A collection of certain learned discourses, written by that famous man of memory Zechariah…A collection of certaine learned discourses, written by that famous man of memory Zachary…
A collection of certain learned discourses, written by that famous man of memory Zachary Ursine; doctor and professor of divinity in the noble and flourishing schools of Neustad. For explication of divers difficult points, laid down by that author in his catechism. Lately put in print in Latin by the last labour of D. David Parry: and now newly translated into English, by I.H. for the benefit and behoof of our Christian country-manA collection of certaine learned discourses, written by that famous man of memory Zachary Ursine; doctor and professor of divinitie in the noble and flourishing schools of Neustad. For explication of divers difficult points, laide downe by that author in his catechisme. Lately put in print in Latin by the last labour of D. David Parry: and now newlie translated into English, by I.H. for the benefit and behoofe of our Christian country-man
Zacharias Ursinus 1534–1583Oxford: printed by Joseph Barnes, 1600Oxford: printed by Ioseph Barnes, 1600
[8], 341 [i.e. 327], [1] p. · 84k words · STC 24527 · ESTC S100227
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.
Lastly, we must distinguish the necessity of constraint and immutability; 1for it were too gross to confound them. For the former moveth violently and by external cause, the latter naturally, some internal cause in the agent moving and being moved, as by nature it is apt. These ⟨p. 101⟩things when I perceived, GOD opening my eyes, I did not reckon one •ote of those foolish fables; 2that GOD was made the cause of sin: that contingence or casualty and liberty were taken away And all this I learned out of infinite places of scriptures: as Genesis 20. Therefore have I kept thee that thou shouldest not sin against me, nor did I suffer thee to touch her. Genesis 45. GOD sent me before you for your safety. And again, I was not sent hither by your purpose but by the will of God, who hath made me as it were a father unto Pharaoh. Gen. 50. Fear not, can we resist Gods will? You thought evil against me, but God turned it to good, that he might exalt me, as you now see, and preserve many people. Exodus 4. 7. 10. 11. 14. I wilt harden the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants, and I will show my wonders in the land of Egypt And in the 9. chap. Therefore have I placed thee in the kingdom, that I might show my power in thee, and my name might be declared in all the world. Exod. 12. God gave his people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent jewels unto them, and they robbed the Egyptians. Exod. 21. If a man hath not laid wait for him whom he hath slain, but God hath given him into his hands: which he speaketh of murder done by misfortune or chance.
. Every man slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbour. They which did this are commended, who without this commandment had done very evil: yet had not God so commanded them, but upon some other occasion provoked their minds thereunto,
⟨p. 102⟩
he might as justly have punished those idolaters by sinning instrument•, as he did by these just executors of his judgement because they were not governed by secret providence, but by the manifest and open will of God Exod. 33. I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion, Num. •3 God is not as man that he should be, or as the son of man that he should be changed. Hath he therefore said, and shall be not do it? […] he spoken and shall it not be fulfilled?
Lastly, we must distinguish the necessity of cō straint and immutability; 1for it were too grosse to confounde them. For the former moveth violently and by externall cause, the latter naturally, some internall cause in the agent moving and being moved, as by nature it is apt. These ⟨p. 101⟩thinges when I perceiued, GOD opening my eies, I did not reckon one •ote of those foolish fables; 2that GOD was made the cause of sinne: that contingence or casualitie and libertie were taken awaie And all this I learned out of infinite places of scriptures: as Genesis 20. Therefore haue I kepte thee that thou shouldest not sinne against mee, nor did I suffer thee to touch her. Genesis 45. GOD sent mee before you for your safety. And againe, I was not sent hither by your purpose but by the will of God, who hath made me as it were a father vnto Pharaoh. Gen. 50. Feare not, can we resist Gods will? You thought evil against me, but God turned it to good, that hee mighte exalte mee, as you novve see, and preserue manie people. Exodus 4. 7. 10. 11. 14. I vvilt harden the heart of Pharaoh and of his servauntes, and I will shew my wonders in the lande of Aegypt And in the 9. chap. Therefore haue I placed thee in the kingdome, that I might shew my power in thee, and my name might be declared in all the world. Exod. 12. God gaue his people favour in the sight of the Aegyptians, so that they lent iewels vnto them, and they robbed the Aegyptians. Exod. 21. If a man hath not laide waite for him vvhome hee hath slaine, but God hath given him into his handes: which he speaketh of murder done by misfortune or chance. Exod. 22. Every man slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbour. They which did this are commended, who without this commaundemente had done very evill: yet had not God so cōmanded them, but vpon some other occasion provoked their minds therevnto, ⟨p. 102⟩he might as iustly haue punished those isolaters by sinning instrument•, as he did by these iust executers of his iudgement because they were not governed by •ecret providēce, but by the manifest and open will of God Exod. 33. I wil shew mercie to whom I will shew mercy, and I will haue compassion on whom I will haue compassiō, Num. •3 God is not as mā that he should be, or as the son of man that he should be changed. Hath he therefore said, and shall bee not doe it? 〈…〉 he spoken and shal it not be fulfilled?
