A14216:1067
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
Part 2 › OF CREATION. › Section 1: 1 WHETHER THE WORLD WERE CREATED OF GOD.
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.
11 Objection. God, say the Philosophers, could not be from everlasting idle. But the world not being created, he should have been idle. Therefore the world is eternal. Answer. First, the Major is false; If it be all one with them, to be idle, and not to administer and rule the world. For GOD created the world most freely, which being not created, he should nevertheless have been no less perfect, than he is, now when it is created: as who for ever is most perfect of himself and in himself. Secondly, the Minor is also false, If they mean by idle, him who doth nothing at all. For God before the creation of the world did contemplate and behold from everlasting his own wisdom; he begot the Son; from him flowed the holy Ghost: he chose us to everlasting life; he decreed to produce & create the world in time. Thirdly, It is impiety to rush and break in into the secrets of god, who hath provided and prepared hell for curious seekers or searchers, what God did before the creation of things.
11 Obiection. God, say the Philosophers, could not bee from euerlasting idle. But the world not beeing created, he should haue beene idle. Therefore the worlde is eternall. Aunswere. First, the Maior is false; If it be all one with them, to bee idle, and not to administer and rule the worlde. For GOD created the worlde most freely, which beeing not created, hee should neuerthelesse haue beene no lesse perfect, than he is, now whē it is created: as who for euer is most perfect of himselfe and in himselfe. Secondly, the Minor is also false, If they meane by idle, him who doth nothing at all. For God before the creation of the woorlde did contemplate and beholde from euerlasting his own wisedome; hee begot the Son; from him flowed the holy Ghost: he chose vs to euerlasting life; hee decreed to produce & create the worlde in time. Thirdly, It is impietie to rush and breake in into the secrets of god, who hath prouided and prepared hel for curious seekers or searchers, what God did before the creation of things.
- 1God not idle before the world, but contemplating from everlasting his own wisdom.God not idle before the world, but contemplating from euerlasting his owne wisedom.