A17183:331
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.
And yet for all this, we acknowledge 1that we are created, according to the doctrine of Paul, unto good works, to those good works I say, which God hath before ordained, which he in his word hath appointed, and doth require us to walk in the same. In which although we walk and are become rich in good works, yet notwithstanding, we do not attribute to them our justification: but according to the doctrine of the Gospel, we humble our selves under the hand of him that saith. So ye also, when ye have done all things that are commanded you, yet say, we are unprofitable servants: We have done no more then we ought to do. So then, as often as the godly doth read that our own works do justify us, that our own works are called righteousness, that unto our own works is given a reward and life everlasting, he doth not by and by swell with pride, nor yet forget the merit of Christ, but setting a godly and apt interpretation upon such like places, he doth consider that all things are of the grace of God, and that so great things are attributed to the works of men, because they are received into grace, and are now become the sons of God for Christ his sake: so that at the last, all things may be turned upon Christ him self, for whose sakes the godly know, that they and all theirs are in favour, and accepted of God the Father.
And yet for all this, we acknowledge 1that we are created, accordinge to the doctrine of Paule, vnto good workes, to those good workes I say, whiche God hath before ordained, whiche he in his worde hath appointed, and dothe require vs to walke in the same. In which although we walke and are become riche in good works, yet notwithstanding, we do not attribute to them our iustification: but according to the doctrine of the Gospel, we humble our selues vnder the hande of him that sayth. So ye also, when ye haue done all things that are commaunded you, yet say, we are vnprofitable seruants: We haue done no more then we ought to doe. So then, as often as the godly doth reade that our owne workes doe iustifie vs, that our owne workes are called righteousnesse, that vnto oure owne workes is giuen a rewarde and life euerlasting, he doth not by and by swell with pryde, nor yet forget the merite of Christe, but setting a godly and apte interpretation vpon suche like places, he dothe consider that all thinges are of the grace of God, and that so great things are attributed to the workes of men, bycause they are receiued into grace, and are nowe become the sonnes of God for Christ his sake: so that at the last, all things may be turned vpon Christe him selfe, for whose sakes the godly knowe, that they and all theirs are in fauour, and accepted of God the Father.