A17183:1641
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.
Again, least they should say that ⟨p. 472⟩they by their works did meritoriously deserve such a gift, he doeth presently annex: Not of works, least any man should boast. Not because he did deny or make void good works, considering that he saith, that God doeth reward every man according to his works: but for because works are of faith, and not faith of works. And so by this means our works of righteousness proceed from him, from whom that faith doeth also come, touching which it is said: The just doth live by faith.
Againe, least they should saye that ⟨p. 472⟩they by their workes did meritoriously deserue such a gift, he doeth presently annexe: Not of woorkes, least any man should boast. Not because he did denie or make voyd good workes, considering that hee saith, that God doeth reward euery man according to his works: but forbecause workes are of faith, and not faith of workes. And so by this meanes our workes of righteousnesse procéede from him, from whō that faith doeth also come, touching which it is said: The iust doth liue by faith.
All this have I hitherto word for word recited out of Augustine: wherein, all that may be said concerning the merits of good works, are sufficiently well contained, and so soundly confirmed by proofs of Scripture, that I mean not to ad any thing unto them: for I see it is sufficiently manifest for all to understand, what and how the ancient fathers thought and taught of the merits of sinful men. For what can be said more briefly, sincerely, & fully, than that a reward is prepared for the good works of men? but yet that that reward is nothing else but the grace: and that the merits or good works of the Saints are the gift of God: which merits while he crowneth, he crowneth his own gifts. In all this therefore the Ecclesiastical & Apostolic doctrine remaineth still immutable and unreprovable, That we are justified and saved by the grace of God through faith, and not through our own good works or merits.