A14216:1156
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 2: 2 WHAT THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD IS.
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.
9 He permitteth also evil things to be done. 1] Evil is twofold, the one of crime or offence, which is sin; the other of pain or punishment, which is every destruction or affliction, or forsaking of the reasonable creature inflicted by God for sin. Example of each signification & meaning is. Jer. 18.2 If this nation against whom I have pronounced, turn from their wickedness, I will repent of the plague that I thought to bring upon them. But now because the evil of pain or punishment, being the execution of the Law, and declaration of Gods justice, ⟨p. 390⟩is indeed a natural evil, as it is a destruction of the creature, but is in a consideration a moral good, as it is agreeing with the order of gods justice: this sort of evils also not only as it is an action or motion, but also as it is a destruction or affliction of sinners, is to be ascribed to God as author & efficient thereof: 1 Because he is the first cause & efficient of all good things (now all evil of punishment or pain, as it is a punishment, doth partake of the nature of moral good, because the law and order of Gods justice requireth the punishment of sin) 2 Because it is the part of a just judge to punish sin: But God is judge of the world, & will be acknowledged the maintainer of his justice and glory. 2. Chron. 19.6. Ye execute not the judgements of man, but of the Lord. 3 Because the whole Scripture with great consent referreth both the punishments of the wicked, and the chastisements and exercises, & Martyrdoms of the godly, as also the passion and death of the Son of God himself, which is a sacrifice for the sins of men, to the effectual and forcible working of the will of God. As Amos. 3. There is no evil in the City which the Lord hath not done. Isay. 47.5. I the Lord make peace and create evil. Wherefore we account in the number of good things the punishments of the wicked, and gods judgements: which God not only by his unchangeable decree will have done, but also doth them by his effectual power and will. For although destruction be evil in respect of the creature who suffereth it: yet is it good in respect of the Law and order of divine justice exacting it, and in respect of God most justly inflicting it, & executing as it were the proper and peculiar work of the judge of the world.