A14216:429
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.
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.
Thirdly,1 The holie Angels and blessed men in the celestiall life, euen by our aduersaries owne confession, are endued with greater libertie of will, than we are in this life. But they necessarily wil those things onelie which are right and iust, and hate and abhorre all thinges whatsoeuer are euill and vniust; 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 necessitie of willing those thinges which are good and pleasing to god, is the liberty of will taken away or diminished in them, but rather is encreased, and confirmed, as who with al willingnesse choose and doe those thinges onely which are iust.
- 1Angels & saints in heaven have greater liberty of will, and yet greater necessity.Angels & saints in heauen haue greater liberty of will, and yet greater necessity.
Fourthly, It is showed by many testimonies of scripture, 1that the wills & voluntary actions of good and wicked men, which our adversaries maintain to be and to have been free, and we also, according to the right meaning of this word Liberty, do willingly confess, are so guided by the secret and unchangeable purpose of god, that they neither can nor could either do or be otherwise.