A14216:274
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.
If it be objected, that, 1. John 5. it is said, There is a sin unto death: I say not that thou shouldest pray for it: If he will not that we shall pray for those who sin to death: it must needs be that we may discern them from others. We answer, that John doth not universally forbid, that we pray for any so sinning; but at such time, as that is manifest unto us either by some divine testimony, or by manifest arguments and the sinners own profession. But before this is certain & manifest unto us, we ought to desire of god the conversion of all men, & as much as in us lieth, to endeavour it, as it is said, 1. Tim. 2. I exhort that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men. And 2. Tim. 2 The servant of the Lord must not strive, but must be gentle toward all men, apt to teach, suffering the evil men patiently, instructing them with meekness, that are contrary minded, proving if God at any time will give them repentance that they may know the truth, and that being delivered out of the snare of the devil, of whom they are taken, they may come to amendment and perform his will. And Matth. 5. Pray for them which hurt you, and persecute you. And Acts 7. Lord, lay not this sin to their ⟨p. 92⟩charge. 1If it be replied, that so it will come to pass that our prayer shall be contrary to the will of God, if not knowing of it we pray for them who sin against the holy Ghost: the answer is ready: That prayer is made for them, with a condition, by which we submit our will & desires to the counsel of God, that he will convert and save the adversaries of the truth, if they may be recovered: but that he will repress them and punish them, if he have not appointed to recover them.
If it be obiected, that, 1. Iohn 5. it is said, There is a sin vnto death: I saie not that thou shouldest praie for it: If hee wil not that we shal praie for those who sinne to death: it must needes bee that wee maie discerne them from others. Wee aunswere, that Iohn doth not vniuersally forbidde, that wee praie for anie so sinning; but at such time, as that is manifest vnto vs either by some diuine testimony, or by manifest argumēts and the sinners owne profession. But before this is certain & manifest vnto vs, we ought to desire of god the conuersion of al men, & as much as in vs lieth, to endeuor it, as it is said,