1VI Two sorts of necessityVI Two sortes of necessity
2Testimonies out of the New Testament.Testimoni•s out of the New Testament.
I am sent to […], I cannot forbid a blessing. Deut. 5. O that there were […] such an heart to fear me, & ever to keep all […] commandments, that •t might go well with them and with their children for ever. By these & the like p•aces God showeth what he liketh, wherein he is delighted, and what pleaseth him. •ut by Exod. 33. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy: and the like, he showeth what he will effect or bring to pass amongst men and in whom. Deut. 13. If a Prophet shall say, let us go and follow strange Gods, tho• […] to his voice, because the Lord tempteth you, that it may appear whether you love him or no. And in the same place, Let the Prophet he slain, because he hath spoken to turn you from the Lord your God. Deut. 29. And God gave you not an understanding hart, even until this day Jos. 11. […] pleased God to harden then he […], that they should fight against Israel & be overthrown, and should not find mercy but perish▪ as God had commanded Moses. Judg 2 & 3. God forsook the nations which he commanded to be rooted out. 1. Sam. 2 They did not hearken to the voice of their father, because ⟨p. 103⟩God would slay them. And in the same book the 10. cap.. Part of the house went with him, whose hearts God had touched. And again 10. The spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit of the Lord or from the Lord did vex him. 2. of Sam. 12. Behold I will st•rre up evil against thee from thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thy face, & give them to thy neighbour, and thy son shall be with thy wives openly. For thou diddest it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and in the sight of the sun. & ca. 17. The counsel of Ahithophel is overthrown by the Lords countenance. & ca. 24. The wrath of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he moved David to say unto Joab. & 1. Chron. 21. Satan rose up against Israel, and provoked David to number the people. 2. Sam. •2. And. 2. Chron. 10. Rehoboam suffered not the people to be at rest, for it was Gods will. And •. Chron. 11. This is don by my will▪ 1. Kings. 22. God gave the sp•rite of lying. 2 Chron. 36. God stirred up the heart of Cy•••. Esd•. 6 God had turned the kings heart unto them Job. 1. The Lord hath given, & the Lord hath taken away. Job. 12. He bringeth counsellors to a foolish end. Job. 14.
I am sent to 〈…〉, I cannot forbid•e a blessing. Deut. 5. O that there were 〈…〉 such an heart to feare me, & ever to keepe all 〈…〉 commandements, that •t might go well with them and with their children for ever. By these & the like p•aces God sheweth what he liketh, wherein he is delighted, and what ple•seth him. •ut by Exod. 33. I will haue mercy on whom I will haue mercy: and the like, he sheweth what he wil effect or bring to passe amongst men and in whom. Deut. 13. If a Prophet shall say, let vs go and fo•low strange Gods, tho•〈…〉 to his vo•ce, because the Lord •empteth you, that it may appeare whether you loue him or no. And in the same place, Let the Prophet he slaine, because he hath spoken to turne you from the Lorde your God. Deut. 29. And God gaue you not an vnderstāding hart, even vntil• this day Ios. 11. 〈…〉 pleased God to harden then he 〈…〉, that they should fight against Israell & be overthrowen, and should not finde mercy but perish▪ as God had commanded Moses. Iudg 2 & 3. God forsooke the nations which he cōmanded to be rooted out. 1. Sam. 2 They did not ha•ken to the voice of their father, because ⟨p. 103⟩God would slay them. And in the same booke the 10. cap.. Parte of the house wente with him, whose heartes God had touched. And againe 10. The spirit of the Lorde departed from Saule, and an evill spirite of the Lord or from the Lord did vexe him. 2. of Sam. 12. Behould I will strre vp evill against thee from thine owne house, and I will take thy wiues before thy face, & giue them to thy neighbour, and thy sonne shall be with thy wifes openlie. For thou diddest it secretlye, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and in the sight of the sunne. & ca. 17. The counsaile of Achitophel is overthrowne by the Lordes countenance. & ca. 24. The wrath of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and hee mooued Dauid to say vnto Ioab. &
