A14216:2478
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 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.
1 That a work, which we do, may be good, these conditions are required necessarily vnto it. 1 That it be commā ded of God. Matt. 15 9. Jn vaine they woorshippe mee, teaching for doctrines mens precepts. No creature hath the right, or wisedome and vnderstanding to institute and ordaine the worship of God. But good woorkes (wee speake of morall good) and the worship of God are all one. Nowe, Morall good is farre differing from naturall good, in as much as al actions, as they are actions, euen those of the wicked, are good, that is, naturallie: but all actions are not good morally: that is, agreeing with the iustice of God. And thus is excluded that coined deuise of good intentions, when as namely men doe euill things, that good things may come thereof: likewise when they deuise and imagine woorkes, which they thrust vpon God insteed of worship. Neither doth it suffice if a woorke be not forbidden, but it must also be commaunded, if it shall serue for Gods worship.
2 That the work have his original from a true faith, which faith must be grounded and depending on the merit and intercession of the Mediator, and by which he may know both the person, and the work to be accepted of god for the mediators sake. For without faith it is unpossible for any