A14216:428
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.
Secondly, Because God, albeit he is by nature, that is, by exceeding and absolute necessity good, and hath begotten his son, and had his holy spirit from all eternity: yet will he, not by a constrained, but most free-will, be, live, be blessed and good, have his son and holy spirit, and will all his purposes and works to be good and just, although it be impossible that he should will any thing contrary to these which he hath already determined. If then this absolute necessity of willing things, in God, doth not take away even the greatest liberty; there is no doubt but that necessity, which is but only conditional, that is, according to the decree and government of god, doth not take away that liberty, which agreeth unto the creatures, that is, judgement and election free and voluntary.
Secondly, Because God, albeit hee is by nature, that is, by exceeding and absolute necessitie good, and hath begotten his sonne, and had his holie spirite from all eternitie: yet will he, not by a constrained, but most free-will, be, liue, be blessed and good, haue his sonne and holie spirite, and will all his purposes and works to be good and iust, although it be impossible that hee shoulde will anie thing contrarie to these which hee hath already determined. If then this absolute necessitie of willing things, in God, doth not take awaie euen the greatest libertie; there is no doubt but that necessitie, which is but onelie conditionall, that is, according to the decree and gouernment of god, doth not take awaie that libertie, which agreeth vnto the creatures, that is, iudgement and election free and voluntarie.
Thirdly,1 The holy Angels and blessed men in the celestial life, even by our adversaries own confession, are endued with greater liberty of will, than we are in this life. But they necessarily will those things only which are right and just, and hate and abhor all things whatsoever are evil and unjust; because they are made such of god, and so established by him, and are so illuminated and guided by the holy ghost, that they cannot otherwise will or work: neither by this necessity of willing those things which are good and pleasing to god, is the liberty of will taken away or diminished in them, but rather is increased, and confirmed, as who with all willingness choose and do those things only which are just.