A17183:329
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 (reverend brethren in the 1Lord) good works here come into no jeopardy to be little set by, because of this doctrine, which teacheth that faith alone doth justify. Thus did the Apostles of Christ teach, why then should not we teach so too.
But (reuerende brethren in the 1Lorde) good workes here come into no ieopardie to be little set by, bycause of this doctrine, whiche teacheth that fayth alone doth iustifie. Thus did the Apostles of Christe teach, why then shoulde not we teache so too.
- 1Faith showeth forth and expresseth it self by good works.Faith sheweth foorth and expresseth it selfe by good workes.
As for them that think this doctrine, whereby we do constantly affirm that faith alone without works doth justify, to be contrary to religion, let them blame the Apostles of Christ, & not find fault with us. Moreover, whereas 1we say that the faithful are justified by faith alone, or else by faith without works, we do not say, as many think we do, that faith is post alone, or utterly destitute of good works. For where soever faith is, there also it showeth it self by good works: Because the righteous can not but work righteousness. But before he doth work righteousness, that is to say good works, he must of necessity be righteous: therefore the righteous doth not attain to righteousness that goeth before by works that follow after. Wherefore, that righteousness is attributed to grace. For the faithful are freely by grace justified in faith, according to that saying. The just shall live by his faith, and after that they are justified they begin to bring forth the works of righteousness. Therefore, in this discourse I mean not to overthrow good works, which have their due place and dignity in the Church among the faithful, before the face of God: but my mind is, by all the means I may, to prove that the grace of God, and increase of the Son of God is overthrown and trod under foot, when we join our merits and works to the merit of Christ, and to faith: by which we take hold on Christ. For what can be more manifest then this saying of the blessed Apostle? If we be saved by grace, then not now works. For then grace is no more grace. But if we be saved by works, then is it now no grace, for the work is no more work. Roman. Wherefore these two, grace and merit or work, can not stand together. Therefore least we should overthrow the grace of God, and wickedly deny the fruit of Christ his passion, we do attribute justification unto faith only, because that fail the attributeth it to the mere grace of God in the death of the Son of God.