A17183:327
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.
The first is, that justification may be of free gift, and that the grace of 1God may be praised. The latter is, that the promise and salvation may remain steadfast, and that it may come upon the Gentiles also. But it should not be given to the Gentiles, if it were due only to the law and Circumcision, because the gentiles lack them both. Finally, the hope of our salvation, ought to be steadfastly established. But it should never be surely grounded, or safely preserved, if it were attributed to our own works or merits. For in them is always something wanting. But in God, and in the merit of the Son of God can nothing be lacking. Therefore our salvation is surely confirmed, not to be doubted of, and assuredly certain, if that we seek for it by faith in the Son of God, who is our righteousness and salvation.
The first is, that iustification may be of frée gifte, and that the grace of 1God may be praysed. The latter is, that the promise and saluation maye remain stedfast, and that it may come vpon the Gentiles also. But it should not be giuen to the Gentiles, if it were due onely to the law and Circū cision, bycause the gentiles lacke them both. Finally, the hope of our saluatiō, ought to be stedfastly established. But it should neuer be surely grounded, or safely preserued, if it were attributed to our owne works or merites. For in them is alwayes something wanting. But in God, and in the merite of the sonne of God can nothing be lacking. Therfore our saluation is surely confirmed, not to be doubted of, and assuredly certaine, if that we séeke for it by faith in the sonne of God, who is oure righteousnesse and saluation.
- 1justification of free gift.•ustification of free gift.
To all these I will yet add an other testimony out of Saint Paul, which is in deed, both most evident and easy to be perceived. In his Epistle to the Ephesians, he saith: By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of your selves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast him self. For we are the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus into good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. More then this I will not say, neither will I at large expound the words of Paul. For these testimonies are more clear then the noon day, and do most evidently testify, that we are justified by faith, and not by any works.