A14216:2482
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.
2 How good works may be done.
2 How good workes may bee doone.
Good works may be done, through the grace, or assistance of the Holy Ghost only, and that by the regenerate only, whose heart is regenerated of the holy ghost by the gospel, and that not only in their first conversion, and regeneration, but also by the perpetual and continual government of the holy ghost, who both worketh in them an acknowledgement of sin, faith, & new obedience: and also doth daily more and more increase and confirm the same gifts in them. Unto this doctrine Saint Jerome also consenteth. Let him be accursed (saith he) who affirmeth the Law to be possible without the grace of the holy Ghost. Wherefore out of this doctrine we learn that men not as yet regenerated are able to do no good, and that even the holiest men sin also, except the benefit and blessing of regeneration be continued. This we may see in Peter, and David. Without regeneration no one part of a good work can be so much as begun, because All our righteousness is as the cloth of a menstruous woman. In which saying also the Prophet comprehendeth himself, and even the holiest among men. If in the Saints themselves nought else is found before God, what then in the unregenerate? What these are able to perform, we see in the Epistle to the Romans, in the two first Chapters. Now as by our selves we are not able to begin good works: So neither are we our selves able to accomplish any good work. For it is God which worketh in you, both the will and the deed, even of his good pleasure. ⟨p. 834⟩Without imputed righteousness we are all in the sight God abomination, filth, and dung. But the righteousness of christ is not imputed unto us before our conversion. Therefore it is unpossible before our conversion that either our selves or our work should please God. Faith is the cause of good works. Faith cometh from God. Therefore the effect also shall come from God, neither shall it go before the cause: & therefore good works cannot be before conversion.