Th•• hast appointed the bounds thereof which cannot be passed. Psal. 105. He turned their hearts to hate his people. Psa. 115. He hath do• what soever he would. Ps. 16. The Lord hath made all things for his own sake, […] even the wicked for the day of evil ver. •3. The […] is cast into the lap but the whol• disposition hereof is of the Lord ca. 2•. The heart of the king is in the […] hand, he turneth it as rivers of waters whether […] ⟨p. 104⟩Ecclesiastes the seventh. Consider the works of the Lord, that none can amend him whom he hath disposed. Wisdom 8. Wisdom reacheth from one end to an other, she hath a sposed all things mightily and orderly. Read the 12. and 19. Chapters of the same book and S•rac. 17. They cannot make their hearts of s•onie to become fleshly. Isaiah. 10. O A•shur the rod of my wrath &c. in his hand is mine indignation. I will send him to a dissembling nation, that shall take the […] of them. Read the whole place, which alone sufficeth to refel that objection of the cause of sin. Like places are •ound in the 13 cap. And Esa. 14 The Lord of hosts hath decreed, and who can al•er it? Esa. 43. Every one that calleth on the name of the Lord, him have I created for my glory▪ him have I fashioned, him have I made. And in the same place, I will bring it to pass, and who shall withstand it. Esa. 45. I am the Lord making peace & creating evil. And 46. Cap. My determination shall stand &c: I have spoken and I will bring it to pass, I have proposed and will do it. Jerem. 13. If the Ethiopian can change his skin, or the leopard his spots, you also will be able to do well, having learned to do ill. Jerem▪ 30. God hath opened his treasury, and brought forth vessels of his wrath. Lament. 3. Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, and the Lord commandeth […]? Doth not evil and good proceed out of the mouth of the […] high: Ezech. 12. I will speak a word and bring it to pass. Ezech. 14 When a Prophet hath cried and spoken ought amiss, I the Lord have deceived ⟨p. 105⟩that Prophet. Ezec. 18 I will not the death of him that dieth. Much like that Deu. 5. O that there were to them &c. As above hath been said. Ezech. 20. I gave them commandments which were not good. Eze. 29. Nebuchadnezzar my servant caused his army to serve a great servitude against Cyrus. Ezech. 36.
Th•• hast appointed the boundes thereof which cannot be passed. Psal. 105. He tourned their heartes to hate his people. Psa. 115. He hath do• what soever he would. Ps. 16. The Lord hath made al things for his owne sake, 〈…〉 even the wicked for the day of evill ver. •3. The 〈…〉 is cast into the lap but the whol• d•sposition herof is of the Lord ca. 2•. The heart of the kinge is in the 〈…〉 hand, he turneth it as rivers of waters whether 〈…〉⟨p. 104⟩Ecclesiastes the seventh. Consider the vvorkes of the Lord, that none can amend him whom he hath desposed. Wisdom 8. W•sdome reacheth from one end to an other, shee hath a sposed all thinges mightely and orderly. Read the 12. and 19. Chapters of the same booke and S•rac. 17. They cannot make their hearts of s•onie to become fleshlie. Esai. 10. O A•shur the rod of my wra•h &c. in his hand is mine indignatiō. I will send him to a dissembling nation, that shall take the 〈…〉 of them. Reade the whole place, which alone sufficeth to refell that obiection of the cause of sinne. Like places are •ound in the 13 cap. And Esa. 14 The Lord of hostes hath decreed, and who can al•er it? Esa. 43. Everie one that calleth on the name of the Lord, him haue I created for my glorie▪ him haue I fashioned, him haue I made. And in the same place, I will bring it to passe, and who shall withstand it.
And I will give you a new heart, & put a new spirit in the middest of you: and I will take away this stony heart from your flesh. Compare the 17 of Sirach & Jer. 13. & Ezech. 58 I will lead thee about, & put a bridle in thy mouth, & bring thee forth. At that day shall many things come to thy mind, & thou shalt think evil thoughts, & shalt say, I will go up to the land &c. Compare this with Isaiah. 10. Dan. 4 He worketh according to his will, both in the armies of heaven & also in the habitations of the earth; and there is none can stain his hand, or say unto him, whi•• hast thou done this? Amos. 3. There is no evil in the city which the Lord hath not done: which is spoken of the evil of punishment, though often times it fall out by accident, that there be also an evil of offence, which God suffereth to concur, Micah. 4. Many nations are gathered together, but they know not the thoughts of the Lord.
