A17183:266
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.
IN my last sermon I declared unto you, how that the perfect exposition of Gods word doth differ nothing from the rule of true Faith, and the love of God and our neighbour. For undoubtedly, that sense of Scripture is corrupted, which doeth square from Faith and the two points of charity. I have now therefore next to treat of true faith and charity towards God and our neighbour, to the intent that no man may find lack of any thing herein. And first therefore by Gods help, and the good means of your prayers I will speak of true Faith.
IN my last sermō I declared vnto you, howe that the perfecte exposition of Gods worde doth differ nothinge frō the rule of true Faith, and the loue of God and our neighbour. For vndoubtedly, that sense of Scripture is corrupted, which doeth square from Faith and the two points of charitie. I haue now therfore next to treate of true faith and charitie towards God and our neighbour, to the intent that no man may finde lacke of any thing herein. And first therefore by Gods help, and the good means of your prayers I wil speake of true Faith.
This word Faith or belief, is diversly used in the common talk of men: For it is taken for any kind of religion or honour done to God. As we say, the Christian faith, the Jewish faith, and the Turkish faith. Faith or belief also, is taken for a conceived opinion of any thing that is told us, as when we hear any thing rehearsed unto us out of the Indian or Ethiopian history, we by & by say that we believe it, and yet notwithstanding we put no confidence in it, nor hope to have any commodity thereby at all. This is that faith, wherewith Saint James saith that the devil believeth and trembleth. Last of all, faith is commonly put for an assured and undoubted confidence in God and his word. Among the Hebrews faith taketh her name of truth, certainty and assured constancy. The Latins call that faith, when that is done which is said. Whereupon one saith, I demand of thee whether thou believest or no? Thou answerest, I believe, do them that which thou sayest, and it is faith. Therefore in this treatise of ours, faith is an undoubted belief most firmly grounded in the mind. This faith, which is a settled 1