A17183:324
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.
Nevertheless yet the Apostle saith. What shall we say then that Abraham our father as pertaining to the flesh, who I say is our father touching the flesh, did merit or find, for both those significations hath the Greek word [Greek or Hebrew]. For, if Abraham were justified by works, then hath he to boast, but not before God. For God is only just and he that only justifieth. Al men are corrupt yea even Abraham is a sinner, and every man standeth in need of the glory of God. For which cause also the Prophet did plainly forbid to boast in any thing but in the mercy of God. Wherefore, Abraham boasted not against God: he acknowledged him self to be a sinner, and that he was to be justified freely, and not for his own merits sake. The Apostle goeth forth and saith. For what saith the Scripture. Abraham believed in God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. Two things are here affirmed, First that Abraham believed in God, Secondly that that was imputed to him for righteousness. By this it followeth that Abraham was justified by faith, and not by works. And that doth the Apostle prove after this manner. To him that by works doth merit righteousness, righteousness is not imputed. But to Abraham is righteousness imputed: therefore he merited not righteousness by works. Again, To him verily that worketh not, but believeth, his ⟨p. 52⟩faith is counted for righteousness. But Abraham believed in God, therefore his faith was reckoned for righteousness.
Neuerthelesse yet the Apostle saith. What shall we say then that Abrahā our father as pertaining to the flesh, who I say is oure father touching the flesh, did merit or find, for both those significations hath the Greeke worde 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. For, if Abraham were iustified by works, thē hath he to boste, but not before God. For God is only iust and he that only iustifieth. Al mē are corrupt yea euen Abraham is a sinner, and euery man standeth in néed of the glory of God. For which cause also the Prophet did plainely forbid to boast in any thing but in the mercy of God. Wherefore, Abraham boasted not againste God: he acknowledged him selfe to be a sinner, and that he was to be iustified fréely, and not for his owne merites sake. The Apostle goeth foorth and sayth. For what sayth the Scripture. Abraham beleeued in God, and it was reckoned vnto him for righteousnesse. Two thinges are here affirmed, Firste that Abraham beléeued in God, Secondly that that was imputed to him for righteousnesse. By this it followeth that Abraham was iustified by faythe, and not by workes. And that doth the Apostle proue after this manner. To him that by works doth merite righteousnesse, righteousnesse is not imputed. But to Abraham is righteousnesse imputed: therefore he merited not righteousnesse by workes. Againe, To him verily that woorketh not, but beleeueth, hys