A17183:282
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.
God could make bread of stones, but we must not therefore believe that stones are bread, neither are they bread therefore, because God can do all things. This ye shall understand better and more fully, where as a little hereafter I shall show unto you, that true faith strayeth not nor wavereth wanderingly to and fro, but cleaveth close and sticketh fast to God and his word.
God could make breade of stones, but we must not therefore beléeue that stones are breade, neyther are they breade therefore, bicause God can doe all things. This ye shall vnderstande better and more fully, where as a litle hereafter I shall shew vnto you, that true fayth strayeth not nor wauereth wandringly to and fro, but cleaueth close and sticketh fast to God and his worde.
In the mean season because we 1have showed out of Pauls words by the example of Abraham, that faith is a substance and undoubted persuasion in the heart. And because many do stiffly stand in it, that man is not surely certain of his salvation, I will add a few examples out of the gospel, whereby they may plainly perceive that faith is a most sure ground, & settled opinion touching God and our salvation. And first verily the Centurion, of whom mention is made in the gospel, had conceived a steadfast hope that his servant should be healed of the Lord. For he understood how great and mighty things he promised to them that believe. He gathered also by the works of Christ, that it was an easy matter for him to restore his servant to health again. Therefore he cometh to the Lord, and among other talk saith. It is no reason that thou shouldest come under my roof, yea do but say the word and my servant shall be made whole. These words do testify, that in the hart and mind of the Centurion, there was a sure persuasion of most assured health, which by a certain comparison, he doth make manifest and more fully express. For I my self am a man under the authority of an other, and under me I have soldiers, and I say to one, go, and he goeth: and to an other, come, and he cometh: and to my servant do this, and he doeth it. When the lord perceived this certification of his mind, by his words most full of faith, he crieth out, that in all Israel he hath not found so great faith. The same again in the gospel, speaketh notably of the woman's faith which was sorely plagued with the bloody flux. And that that faith was an undoubted persuasion in her heart once illuminated, we may thereby understand, because she (being first in deed stirred up by the works & words of the Lord) thought thus within herself, if I do but touch his garment I shall be whole. And therefore pressing through the thickest of the throng, cometh to the Lord. But why heap I together many examples? doth not the only faith of the Canaanitish, or Syrophoenician woman, declare more plainly then that it can be denied, how that faith is a most assured persuasion of things believed?