A14216:1115
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 GODS PROVIDENCE. › Section 1: 1 WHETHER THERE BE ANY PROVIDENCE 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.
1 WHETHER THERE BE ANY PROVIDENCE OF GOD.
1It is manifest that they who deny Providence, take away religion and the whole worship of God. For if God doth not respect and rule humane affairs, then neither were good things to be desired of him, neither were he to be praised for them received, who doth not give them: neither his anger to be feared, who doth not punish: neither were we to live according to his will, who requireth not obedience, nor maketh or keepeth any difference between the good, and bad. These therefore are the first and most known, and most certain grounds and principles of all religion: That there is a God, and that there is providence: that is, that God knoweth and ruleth those things which are, and are done in the world, and especially mankind, as being the chief and principal part of the world. Neither yet doth the whole Scripture therefore so many ways inculcate Gods government of all things, as if their own conscience did not convince every man of it: but that it might the more confirm in us the belief & persuasion of a thing most certain, and most necessary to be known, & teach us that which men know not of it, and correct that which they understand amiss.
1It is manifest that they who deny Prouidence, take away religion and the whole woorshippe of God. For if God dooth not respect and rule humane affaires, then neither were good things to be desired of him, neither were hee to be praised for them receiued, who doth not giue them: neither his anger to be feared, who doth not punish: neither were we to liue according to his will, who requireth not obedience, nor maketh or keepeth anie difference betweene the good, and bad. These therefore are the first and most knowen, and most certaine grounds and principles of al religion: That there is a God, and that there is prouidence: that is, that God knoweth and ruleth those thinges which are, and are done in the world, and especially mankinde, as beeing the chiefe and principall part of the world. Neither yet doth the whole Scripture therefore so many waies inculcate Gods gouernment of all thinges, as if their own conscience did not conuince euerie man of it: but that it might the more confirme in vs the beleefe & perswasion of a thing most certaine, and most necessary to be knowen, & teach vs that which men know not of it, and correct that which they vnderstand amisse.