A14216:1165
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.
Permission therefore is the withdrawing of the grace of God, 1whereby god 1. when he executeth the decrees of his will by reasonable creatures, 2. either doth not open his will, whereby he would have that work done, to the creature; 3. or doth not incline the will of the creature, to obey his will in that action. Or, permission, is the secret providence or will & power of god, 1. whereby he effectually will, moveth, and moderateth the motions and actions even of men sinning, as they are actions, and punishments both of them and others: 2. but sin it self he neither will nor worketh: neither yet hindereth it, but in his just judgement suffereth it to concur with their actions. 3. and this also he useth to the illustrating of his glory. This description of Gods permission of sins is confirmed by many places of Scripture.2 For first that God neither will nor worketh sins, as they are sins, is confessed by all the godly, and all such as are of sound judgement: seeing both the infinite goodness of god cannot be the cause of evil, which hath in it no respect and quality of good, and god himself doth often avouch this of himself. As Psalm. 5. Not a god that loveth wickedness.
Permission therefore is the withdrawing of the grace of God, 1whereby god 1. when hee executeth the decrees of his will by reasonable creatures, 2. either doth not open his wil, whereby hee would haue that worke done, to the creature; 3. or doth not incline the wil of the creature, to obey his will in that action. Or, permission, is the secret prouidēce or wil & power of god, 1. whereby he effectually wil, moueth, and moderateth the motions and actions euen of men sinning, as they are actions, and punishments both of them and others: 2. but sinne it selfe he neither wil nor worketh: neither yet hindereth it, but in his iust iudgement suffereth it to concur with their actions. 3. and this also he vseth to the illustrating of his glorie. This description of Gods permission of sinnes is confirmed by many places of Scripture.2 For first that God neither wil nor woorketh sinnes, as they are sinnes, is confessed by al the godly, and all such as are of sound iudgement: seeing both the infinite goodnesse of god cannot be the cause of euill, which hath in it no respect and quality of good, and god himselfe dooth often auouch this of himselfe. As