A14216:1951
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.
6 Why Christs satisfaction is made ours.
THE perfect fulfilling of the Law performed by Christ for us is made ours or applied unto us, 1through the alone and free mercy of God, as who from everlasting did predestinate us, and freely choose us, to whom he might apply of his mere grace by faith that justice and righteousness at his appointed time. Wherefore all imagination and affirmation of merit is to be taken away, as which fighteth with the grace of God, and is a denial of his divine grace. For the grace and mercy of GOD is the only cause of both applications. He of his goodness infinite and passing measure, applieth Christs merit unto us, and maketh that we also may apply the same unto us. The cause therefore, why this application is wrought, is in God alone: but not at all in us, that is, it is neither any thing foreseen in us, neither also our apprehension and receiving of this justice. For all the gifts and graces which are in us, are effects of the application of Christs merit: and therefore that merit of Christ is no way applied unto us for the works sake which we do, but this is done, as the Apostle teacheth Ephes. 1.5. according to the good pleasure of his will. Whereupon also it is said, 1. Cor. 4 7. What hast thou that thou hast not received? And Ephes. 2.8. By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of your selves: it is the gift of God. And here it is to be observed, that, to be saved by the grace of God, and to be justified by faith, are not all one: for that signifieth the impellent or motive cause in God: this the instrumental cause in us, whereby we apprehend the righteousness of Christ imputed unto us. Christ is in respect of our justification, 1. As the subject & matter wherein our justice is. 2. As the impellent cause, because he obtaineth it. 3. As the chief efficient, because he together with his Father doth justify us: and 4. Because he giveth us faith whereby we believe and apprehend it. The mercy of god is, as the impellent cause thereof in GOD.