And I will giue you a new hearte, & put a new spirite in the middest of you: and I will take awaie this stonie heart from your flesh. Compare the 17 of Sirach & Ier. 13. & Ezech. 58 I will lead thee about, & put a bridle in thy mouth, & bring thee forth. At that day shall many thinges come to thy minde, & thou shalt thinke evill thoughtes, & shalt say, I will goe vp to the land &c. Compare this with Esai. 10. Dan. 4 Hee worketh according to his will, both in the armies of heauen & also in the habitations of the earth; and there is none can staine his hande, or say vnto him, whi•• hast thou done this? Amos. 3. There is no evill in the citie which the Lord hath not done: which is spoken of the evill of punishment, though often times it fall out by accident, that there be also an evill of offence, which God suffereth to concur, Micah. 4. Manie nations are gathered togeather, but they know not the thoughtes of the Lord.
Mat. 7. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit,1 & in the same chapter they which are built upon a rock shall not fall. Read Melanchthon's commentary upon that place Luc. 10. One sparrow falleth not to the ground. Math. 11. I thank thee (father) for that thou haste hidden these things from the wise ⟨p. 106⟩Mat. 13. To you it is given to know, but unto others it is not given. Mat. 16. & every where in the Evangelists, That Christ ought to go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things. Mat. 18. It is necessary that offences should come. Mat 20. Is it not lawful for me to do with mine own what I will? Many are called, but few be chosen. Mat. 24. All things must come to pass. And in the same place, It is not possible that the elect should •rre, finally; Joh. 6. Whatsoever my father hath given me shall come unto me, and him that cometh to me I vvil not cast forth. And No man can come unto me except the father draw him. And This is the will of my father, that of all whatsoever he hath given me I should loose nothing. Joh. 10. Other sheep also I have, which I must bring unto my flock. And My sheep no man taketh out of my hand. Joh. 11. Caiaphas when he was high Priest did prophecy. Joh. 12. Therefore they could not believe, because he had blinded their eyes. Joh. 13. I know them whom I have chosen. Joh. 14. Which spirit the world cannot receive. Joh. 15. You have not chosen me, but I you. Act. 1. The prophecies concerning Judas ought to have been fulfilled Act. 2. Him have ye taken by the hands of the wicked, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, and have crucified & slain. Act. 3. Through ignorance ye did it, but God so fulfilled the things which he had foretold. Act. 4. They came together to do whatsoever thy hand and counsel had before decreed to be done. Act. 13. They believed, as many as were ordained to eternal life. Act. 17. He giveth life & motion unto all things. And In him we live, move, and have our being. Rom. 1. God delivered them ⟨p. 107⟩over to a reprobate mind Rom 8 All things work for the good of those that love God Rom. He hath mercy on whom he will, and hardeneth whom he will. Read Pa••s whole disputation. Rom. 11. Election prevailed: the rest are hardened. And The graces of God are without repentance. 1. Cor. 4. What hast thou that thou hast not received. Eph. 1.
Mat. 7. A good tree cannot bringe forth evill fruit,1 & in the same chapter they which are built vpon a rocke shall not fal. Read Melancthons commentarie vpon that place Luc. 10. One sparrow falleth not to the ground. Math. 11. I thanke thee (father) for that thou haste hidden these thinges from the wise ⟨p. 106⟩Mat. 13. To you it is given to know, but vnto others it is not given. Mat. 16. & every where in the Evangelists, That Christ ought to goe to Hierusalem, and suffer many things. Mat. 18. It is necessary that offences should come. Mat 20. Is it not lawfull for me to doe with mine owne what I will? Many are called, but few bee chosen. Mat. 24. All thinges must come to passe. And in the same place, It is not possible that the elect should •rre, finally; Ioh. 6. Whatsoever my father hath given mee shall come vnto me, and him that commeth to me I vvil not cast forth. And No man can come vnto me except the father draw him. And This is the will of my father, that of al whatsoever he hath given me I should loose nothing. Ioh. 10. Other sheepe also I haue, which I must bring vnto my flocke. And My sheepe no man taketh out of my hand. Ioh. 11. Caiphas whē he was high Priest did prophecy. Ioh. 12. Therefore they coulde not beleeue, because he had blinded their eies. Ioh. 13. I knowe them whō I haue chosen. Ioh. 14. Which spirit the world cannot receiue. Ioh. 15
He hath chosen us in himself before the creation of the world, that we m•y be […] And Predestinated according to his purpose, who doth […] the counsel of his own will Read the chapter it self Phil. 1. It is God which worketh in us both to will and to perform, of his mere good will. 2. Thes. 2. H•e c•t strong errors amongst them Peruse the plac. 2. Tim▪ 2 The foundation of the Lord standeth sure 1 Joh. 2. They went out from amongest us, but were not of us. 1. Joh. 4. Herein appeareth his love, in that he loved us first. Revel. 17. God will put into their hearts to do his will. But I have alleged too many places, purposing to touch only a f•w, for you may of your self find out infinite such l•ke places of scripture.
