A14216:2486
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.
4 How our works, though not perfectly good, please God.
4 How our workes, though not perfectlie good, please God.
Albeit our works be not done according unto the Law, but are contrariwise many ways defiled; they please God notwithstanding through faith, and for the merit and intercession of Christ our Mediator remaining now also intercessor for us with his Father. Whence, Christ is called our High-Priest, by whom our works are offered: he is ⟨p. 835⟩called also the Altar, whereon our works being put are pleasing to God, whereas otherwise they would stink in the sight of God. The works of the person which pleaseth god, so please God, as the person himself doth. Now the person pleaseth God, by the imputation of the righteousness and sanctification or satisfaction of Christ, being clad namely with the righteousness, purity, and sanctification of Christ: that is, the person pleaseth God for the Mediators sake; and therefore the works also of the person are for the Mediators sake pleasing and acceptable unto god. God doth not examine our unperfect justice & our works, as they are in themselves, according to the rigour of the Law, according to which he should rather condemn them: but he regardeth and considereth them in his son. Whereof it followeth that we do as it were supply and repair our want & defect with the perfection of Christs satisfaction.
ALbeit our works be not done according vnto the Law, but are contrariwise manie waies defiled; they please God notwithstanding through faith, and for the merit and intercession of Christ our Mediatour remaining now also intercessour for vs with his Father. Whence, Christ is called our High-Priest, by whom our woorks are offered: hee is