A14216:1960
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.
1 Objection. We are justified by faith. Faith is a work. Therefore we are justified by the works thereof, that is, by the merit of faith. Answer. First the consequence of this reason is denied, because more is in the conclusion than in the premisses: of which premisses this only followeth. That by that work we are justified, as by an instrument or mean, not as an impellent cause. Now it is one thing to be justified by faith, that is, to be justified, (faith only being the mean to receive it) by the blood of Christ: and it is another thing to be justified for faith, that is, for the merit of faith. 2. The kind of affirmation is diverse: for in the Major, faith is understood with relation to Christs merit, in the Minor it is taken absolutely and properly.
1 OBiection. Wee are iustified by faith. Faith is a woorke. Therefore we are iustified by the woorkes thereof, that is, by the merite of faith. Aunswere. First the consequence of this reason is denied, because more is in the conclusion than in the premisses: of which premisses this onely followeth. That by that worke wee are iustified, as by an instrument or meane, not as an impellent cause. Nowe it is one thing to be iustified by faith, that is, to be iustified, (faith only being the meane to receiue it) by the bloode of Christ: and it is another thing to be iustified for faith, that is, for the merite of faith. 2. The kinde of affirmation is diuerse: for in the Maior, faith is vnderstoode with relation to Christes merite, in the Minor it is taken absolutelie and properlie.
2 Objection. Justice is that whereby we are formally or essentially just. Faith is justice. Therefore we are by faith formally and essentially just. Answer. The consequence of this reason is to be denied, because the kind of affirmation is divers. For the Major is meant properly; but the Minor* figuratively, one thing being taken for another, faith for the object of faith, which is Christs merit and justice.