A14216:2480
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.
3 It is required, that this work be referred principally i• the glory of God only. Otherwise it shall proceed from the love of thy self, not from the love of God. Whenas thou doest any thing, thou must not heed or care what men speak, whether they praise thee or no, so that thou know that it pleaseth God. But yet true glory we may lawfully desire & seek for, according to that, Mat. 5.16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works.
3 It is required, that this woorke be referred principally i• the glorie of God onely. Otherwise it shal proceed frō the loue of thy selfe, not from the loue of God. Whenas thou doest any thing, thou must not heede or care what men speake, whether they praise thee or no, so that thou knowe that it pleaseth God. But yet true glorie we may lawfully desire & seeke for, according to that, Mat. 5.16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good woorkes.
By these former conditions all these works are excluded, 1 Which are sins in themselves, and repugnant unto Gods Law, and his will revelled in the word. 2 Which are not repugnant unto the Law, neither in themselves good or evil, but which may yet by an accident be made good or evil. Works not repugnant unto the Law are made evil, or sins, by an accident: when as they being not commanded of God, but imposed by men, are done with an opinion of worshipping God therein. 3 Which are good in themselves and commanded by God, but yet are made sins by an accident, in that they are unlawfully done, as not arising from those lawful causes by which the doers of them should be moved to do them, and which in doing them they should respect, that is, they are not done by faith, neither to this end chiefly, that God might therein be honoured.
By these former conditions all these woorkes are excluded, 1 Which are sins in themselues, and repugnant vnto Gods Lawe, and his will reuelled in the word. 2 Which are not repugnant vnto the Law, neither in themselues good or euill, but which may yet by an accident be made good or euil. Workes not repugnant vnto the Lawe are made euill, or sinnes, by an accident: when as they beeing not commaunded of God, but imposed by men, are done with an opinion of worshipping God therein. 3 Which are good in themselues and commanded by God, but yet are made sinnes by an accident, in that they are vnlawfully doone, as not arising from those lawfull causes by which the doers of them should be moued to do them, and which in doing them they should respect, that is, they are not done by faith, neither to this end chiefly, that God might therein be honored.