A17183:1574
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 remnant, saith he, are saved by the election of grace. And immediately after be addeth: If it be of grace, then is it not now of works, for then grace is no more grace. Howe then is eternal life, which is gotten by works, a gift? Or else did not the Apostle say that everlasting life is a gift? Yes verily he said it so plainly that we cannot deny it.
The remnant, saith hee, are saued by the election of grace. And immediately after be addeth: If it be of grace, then is it not nowe of workes, for then grace is no more grace. Howe then is eternal life, which is gotten by workes, a gift? Or else did not the Apostle say that euerlastinge life is a gifte? Yes verily he saide it so plainly that we cannot denye it.
Neither are his words so obscure, that they require a sharp understander, but an attentive hearer. For when he had said, the reward of sin is death, he addeth straightways: but the gift of God is life everlasting, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Me thinketh therefore that this question can be none otherwise resolved, unless we understand that even our good works, to which eternal life is given, must be referred to the grace and gift of God: because the Lord Jesus saith, without me ye can do nothing. And the Apostle, when he had said, ye are saved by grace through faith, doeth presently add: and that not of your selves, it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.
Neither are his words so obscure, that they require a sharpe vnderstander, but an attentiue hearer. For when he had saide, the rewarde of sinne is death, he addeth streightwayes: but the gift of God is life euerlasting, in Iesu Christ our Lorde. Mee thinketh therefore that this question can bee none otherwise resolued, vnlesse wee vnderstand that euen our good workes, to which eternall life is giuen, must be referred to the grace and gift of God: because the Lord Iesus saith, without mee ye can do nothing. And the Apostle, when he had saide, ye are saued by grace through faith, doeth presently adde: and that not of your selues, it is the gifte of God: not of workes, lest any man shoulde boast.