A14216:2504
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.
1 What the Law is in general.
THE Law in general is a sentence or decree commanding things that are honest, binding creatures endued with reason unto obedience, with a promise of reward, and a commination or threatening of punishment. It is a sentence commanding things that are honest: otherwise it is no Law. It bindeth creatures endued with reason: for the Law was not made for them who are not bound to obedience. With a promise of reward: The Law freely promiseth blessings unto those who perform obedience: because no obedience can be meritorious before ⟨p. 843⟩God. Objection. But the gospel also promiseth freely good things & blessings. Therefore the Law differeth not from the gospel. Answ. The Law promiseth freely after one manner, and the Gospel after another. The law promiseth freely with a condition of our obedience. But the gospel promiseth freely, without the works of the Law, with a condition of faith, not with a condition of our obedience. Wherefore the gospel doth not promise blessings freely without all condition, but without such a condition, as wherewith the Law promiseth blessings unto us. And with a commination or threatening of punishment: Otherwise the Law were a vain and empty sound, and should effect nothing. Moreover the Latin word, Lex, (which signifieth the Law) is derived from Lego, which signifieth to read and publish, or from Lego, which signifieth to choose. With the former derivation agreeth the Hebrew word, with the latter the greek word. For in Greek the Law is called [Greek or Hebrew], which cometh from a word that signifieth to divide and distribute: and therefore the Law is so called, because it distributeth unto every one proper charges and functions. In Hebrew the Law is called thorah, that is, doctrine: because Laws are published unto all, that every one may learn them. And hereof is it, that the ignorance or not knowing of the Law doth not excuse: nay rather they who are ignorant of those laws which belong unto them, do even in that very respect sin, because they are ignorant.