He hath chosen vs in himselfe before the creatiō of the world, that we m•y be 〈…〉 And Predestinated according to his purpose, who doth 〈…〉 the counsell of his owne will Read the chapter it selfe Phil. 1. It is God which worketh in vs both to will and to perfourme, of his meere good will. 2. Thes. 2. H•e c•t strong errors amongst them Pervse the plac. 2. Tim▪ 2 The foundation of the Lorde standeth sure 1 Ioh. 2. They went out from amongest vs, but were not of vs. 1. Ioh. 4. Herein appeareth his loue, in that he loved vs first. Revel. 17. God wil put into their heartes to do his will. But I haue al•eadged too many places, purposing to touch onely a f•w, for you may of your selfe finde out infinit such l•ke places of scriptu•e.
Gods omnipotency suffereth nothing to b•e done which he doth not either simply or ••son sort will. 1For look what simply he will not, •hat §1by no means can be done.
Gods omnipotencie suffereth nothing to b•e done which he doth not either simply or ••son sort will. 1For looke what simplie he will not, •hat §1by no meanes can be done.
Whilst he willeth the end (which is […] §3his purpose, most excellent, he also willeth […] ⟨p. 108⟩means leading to these ends: at the least in some respect, but not as they are sins.
Whilest he willeth the end (which is 〈…〉§3his purpose, most excellent, he also willeth 〈…〉⟨p. 108⟩meanes leading to these ends: at the least in some respect, but not as they are sinnes.
All things in the world which are good and positive, have their being from him, and are ruled by his providence. And therefore all motives or motions tending to any end, as they are motions, be ruled and directed by God.
All thinges in the worlde which are good and positiue, haue their being from him, and are ruled by his prouidence. And therfore al motiues or motions tending to any end, as they are motins, be ruled and directed by God.
His foreknowledge even of things most mutable is immutable. Wherefore it dependeth upon a cause immutable, that is, upon his own eternal decree. All this confirms a providence universal over all things particular.
His foreknowledge even of thinges most mutable is immutable. Wherefore it dependeth vpon a cause immutable, that is, vpon his owne eternal decree. All this confirmes a providence vniversall over all things particular.
Those whom once he loveth, he loveth from all eternity, and for all eternity: we cannot therefore be assured of the present grace of God toward us, except we be also assured of his eternal grace and love, unless we will imagine God to be mutable.
Those whom once he loveth, he loveth from al eternity, and for all eternity: we cannot therefore be assured of the present grace of God towarde vs, excepte wee bee also assured of his eternall grace and loue, vnlesse we wil imagine God to be mutable.
. Rehoboam suffered not the people to be at rest, for it was Gods will. And •. Chron. 11. This is don by my will▪ 1. Kinges. 22. God gaue the sp•rite of lying.
. I am the Lord making peace & creating evill. And 46. Cap. My determination shall stand &c: I haue spoken and I will bring it to passe, I haue proposed and will do it.
. If the Aethiopian can chaunge his skinne, or the leoparde his spottes, you also will be able to do well, hauing learned to do ill. Ierem▪ 30. God hath opened his treasurie, and brought forth vesselles of his wrath.
When a Prophet hath cried and spoken ought amisse, I the Lord haue deceaved
⟨p. 105⟩
that Prophet. Ezec. 18 I will not the death of him that dieth. Much like that Deu. 5. O that there were to them &c. As aboue hath been said. Ezech. 20. I gaue them commaundements which were not good. Eze. 29. Nebuchadnezer my servant caused his armie to serue a great servitude against Cyrus. Ezech. 36.
over to a reprobrate minde Rom 8 All thinges worke for the good of those that loue God Rom. He hath mercie on whom he will, and hardeneth whom he will. Reade Pa••s whole disputation. Rom. 11. Election prevailed: the rest are hardned. And The graces of God are without repentance. 1. Cor. 4. What hast thou that thou hast not received. Eph. 1.
