A14216:324
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 because the will of men is depraved ⟨p. 110⟩by the devil and it self, it bringeth forth sin, which God neither when he maketh nor when he moveth the will, intendeth or mindeth to bring forth. Wherefore it followeth not at all, that God is the cause of those sins which are committed by his creatures depraved and corrupted of themselves.
but because the wil of men is depraued ⟨p. 110⟩by the diuel and it selfe, it bringeth forth sin, which God neither when he maketh nor when he moueth the wil, intendeth or mindeth to bring forth. Wherefore it followeth not at al, that God is the cause of those sins which are committed by his creatures depraued and corrupted of themselues.
Likewise it is objected: Second causes are able to do nothing without the first cause, which is God. Wherefore neither is sin brought forth, neither do they deprave themselves, but that also the first cause worketh it with them. 1We answer to the antecedent: The second causes do nothing without the first cause, that is, without the first cause preserve them and move them to do, so far forth as it is good which they do: but they do without the first cause concurring with them to the bringing forth of evil, as it is a fault, or of sin. Isa. 30. We to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me, and cover with a covering, but not by my spirit, that they may lay sin upon sin.
Likewise it is obiected: Second causes are able to do nothing without the first cause, which is God. Wherefore neither is sinne brought forth, neither doe they depraue themselues, but that also the first cause worketh it with them. 1