A14216:411
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
Part 1 › OF FREE-WILL. › Section 2: 2 What is the liberty of will.
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.
There is another liberty, of will, which is a power, right, or ability proper unto a reasonable nature, to will any thing, to choose or refuse any object, represented unto it by the understanding, and to move it self (by an internal cause of motion, that is, which hath in it self a cause of moving it self) by her own proper motion, (being apt to will or not to will, and being without an external cause) without any constraint or violent impulsion from any external cause, the nature of the will remaining still entire and free to do this or that, or also to suspend, forbear and differ any action. These six things therefore concur to constitute and make the liberty of will.
THere is another libertie, of will, which is a power, right, or ability proper vnto a reasonable nature, to will any thing, to choose or refuse any obiect, represented vnto it by the vnderstanding, and to mooue it selfe (by an internall cause of motion, that is, which hath in it selfe a cause of moouing it selfe) by her owne proper motion, (beeing apt to will or not to will, and beeing without an externall cause) without anie constraint or violent impulsion from any external cause, the nature of the wil remaining still entire and free to doe this or that, or also to suspend, forbear and differre any action. These sixe thinges therefore concurre to constitute and make the libertie of wil.
1 An object, whether that be any end proposed, 1which still is considered as good, or the means, whereby the end is come unto. 2. The mind knowing and understanding the object. 3. The will alike and equally apt to choose or refuse the object represented unto it. 4. The will doing one of the two upon former deliberation. 5. Doing it of her self, or having the cause and beginning of her motion internal and without her: and this is to do by her own and proper motion. 6. Not being constrained by any external agent.
1 An obiect, whether that be any end proposed, 1