A14216:431
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.
1Fifthly, it is declared by many places of scripture, that all contingent effects do retain their contingency, which they have from the nature of their causes, although they be done by the unchangeable determination of the purpose or providence of God. But all voluntary effects or motions are contingent, in respect of the will, which by nature was like able to have done the plain contrary unto them. They therefore retain their contingency, that is, their liberty (for this is the contingency of the actions of the will) although they be so determined of by gods will, that there can be no other.
1Fiftly, it is declared by manie places of scripture, that all contigent effectes doe retaine their contingencie, which they haue from the nature of their causes, although they bee done by the vnchaungeable determination of the purpose or prouidence of God. But all voluntarie effectes or motions are contingent, in respect of the will, which by nature was like able to haue doone the plaine contrarie vnto them. They therefore retaine their contingencie, that is, their libertie (for this is the contingencie of the actions of the will) although they be so determined of by gods wil, that there can be no other.
- 1Contingent effects leese not their contingency by reason of any necessity imported by Gods decree. The same is to be said of the effects of the will which are in respect thereof contingent, that is, free, and might as well not be done as be done.Contingent effects leese not their contingencie by reason of any necessitie imported by Gods decree. The same is to be saide of the effectes of the will which are in respect therof contingent, that is, free, and might as well not bee doone as be done.
The reason of the Major in this argument is, for that GOD so moveth the second causes, and by them bringeth to pass what he will, that in the mean season by his providence he doth not destroy or abolish their nature, which he gave them at their creation, but rather preserveth, and nourisheth it; so that as concerning their nature, some work contingently, some necessarily, although in respect of the liberty of Gods purpose, all work contingently, and in respect of the unchangeableness of his decree, all work necessarily so as they do. For when GOD by the rising of the Sun lighteneth the world, he maketh not the Sun so, as if being risen it did not necessarily lighten, or were apt by nature not to lighten: and yet is it in the power of God, either to change the nature of the Sun, or, that remaining as it is, not to lighten the world: as he showed in Egypt, and at the passion of Christ. In like manner, when the Quails light at the Tents of the Israelites, and the Ravens carry meat to Elijah, and one Sparrow falleth on the ground, GOD doth not make the nature of these living creatures such, as could not be carried else-where: and yet that they can have no other motion than that which they have, by