A14212:160
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
Oxford: printed by Joseph Barnes, 1600Oxford: printed by Ioseph Barnes, 1600
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.
Secondly: you cannot abstain from the stale & dry dros•e of the Manichees and Stoics, for want of better weapons to offend us. We for our parts detest that dotage of the Stoics touching §IInecessity inherent in things themselves, 1which should bind and subject to it self God and all things besides. Contrariwise we maintain that God is the most free and chief ruler of all things, which doth all things according to his good pleasure, whose hand no man can withdraw, which is eternal, immutable, ever the same. Why do you under the name of fatal laws deride his most excellent, wise, free, and immutable decree? A man might well laugh at the folly of these toys, but for that blasphemous impiety which you add, that no Christian can endure to laugh at, but rather be vehemently therewithal offended. Do you think it absurd, that all things which are and ever shall be, were before the fall known unto God, & by him decreed? Then belike you laugh at Paul, saying that before the foundation of the world grace was given us in Christ,2 and at Saint James saying,3 that Gods […] are known unto him from the beginning▪ ⟨p. 112⟩4that is from all eternity. But is it possible that you having ben so long conversant in Philosophy & Divinity, should in your fancy frame unto us a mutable God▪ Truly if you speak seriously, I except against your wisdom, if you jest friendly, I must prejudice your modesty. Do you think that God was mutable, in threatening, but sp•ring the Ninevites? He had determined to spare them, as well before as after his threats. But (you will say) why then did he threaten them? for this very cause, that by threatening he might convert, and having converted, might save them. Therefore God was not diverse, or altered his purpose• for even when he threatened them, he understood this condition, except they repented and this repentance he did before all eternity purpose by threatening to work in their minds.