A14216:401
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.
OF FREE-WILL.
WHEREAS God is a most free agent, and man was created to the image of God,1 yea and was furnished with liberty of will, it seemeth to many not to agree that all the actions of mans will are governed by the unchangeable providence of God, & that the nature of men is so corrupted by the fall of our first parents, and Original sin, that it is able to bring forth nothing but that which is evil and displeasing God, without the renewing and especial benefit of the holy Ghost. For neither do they acknowledge that for liberty, which is tied to any necessity; neither seemeth it that we should grant the whole liberty of the will to have been lost by sin; because also after the fall there are left in men some prints and steps of Gods image, and the blame and crime of sin cannot be laid on men, except the will be free. To this is added the pride of mans wit, which admitteth nothing more hardly, than that the glory and original of all good should be transferred from men to God alone. Further also the notable virtues of men not regenerated: and lastly the judgement of our sense and reason, which doth not mark without the light of Gods word the secret government of Gods providence in humane actions.
WHEREAS God is a most free agent, and man was created to the image of God,1 yea and was furnished with libertie of will, it seemeth to many not to agree that all the actions of mans will are gouerned by the vnchangeable prouidence of God, & that the nature of men is so corrupted by the fall of our first parents, and Originall sinne, that it is able to bring forth nothing but that which is euill and displeasing God, without the renewing and especiall benefite of the holy Ghost. For neither do they acknowledge that for liberty, which is tied to any necessity; neither seemeth it that wee shoulde graunt the whole libertie of the will to haue beene lost by sin; because also after the fal there are left in men some prints and steps of Gods image, and the blame and crime of sinne cannot be laid on men, except the will be free. To this is added the pride of mans wit, which admitteth nothing more hardly, than that the glorie and original of all good should be transferred from men to God alone. Further also the notable vertues of men not regenerated: and lastly the iudgement of our sense and reason, which doth not marke without the light of Gods woorde the secret gouernement of Gods prouidence in humane actions.