A17183:1613
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.
For unless that sanctification, which is the very true and only sanctification in deed, do go before, our sanctification (I mean that which we work) is none at all. But if that go before, then is this of ours imputed for sanctification, although in the mean while the spots of sin remaining in us do defile it, and that we do put no confidence in it. Therefore so often as thou shalt read in the holy scriptures, that righteousness is attributed to our good works, thou shalt think straightways that it is done for none other causes than those which I have hitherto already declared unto thee. For the Apostolical spirit cannot be repugnant or contrary to it self.
For vnlesse that sanctification, which is the verie true and onely sanctification in déede, do goe before, our sanctification (I meane that whiche we worke) is none at all. But if that go before, then is this of oures imputed for sanctification, although in the meane while the spottes of sinne remaining in vs doe defile it, and that we do put no confidence in it. Therefore so often as thou shalt reade in the holy scriptures, that righteousnesse is attributed to our good woorkes, thou shalt thinke streightwayes that it is done for none other causes than those which I haue hitherto alreadie declared vnto thee. For the Apostolical spirite cannot be repugnant or contrarie to it selfe.
This will yet be made a great deal more manifest, if we call to remembrance 1and do consider that the Apostles had to deal with two kinds of men, the one sort whereof did affirm that they were sufficiently able of their own strength to satisfy or fulfil the law, and that they could by their deserts and good works merit eternal life: yea, they affirmed that the merit of Christ was not sufficient enough to the getting of salvation, unless the righteousness of men were added thereunto.
This wil yet be made a great deale more manifest, if we call to remembraunce 1