A14216:1206
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.
The third sophism, of contradictory wills.
The third sophisme, of contradictory wils.
HE that will that to be done, which he forbiddeth, hath in him contradictory and flat repugnant wills: But God will that to be done which he forbiddeth in his law, as robberies, spoils, rapes, murders. Therefore he hath contradictory wills. Answer The Major is to be distinguished. He contradicteth, or is contrary to himself, who will and will not the same work, that is, in the same manner and respect: GOD will and will not the same, but in a diverse manner and respect. He will and worketh it, as it is a motion and action, and also a punishment of sin, or any thing agreeing with his Law and justice, as a trial, or exercise, or martyrdom of the godly. He will not, neither alloweth, nor commandeth, nor worketh any thing, as, by reason of the corruption of the instrument, by which he exerciseth his work, it swerveth from his divine justice and Law. Now in a diverse manner and respect to will, and not to will the same, and yet to determine on that part, whereof the reasons seem strongest, is not in us, much less in GOD absurd or repugnant. The waste of Israel, which the Assyrians wrought, GOD will as a punishment, which his justice of right did require: he will not, but condemneth, and afterwards most grievously revengeth in the Assyrians, in as much as it was ⟨p. 416⟩not the execution of Gods wrath,1 but a fulfilling of their own wrath and lusts against his Law. So God will, that all should obey his word and be saved. 1. In respect of his love towards all. for he is delighted with the death of no man. 2. In respect of his commandment, and inviting of all to repentance. But he will not that all be converted & so be saved, in respect of his working or efficacy: that is, he commandeth all men indeed to repent and believe, and promiseth life to all that believe; but he doth not any where promise that he will work by his spirit in all, that they should believe and be saved. For if he would this, it must needs be that either all should obey Gods commandments and be saved, or that God should not be omnipotent Reply. If god will one thing in signification or by his commandment, and will effectually or by his efficacy and working another,