A14216:1192
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
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.
even thus too is the Major diversly faulty For first that it be gram ted, that things disordered, if they be simply such, are not, or are not ruled of god: yet cannot this be granted of them, if both confusion & order in divers respects be found in them.1 Now neither devils nor men commit any thing so repugnant to the order settled by god, wherein, albeit in respect ⟨p. 407⟩of their corrupt will it be most disordered, there is not yet the most wise order of divine justice, power and goodness lying hid under that confusion, which themselves have caused: and for the most part also the same doth manifestly appear, the event, or god himself by his word declaring it. Great confusion was there in the Jews detestable murder, when they crucified the son of god: and yet notwithstanding the hand and counsel of god hath defined & determined nothing with more wonderful order and wisdom than the death of the son for our sins. Al humane things therefore are vain, not in respect of the will and decree, or providence of god: for if we respect it, they are most well ordered, even such as in mens judgements seem most disordered: but in respect of men, as concerning both the fault, and the punishment. For first, all our things, GOD not enlightening, correcting, and directing us by his spirit, are evil, and displeasing GOD. Secondly, they obtain not their expected and hoped events, or those at least-wise not firm and stable, neither such, wherein sound and solid felicity and blessedness doth consist. Thirdly, That wisdom also, which is the knowledge of Gods will, and a true desire to be obedient thereunto, in this life is joined with manifold errors, sins, and calamities. Therefore humane matters are not ruled of GOD, that is, working them, as they are confuse and sins: but are ruled of GOD permitting sins, even as they are sins, and directing them to most good ends; but working all that is good, even those things which lie did in things disordered and confuse. Moreover, the evils which just men suffer, and the good which the unjust enjoy, seem disordered to mens judgements, but according to the judgement of GOD there is a most just order in them, for those causes which are uttered in the word of GOD.
euē thus too is the Maior diuersly faulty For first that it be grā ted, that things disordered, if they be simply such, are not, or are not ruled of god: yet cānot this be granted of them, if both confusiō & order in diuers respects be found in thē.