A14216:1085
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 3: 3 For what cause god created 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 ends of the creation of all things are some general,1 some special and subordinate. 1. The first and chief end is the glory of god. For he would have his goodness, wisdom, omnipotency, justice (which his properties he showeth in the creation of all things) be known & magnified of us. Prou. 16.4. The Lord made all things for himself. Psal. 103.22. Praise the Lord all ye his works. Rom. 11.36. Of him, & through him, and for him are all things. 2. The manifesting, knowledge,2 & contemplation of his divine wisdom & goodness shining in the very creation of things. For that he might be celebrated & magnified for his works, he was to create those things which should know him, & should praise & magnify him, being known and manifested unto them in his works. And to this purpose created he natures both endowed with reason & without reason, that there might be both those which should praise him, & the matter of his praise. Psalm. 19.1. The heavens declare the glory of god, & the firmament showeth the work of his hands. 3. The administration & governing of the world.3 For therefore he created the world, that he might by his providence ever govern, rule, preserve it, & so might perpetually show forth his marvellous works, which he hath done from the beginning of the world, & now doth, & will do: but chiefly that he might administer the Church & congregation of elect Angels & men. Isai. 40.26. Lift up your eyes on high, & behold who hath created these things. This third end is subordinate & serveth for the second end. 4. 4To gather a church of Angels & men, who should agnise & magnify this creator. 5. That all other things might serve for the safety both of the soul, & body of man: as also for the life, necessity, & delight of men: but especially that they might profit the elect, each thing in their due place, & might be to them as ministers & instruments, whereby god blessing & increasing them, might be lauded & praised of them.