A17183:1639
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.
Which sentence cannot be by any means so inverted, that we may say: It is not of God, which taketh mercy, but of the willer, and of the runner. For whosoever dare take upon him so to invert that sentence of the holy Apostle, he doeth openly show that he flatly gainsayeth the words of Saint Paul.
Whiche sentence cannot bée by any meanes so inuerted, that wée may saye: It is not of God, whiche taketh mercie, but of the willer, and of the runner. For whosoeuer dare take vppon him so to inuerte that sentence of the holy Apostle, hee doeth openlye shewe that hee flattly gainesayeth the woordes of Sainct Paule.
Last of all he said, I have kept the faith: but in an other place again he confesseth saying. I have obtained mercy that I might be faithful. He said not, I have obtained mercy, because I am faithful, but, That I might be faithful: declaring thereby that faith it self cannot be obtained without the mercy of God, and that faith is the gift of God, as he doeth most evidently teach where he sayeth: Ye are saved by Grace thorough faith, and that not of your selves, it is the gift of God. For they might say: We have therefore received Grace, because we have believed: by that means attributing, as it were, Faith to themselves, and Grace to God: but to prevent that insinuation, the holy Apostle Saint Paul when he had said, By faith, doeth straight ways add, And that not of your selves, it is the gift of God.
Last of all hee saide, I haue kepte the faith: but in an other place againe hée confesseth saying. I haue obteined mercie that I might bee faithfull. Hée said not, I haue obteined mercie, béecause I am faithfull, but, That I mighte bée faithfull: declaring thereby that faith it selfe cannot bée obteined without the mercie of God, and that faith is the gifte of God, as hee doeth most euidently teache where he sayeth: Yee are saued by Grace thoroughe faith, and that not of your selues, it is the gift of God. For they mighte saye: Wée haue therefore receiued Grace, béecause wee haue beléeued: by that meanes attributing, as it were, Fayth to themselues, and Grace to God: but to preuent that insinuation, the holy Apostle Saincte Paule when hee had saide, By faith, doeth streighte wayes add, And that not of your selues, it is the gifte of God.