A14216:346
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.
2 Object.1 He that is exceeding merciful doth not punish all sin with exceeding and extreme punishment, neither is to all eternity angry with sin, or looketh upon the torments of his own work. For extreme justice, which doth strictly follow right and law in punishing, admitteth no favourable equity, which yet mercy, especially exceeding mercy, doth use and show. But God is exceeding merciful. Therefore he doth not punish all sin with exceeding, that is, everlasting punishment. Or, God punisheth all sin with extreme punishment, Therefore he is not merciful. Auns. First we are to distinguish the ambiguity of the Major. He that is exceeding merciful doth not inflict exceeding and extreme punishment, that is, except his justice require it. But that God should punish all sin with everlasting punishment, his exceeding justice requireth, which is,2 earnestly and exceedingly to hate and punish all whatsoever is not agreeable to his Law: So that except he did punish it with sufficient punishment, he should not be merciful, but light and cruel. Secondly, we deny the consequence of the reason: because it is a sophism reasoning from that which is not the cause, as being the cause. For the judge is not therefore unmerciful, for that he executeth a robber on the wheel: because he doth it according, to justice, neither is delighted with the torment and death of a wretched man, but had rather he were saved, if so the Laws permitted. Right so, God, according to his infinite wisdom, even in inflicting extreme punishment on all sin, doth notwithstanding show immeasurable and manifold mercy, and contrariwise in showing exceeding mercy doth most straitly and exactly execute his justice. For 1. He punisheth our sins sufficiently and fully, not in us, but in his only begotten son, our guilt being translated on him. 2. He offereth remission of sins and grace to all men, who receive his Son the Mediator with true faith and conversion. 3. He worketh also that faith and conversion by his spirit in the Elect. 4. He preserveth his elect in afflictions. 5. At length he fully delivereth them: And all these things he doth of his free mercy, not bound or obliged thereto by any merit of ours. 6. He is not delighted with the destruction of the reprobate, who refuse that grace offered:
2 Obiect.1