A14216:2498
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.
6 Whether good works merit any thing before God.
6 Whether good woorkes merit any thing before God.
THIS sixth question ariseth out of the fifth, as the fourth did out of the third. For when men hear that we receive rewards by our works, they presently conclude that we merit somewhat by them. Wherefore we are to know, that good works indeed are necessary, and therefore are to be done also for the rewards ensuing them; but yet that they merit nothing, no not the least of gods gifts, either corporal, or spiritual. The reasons hereof are most true, and most evident. 1 Our works are unperfect: wherefore ⟨p. 840⟩we can merit nothing by them. Gal. 5.17. The flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary one to the other, so that ye do not the same things that ye would. 2 The good works, what ever we are able to do, are all due. Luk. 17.10. When ye have done all those things, which are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants. 3 Our works are impure and vicious, how-ever they seem most good. Isay 64.6. We have all been as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is as filthy clouts. Phil 3.8. J think all things but loss for the excellent knowledge sake of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have counted all things loss, and do judge them to be dung, that J might win Christ. 4 If we do any good works, they are not ours, but are belonging to god only. Phil. 2.13. It is god which worketh in you both the will and the deed, even of his good pleasure. 1. Corinth. 4.7. What hast thou which thou hast not received? We are evil trees: if then we do any good, that must needs come from God only. Mat 20.15. Is it not lawful for me to do as I will with mine own? He must needs be very impudent, who having received, of gift, an hundred florins of a rich man, thinketh that he deserveth a thousand moe, by receiving those hundred; whereas rather he is by this gift received bound to the rich man; & not the rich man to him. 5 No creature which doth even the most perfect works, can thereby merit ought at Gods hands, or bind God unto him, to give him any thing according to order of justice. The reason hereof doth the Apostle yield; Who hath given him first? We deserve no more our preservation, than we deserved our creation. He did owe nothing unto us when he created us, so neither now doth he owe us our preservation, neither is he bound to give us any thing.