A14216:1077
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 2: 2 How God made the world.
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.
The first therefore is of those things which work according to the quality, and force of their own nature, not being guided by any proper understanding or will of their own: Such is the operation of fire, water, medicinable herbs, precious stones. The actions and operations of these are subject to the rule of those which are voluntary agents, and are by them moved and directed to certain uses,1 and to the performing of certain works. The second, is of those which follow also the lore of nature in working, but not without some proper appetite or desire of their own, though the rule of reason be wanting: But nevertheless their action and working is so ordered, that sometimes it is forced from them against their will. Of this sort are the operations & actions of brute beasts. But these also are subject to the rule & direction of god, Angels, & men; yet so, that no violence is offered unto them, but what they do moved by these superior agents, that they do of their own accord, according to their own nature & force given them of god. The third is, of men & Devils, 2who also work according to the quality of their nature, namely by reason, & by deliberation, & freely, but corruptly. The fourth is of good spirits, which we call Angels, who likewise as men work by reason & will, but not corruptly: yet notwithstanding, both of them, both men & Angels, ⟨p. 364⟩though they work according to their nature freely,3 are not exempted from the decree and direction of God. The fifth is, the highest and supreme kind of working, which according to the nature of the first agent floweth from an understanding and will, and that most pure, most perfect, and most right, neither is it subject to the pleasure and disposition of any higher cause. Therefore this agent, which is God himself, is most wise, most good, most free, and immense, which hath no need of any deliberation to go before, and doth without motion, at his beck and commandment only, work and guide all things, which he will, and as he will. Wherefore all things depend of his will, but he of none. Psal. 33.6.9. He spake, and it was done: he commanded, and it was created.