A14216:1014
The Sum of Christian Religion
The sum of Christian religion: delivered by Zacharias Ursinus in his lectures upon the Catechism authorised by the noble Prince Frederick, throughout his dominions: wherein are debated and resolved the questions of whatsoever points of moment, which have been or are controversed in divinity. Translated into English by Henry Parry, out of the last & best Latin editions, together with some supply of wa[n]ts out of his discourses of divinity, and with correction of sundry faults & imperfections, which are [sic] as yet remaining in the best corrected Latin.The summe of Christian religion: deliuered by Zacharias Vrsinus in his lectures vpon the Catechism autorised by the noble Prince Frederick, throughout his dominions: wherein are debated and resolued the questions of whatsoeuer points of moment, which haue beene or are controuersed in diuinitie. Translated into English by Henrie Parrie, out of the last & best Latin editions, together with some supplie of wa[n]ts out of his discourses of diuinitie, and with correction of sundrie faults & imperfections, which ar [sic] as yet remaining in the best corrected Latine.
Oxford: printed by Joseph Barnes, 1587Oxford: printed by Ioseph Barnes, 1587
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.
14 God is of infinite goodness, and the very chief good. But there ought to be one only chief good For if besides that there were another chief good also, that should be either greater, or lesser, or equal. If greater, then should it also be god: which were contumelious against god: if lesser, it should not be god: if equal, then neither the one nor the other should be god.
14 God is of infinite goodnes, and the verie chief good. But there ought to be one onelie chief good For if besides that there were another chief good also, that should be either greater, or lesser, or equal. If greater, then should it also be god: which were contumelious against god: if lesser, it should not be god: if equall, then neither the one nor the other should be god.
- 14 But one chief good.
15 There is but one Omnipotent. God is Omnipotent. Therefore he is but one. The Major is proved thus. He against whose will any thing may be done, or whom another can hinder from doing that he would, cannot be truly omnipotent: but if there be more, at one & the same time put to be omnipotent, then shall they be able to do any thing, though the others be against it; and one shall necessarily have the power to hinder another, and to let his action, and to do any thing contrary to the others will; for otherwise he should not be able to do all things (for it is proper to him that is omnipotent, that no man be able to resist him) but should have his power bounded and limited within a certain compass. None of them therefore would be indeed omnipotent, but in word only and by entreaty each of other: and therefore there cannot be imagined more gods, except omnipotency be withal taken from them. Objection. But they may agree all. Wherefore omnipotency hindereth not, why there should not be moe omnipotent. Answer. Omnipotency is, not only not to be hindered, but, not to be able to be hindered.