A14216:1180
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.
Thirdly, there are also places of Scripture, wherein the general referring of all things to the providence of God is plainly expressed, or is signified by a Synecdoche (which figure of speech we use when we signify the whole by a part, or a part by the whole) or by the comparing of lesser things with greater, or greater with lesser. Ezec. 12.25. The thing that I shall speak shall come to pass. And God speaketh, not only those things which he revealeth unto us, but whatsoever also from everlasting he hath decreed and purposed with himself.
Thirdly, there are also places of Scripture, wherein the generall referring of all thinges to the prouidence of God is plainlie expressed, or is signified by a Synecdoche (which figure of speeche wee vse when we signifie the whole by a part, or a part by the whole) or by the comparing of lesser things with greater, or greater with lesser. Ezec. 12.25. The thing that I shal speake shall come to passe. And God speaketh, not onely those things which he reueileth vnto vs, but whatsoeuer also from euerlasting hee hath decreed and purposed with himselfe.
Infinite almost are the testimonies, which demonstrate that the providence of God extendeth it self to all things: but these now shall easily suffice. For by these verily it is apparent, that even every the least and smallest thing, both good, and bad, is ruled by the providence of God: yet in such wise, as that those things which partake of the nature of good, are not only done according to the providence of god (that is, god not willing, neither commanding, nor working them, but permitting by his providence, and directing them unto the ends by him appointed) but also by the providence of God, as the cause: but those things which are evil, are done according to the providence, ⟨p. 403⟩but not by the providence of God, that is, God willing, commanding, and working them. For all good things are done, God willing them: evil, God permitting them. And God will those things, by his will, which he liketh, worketh and commandeth. He permitteth those things which he neither liketh, nor commandeth, nor worketh nor furthereth: but which he condemneth, forbiddeth, & punisheth. That appeareth especially out of those testimonies, which were alleged concerning reasonable creatures: For they show that all reasonable creatures, both Angels, and men, and those both good, and bad, are ruled and governed by Gods providence: but so, that whatsoever good is in them, that is from god himself, who worketh this in reasonable creatures; but whatsoever ill is in them, is of themselves, being by nature evil, not of God who is most good. Al good things god worketh himself in reasonable creatures, but evil things he permitteth in respect of other things that are good.