A14216:2483
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 Whether the works of the Saints be perfectly good.
3 Whether the workes of the Saintes be perfectly good.
THE works of the Saints are not perfectly good or pure, 1. Because the Saints which do good works, do many things which are sins in themselves, for which they deserve to be cast out into everlasting pains. Cursed be he that abideth not in all. 1Yea, the holiest men do many evil works, commit many sins and acts which are evil in themselves. Such was the sin of Peter, thrice denying Christ: and of David murdering Uriah, committing adultery, willing to cover it, and numbering the people. 2. Because there is not that degree of goodness in those good works that proceed from the Saints, which ought to be. For their good works are not so pure and good, as God requireth. Yea, when the Saints perform most holy works, yet are they not perfect, but have always in this life defects, and are stained with sins. For faith and the love of God and our neighbour, whence good works flow, are imperfect in us in this life. The effect then shall not be perfect, because the cause is not perfect. For we do not perfectly know and love God and our neighbour: and therefore neither do we so cheerfully, and perfectly, as we ought, perform these works unto God and our neighbour. J see another Law in my members rebelling against the Law of my mind. And this is the cause why the works of the godly cannot stand in judgement.
THE woorks of the Saintes are not perfectly good or pure, 1. Because the Saints which doe good workes, doe many things which are sinnes in themselues, for which they deserue to be cast out into euerlasting paines. Cursed be he that abideth not in al. 1Yea, the holiest men doe many euil works, commit many sins and acts which are euill in themselues. Such was the sinne of Peter, thrise denying Christ: and of Dauid murthering Vrias, committing adulterie, willing to couer it, and numbering the people. 2. Because there is not that degree of goodnesse in those good woorkes that proceede from the Saintes, which ought to be. For their good workes are not so pure and good, as God requireth. Yea, when the Saintes perfourme most holy workes, yet are they not perfect, but haue alwaies in this life defectes, and are stained with sins. For faith and the loue of God and our neighbour, whence good workes flow, are imperfect in vs in this life. The effect then shall not bee perfect, because the cause is not perfect. For we do not perfectly know and loue God and our neighbour: and therefore neither doe we so cheerfullie, and perfectlie, as we ought, perfourme these workes vnto God and our neighbour. J see another Law in my members rebelling against the Lawe of my minde. And this is the cause why the works of the godly cannot stand in iudgement.