A17183:1626
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 name of Merits is an una• quainted 1term, not used in the Scriptures. For in that signification wherein our Merit workers use it, to wit, for meritorious works, for that, I mean, whereunto both life and the grace of GOD is of duty given as debt that is due, in that signification I say, it doeth obscure the Grace of God, and maketh man too proud and arrogant. What I pray you can our works deserve, since none of the Saints durst be so bold as to plead their merits before the Lord? Job crieth, If I will justify me self, mine own mouth shall condemn me: If I will go about to show me self to be an innocent, he shall prove me a wicked doer. If I wash me self with snow water, and make my hands never so clean at the well, yet shalt thou dip me in the mire, and mine own garments shall defile me.
The name of Merits is an vna• quainted 1terme, not vsed in the Scriptures. For in that signification wherin our Merite woorkers vse it, to wit, for meritorious woorkes, for that, I meane, wherevnto both life and the grace of GOD is of duetie giuen as debt that is due, in that signification I saye, it doeth obscure the Grace of God, and maketh man too proude and arrogant. What I pray you can our woorkes deserue, since none of the Sainctes durst bée so bold as to plead their merites before the Lord? Iob cryeth, If I wil iustifie mee selfe, mine owne mouthe shall condemne mee: If I will goe about to shewe mee selfe to bee an innocent, hee shall proue mee a wicked doer. If I washe mee selfe with snowe water, and make my handes neuer so cleane at the wel, yet shalt thou dippe me in the myre, and mine owne garmentes shall defile mee.
- 1[…]〈…〉