A17183:274
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.
But that this faith inspired from 1heaven, and learned out of the word of trueth, doth put into mans mind an undoubted persuasion, that is, that whatsoever we believe in the word of God, we do believe it most assuredly without wavering or doubting, being altogether as sure to have the thing, as faith doth believe to have it (for I use this word persuasion, not as it is commonly taken, but for a firm assent of mind inspired and persuaded by the holy ghost) that this faith I say, doth put into mans mind this undoubted persuasion, I mean to declare by the example of Abraham's faith, which Paul in the fourth chapter to the Romans describeth in these words. Abraham contrary to hope believed in hope: and he fainted not in faith, neither considered he his own body now dead, when he was almost an hundred years old, nor the deadness of Sarah's womb, he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but became strong in faith and gave the glory to God, having a sure persuasion that he which had promised, was able also to perform. In these words of the Apostle, there are certain notes t• be observed, which do prove to us that Faith doth bring an assured persuasion ⟨p. 34⟩into the mind and heart of man: and so, that Faith is an undoubted confidence of things believed, whereto the heart is made privy, that is, that true faith doth not fly to and fro from place to place in the hart of man, but that being deeply rooted in Christ, it sticketh in the hart which is enlightened.
But that this faith inspired from 1heauen, and learned out of the worde of trueth, doth put into mans minde an vndoubted persuasion, that is, that whatsoeuer we beléeue in the worde of God, we do beléeue it most assuredly without wauering or doubting, being altogether as sure to haue the thinge, as faith doth beléeue to haue it (for I vse this worde persuasion, not as it is cōmonly taken, but for a firme assent of minde inspired and persuaded by the holy ghost) that this faith I say, doth put into mans minde this vndoubted persuasion, I meane to declare by the example of Abrahams faith, which Paule in the fourth chapiter to the Romanes describeth in these words. Abraham contrary to hope beleeued in hope: and he fainted not in faith, neither considered he his owne body now dead, whē he was almost an hundred yeares olde, nor the deadnesse of Saraes wombe, he stackered not at the promise of God thorowe vnbeliefe, but became stronge in faith and gaue the glorie to God, hauinge a sure persuasion that hee which had promised, was able also to perfourme. In these wordes of the Apostle, there are certayne notes t be obserued, which do proue to vs that Faith doth bringe an assured persuasion