An instruction decoder (220) includes an emulation code sequencer (510) and emulation code ROM (520) for handling various instructions. The emulation code ROM includes a sequence of operations (Op) and an operation sequencing control code (OpSeq). Branch instructions such as conditional branch instructions may be encoded into the emulation code ROM so that a second branch, in combination with the branching operation controlled by the OpSeq code, is applied to an operation code sequence. Two-way branching permits flexible branching to locations within the emulation code ROM so that memory capacity is conserved. A superscalar microprocessor (120) includes an instruction decoder having an emulation code control circuit and an emulation ROM which emulates the function of a logic instruction decoder. The emulation code ROM is arranged as a matrix of multiple-operation (Op) units with each multiple-Op unit including a control field that points to a next location in the emulation code ROM. In one embodiment, the emulation code ROM is arranged to include a plurality of four-Op units, called Op quads, with each Op quad including a sequencing control field, called an OpSeq field.