country, wife, and children. They therefore that enter into warfare to sustain the troublesome 1toil of battle, must not set their minds upon gain or pleasure, wherein they look, when peril is paste to lye ••ill and wallow: but justice, ⟨p. 213⟩public peace, defence of trueth and innocency must be the mark for them all to shoot at: to the intent, when the wicked are vanquished, the victory obtained, and the enemies put to flight, slain out of hand, or brought to better order, that then religion may flourish, judgement & justice may be exercised, the Church upheld, the ceremonies, rites, ordinances, and discipline thereof maintained, study and learning cherished, the poor provided for, widows and children defended and cared for, ye all sorts may live in quiet peace, that old men in reverence, maidens in chastity, and matrons in honesty may serve God, praise God, and worship God without fear or danger. This was the mark, whereto our fathers Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David and other valiant men of famous memory, did direct the eyes of their bodies and minds, upon this only their hearts were settled, so often as they warred and went to battle against ungodly tyrants in defence of the Church and common weal. To whom and to all other valiant and godly soldiers eternal praise is duly given of all the Church and faithful saints.
So did Dauid, when he withstoode the warre made on him by the Syrians. Or else the magistrate doth ayde his confederates (for the magistrate may make league with the nations about him, so that thereby nothinge be done against the word of God) when by tyrauntes they be wrongfully oppressed. For so did Iosue deliuer the Cabaonites frō the siege of their enimies, and Saule the men of Iabes Galaad, fighting for them against Nahas a Prince full of tyrannie. In such cases as these magistrats and Princes do lawfully make warre, and their souldiers and subiects doe rightlie obey them, yea they doe with greate glorie die a happie death, that die in so iuste a quarell, as for the defence of religiō, of the lawes of God, of his countrie, wife, and children. They therefore that enter into warrfare to susteine the troublesome