A14216:403
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.
Wherefore hereupon have risen controversies & debates concerning free-will, while the old divines yielding too much unto the Philosophers swelling with a vain persuasion of wisdom and righteousness, and the latter assenting unto the former, have either spoke more magnificently than they ought to have done of the strength and power of mans will, or have endeavoured to arrogate that unto men, which is not found in them since the first fall. But let us remember that this doctrine of free will, is a view ⟨p. 139⟩and contemplation not of mens ability and excellency, but of their weakness and misery; which is therefore to be joined with the doctrine of the creation and fall of man, that we knowing the more from what top of dignity and felicity, into how deep a gulf of ignominy and misery we are cast by sin, may not more deeply plunge our selves by a vain confidence of our own strength unto evils, but may incline to a true humility and thankfulness towards God, and be of him revived, quickened and healed.
Wherefore hereupon haue risen controuersies & debates concerning free-wil, while the olde diuines yeelding too much vnto the Philosophers swelling with a vain perswasion of wisedome and righteousnesse, and the latter ascenting vnto the former, haue either spoke more magnificently than they ought to haue done of the strength and power of mans will, or haue endeuoured to arrogate that vnto men, which is not found in them since the first fall. But let vs remember that this doctrin of free wil, is a view ⟨p. 139⟩and contemplation not of mens ability and excellencie, but of their weaknes and misery; which is therefore to bee ioined with the doctrine of the creation and fall of man, that wee knowing the more from what top of dignity and felicity, into how deepe a gulfe of ignominie and misery we are cast by sinne, may not more deepely plunge our selues by a vaine confidence of our owne strength vnto euils, but may incline to a true humility and thankfulnesse towards God, and bee of him reuiued, quickned and healed.