A17183:464
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.
Moreover it is not the sins of a 1few men, of one or two ages, or a few & certain number of sins are forgiven only, but the sins of all men, of all ages, the whole multitude of sins, whatsoever is, & is called sin, whether it be original, or actual, or any other else, to be short all sins are forgiven us. Which we do hereby learn, because the only sacrifice of Christ is effectual enough to wash away all the offences of all sinners, which by faith come to the mercy seat of Gods grace. And yet by this we do not teach men to sin, because the Lord hath long since made satisfaction for sins: but if any man do sin, we teach him to hope well and not to despair, but to flee to the throne of Grace. For there we say that Christ sitting at the right hand of the father, is that Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. And in the Creed verily it is expressly said: I believe the forgiveness of sins, and not of sin. For when we say of sins, we acknowledge that God forgiveth all sins. For to let pass the proofs hereof out of the 3. and 5. of Paul to the Romans, those out of S. John the Apostle & Evangelist shall be sufficient, who in his Epistle testifieth and saith: The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from every sin. Lo, he saith from every sin. He, I say, that saith from every one, excepteth none, unless it be that which the Lord himself excepted, I mean the sin against the holy Ghost, for which the very same S. John forbiddeth us to pray. Again also he saith: If we acknowledge our sins, God is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all our unrighteousness. The Apostle thought it not enough to say barely, To forgive us our sins, ⟨p. 83⟩but that he might declare the thing as it is in deed so plainly, that it might easily be understood, he addeth moreover this saying: And to cleanse us from all our unrighteousness. Lo, here he saith again from all unrighteousness. And for because some caviller might peradventure, make this objection and say, This kind of doctrine maketh men sluggish & slow to amendment. For men under the pretence of Gods grace will not cease to sin: therefore John in his 2. Chap. answereth their objection and saith. Babes, these things write I to you that ye sin not: and if any man sin, we have an advocate with the father Jesus Christ the righteous.
Moreouer it is not the sinnes of a 1