A14216:412
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.
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, 1which still is considered as good, or the meanes, whereby the end is come vnto. 2. The mind knowing and vnderstanding the obiect. 3. The will alike and equally apt to choose or refuse the obiect represented vnto it. 4. The will dooing one of the two vpon former deliberation. 5. Doing it of her selfe, or hauing the cause and beginning of her motion internall and without her: and this is to doe by her owne and proper motion. 6. Not being constrained by any external agent.
- 1Six things required to liberty of will.
Furthermore, that which is endowed with this faculty or ability, is called free, that is, doing as it self will without constraint. For that is said to be a free agent, 1which, whether it be moved of it self only, or also of some external cause, yet notwithstanding hath such an internal cause of the action which proceedeth from it, as thereby both it is apt to this motion; and it self moveth while it is moved, that is, is moved by an inward cause to do after this or that manner, suffering no force or constraint thereto of any external agent. Wherefore an agent doeth not cease to be free and voluntary, albeit it be moved of an external cause, so as it be not constrained, and have in it self not only a Passive, but also an Active Original and cause of the action which it worketh. Now that which is