A14216:288
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.
But neither of the contrary followeth it,1 that the works of the unregenerate, whether they be civilly or morally good, are not therefore sins, and displeasing God, because they are commanded of him. For that the work be good and pleasing to God, not only that which is commanded must be done, but it must be done after that manner also which is commanded, or, which is all one, it must agree not only in part but in whole with the Law of God. And since the works of the unregenerate are not so done, though not wholly yet for a great part they swerve from the Law of God, and are destitute of that perfection and rightness, without which they cannot please God.
But neither of the contrary followeth it,1 that the works of the vnregenerate, whether they be ciuillie or morallie good, are not therefore sinnes, and displeasing God, because they are commanded of him. For that the woork be good and pleasing to God, not only that which is commanded must be done, but it must be done after that maner also which is commanded, or, which is all one, it must agree not onely in part but in whole with the Lawe of God. And since the woorks of the vnregenerate are not so done, though not wholy yet for a great part they swarue from the Law of God, and are destitute of that perfection and rightnes, without which they cannot please God.
- 1Why the works of the unregenerate cannot please God.Why the works of the vnregenerate cannot please God.
If any man urge, That the works even of the regenerate also ⟨p. 96⟩are not perfect, 1neither yet for all that are they counted sins: and that therefore we must not so severely give sentence against others: the answer is at hand: that faith shineth on the works of the godly, but not on the works of the wicked. And therefore they please God, & their imperfection is covered through the satisfaction and intercession of Christ, which falleth not so out with the works of the wicked. And lastly in those is begun the true and inward obedience of the will and hart: but in these not so: and therefore these are hypocrisy, which is severely condemned by God himself.