B11843:8
The tragedies of tyrants Exercised upon the church of God, from the birth of…The tragedies of tyrantes Exercised vpon the church of God, from the birth of…
The tragedies of tyrants Exercised upon the church of God, from the birth of Christ unto this present year. 1572. Containing the causes of them, and the just vengeance of God upon the authors. Also some notable comforts and exhortations to patience. Written by Henry Bullinger, and now Englished.The tragedies of tyrantes Exercised vpon the church of God, from the birth of Christ vnto this present yeere. 1572. Containing the causes of them, and the iust vengeance of God vpon the authours. Also some notable comfortes and exhortations to pacience. Written by Henrie Bullinger, and now Englished.
London: printed by William How for Abraham Veale, 1575
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
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.
And therefore very well these guiltless children, with their parents are numbered among them which have suffered persecution for Christs sake. Neither is it to be doubted, but these children by the force and efficacy of the free grace and promise of God, were in the league and therefore had received Circumcision, the sign and token of the league, and were the suns of God, and then also were endued with the crown of martyrdom for Christs cause.1
And therefore verie well these glytlesse children, with their parentes are numbred among them whiche haue suffered persecution for Christes sake. Neither is it to bée doubted, but these children by the force and efficacye of the frée grace and promise of God, were in the league and therfore had receyued Cyrcumcysion, the signe and token of the league, and were the sunnes of God, and then also were endued with the crowne of martyrdome for Christes cause.1
- 1Curious questions touching these Children.
Since therefore God of his mercy, and goodness hath so gloriously dealt with these Children, let these curious questioners cease here to inquire, what God did mean, & why he suffered these silly and guiltless babes to be slain for Christs sake? Why he delivered not ⟨p. 3⟩them also as he did Christ, whom he conveyed by flight into Egypt? why he suffered the cruel Tyrant to commit so foul a murder? doth any such unaccustomed cruelty & savageness delight God? Likely enough it is, that at that time when these things were done, troublesome and carnal men uttered forth much such like talk. But the Godly, and men of sound judgement, do quite reject such thoughts and questions, nether do they speak against the government of God why he permitteth this or that, but with all their hart they say with David: The Lord is just in all his ways, and holly in all his works. Although the innocent children were deprived of this present life, yet were they rewarded with everlasting life, and endued with unspeakable glory and honour. As for the mourning and sorrow of the parents, God could requite that, sundry ways.