A14216:2474
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 WHAT GOOD-WORKS ARE.
1 WHAT GOOD-WORKES ARE.
GOOD works are such as are done according to the prescript rule of Gods Law, with a true faith, to the glory of God only. Three things are here to be considered. 1 The conditions & circumstances required for the making a work good. 2 The difference between the works of the regenerate, and the unregenerate. 3 In what sort the moral works of the wicked are sins.
GOOD workes are such as are done according to the prescript rule of Gods Lawe, with a true faith, to the glorie of God onlie. Three things are heere to be considered. 1 The conditions & cirumstances required for the making a woorke good. 2 The difference betweene the woorkes of the regenerate, and the vnregenerate. 3 Jn what sort the morall woorkes of the wicked are sinnes.
1 That a work, which we do, may be good, these conditions are required necessarily unto it. 1 That it be commā dead of God. Matt. 15 9. In vain they worship me, teaching for doctrines mens precepts. No creature hath the right, or wisdom and understanding to institute and ordain the worship of God. But good works (we speak of moral good) and the worship of God are all one. Now, Moral good is far differing from natural good, in as much as all actions, as they are actions, even those of the wicked, are good, that is, naturally: but all actions are not good morally: that is, agreeing with the justice of God. And thus is excluded that coined devise of good intentions, when as namely men do evil things, that good things may come thereof: likewise when they devise and imagine works, which they thrust upon God instead of worship. Neither doth it suffice if a work be not forbidden, but it must also be commanded, if it shall serve for Gods worship.