A17183:465
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 he is the atonement for our sins: & not for our sins only, but also for the sins of all the world. Wherefore it is assuredly true that by the death of Christ all sins are forgiven them that believe.
And hee is the attonement for our sinnes: & not for our sinnes onelie, but also for the sinnes of all the world. Wherfore it is assuredly true that by the death of Christe all sinnes are forgiuen them that belieue.
Moreover the Lord alone forgiveth 1sins. For it is the glory of God alone to forgive sins, and of unrighteous to make men righteous. Therefore whereas men are said to forgive sins, that is to be understood of their ministry and not of their power. The minister pronounceth to the people, that for Christ his sake their sins are forgiven: and in so saying he deceiveth them not: For God in deed forgiveth the sins of them that believe: according to that saying: Whose sins ye forgive they are forgiven them. And this is done so often as the word of the Gospel is preached, so that there be no need to feign that auricular confession and private absolution at the priests hand is necessary for the remission of sins. For as auricular confession was not in use among the Saints before the coming of Christ, so we read not that the Apostles heard private confession, or used private absolution in the Church of Christ. It is enough for us to confess our sins to God, who because he seeth our hearts, ought therefore most rightly to hear our confessions. It is enough if we, as S. James teacheth us, do one to another betwixt our selves confess our faults and offences, and so after pardon asked: return into mutual favour again. It is enough for us to hear the Gospel, promising the forgiveness of our sins through Christ, if we believe. Let us therefore believe the forgiveness of sins, and pray to the Lord that he will vouchsafe to give and increase in us this same belief. These things were of old and in the Primitive Church effectual enough to obtain pardon and full remission of sins: and as they were, so are they undoubtedly, at this day sufficient too.