A14216:1219
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.
but the cause of that necessity which is only by consequent, is the divine providence or decree coming between those things which are in their own nature mutable, & also the nature of things created, which is framed and ordained of god to certain effects, and yet subject to the most free will & government of god, either according, or besides, or contrary to this order which himself hath made. In respect therefore of second causes, some things are necessary, which are done by causes working always after one sort, as the motion of the son, the burning of any matter put unto the fire, if it be capable of burning: some things are contingent, which have causes working contingently, ⟨p. 422⟩that is, apt and fit to produce or to forbear producing diverse & contrary effects: as the blasts of winds, the local motions of living creatures, the actions of mens wills. But in respect of the first cause: that is, of the will of god, all things which are, or are done in Gods external and outward works, are partly necessary, partly contingent: necessary, as even those things which have second causes most changeable: as that the bones of Christ on the cross were not broken by the soldiers, by reason of the unchangeableness of the decree & providence of God: contingent, (by reason of the liberty of his eternal and unchangeable decree, and the execution thereof) even those things which, as concerning their own nature, have second causes most unchangeable, as the motion of the sun & shadows.
but the cause of that necessitie which is onely by consequent, is the diuine prouidence or decree comming between those things which are in their own nature mutable, & also the nature of things created, which is framed and ordained of god to certaine effects, and yet subiect to the most free wil & gouernment of god, either according, or besides, or contrary to this order which himselfe hath made. In respect therefore of second causes, some things are necessary, which are done by causes woorking alwaies after one sort, as the motion of the son, the burning of any matter put vnto the fier, if it be capeable of burning: some thinges are contingent, which haue causes working contingently, ⟨p. 422⟩that is, apt and fit to produce or to forbeare producing diuerse & contrary effects: as the blasts of windes, the locall motions of liuing creatures, the actions of mens wils. But in respect of the first cause: that is, of the wil of god, all thinges which are, or are doone in Gods externall and outward woorks, are partly necessary, partly cōtingent: necessary, as euē those things which haue second causes most chaungeable: as that the bones of Christ on the crosse were not broken by the souldiers, by reason of the vnchangeablenes of the decree & prouidence of God: contingent, (by reason of the liberty of his eternal and vnchangeable decree, and the execution thereof) euen those thinges which, as concerning their owne nature, haue second causes most vnchangeable, as the motion of the sunne & shadowes.