A14216:433
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.
Now then, if our adversaries in their argument understand that Liberty which consisteth in the deliberation of the mind, and free assent of the will, we do not only grant, but also better maintain than they, the liberty of will in all actions thereof: and so the Major of their argument shall be false, to wit, that those things which are done by the unchangeable decree of God, are not done by the free will of men and Angels. For this liberty the providence of God doth so not hinder but rather establish and confirm, that without this that liberty cannot so much as be: for God both keepeth his order which he appointed at the creation by his perpetual efficacy and operation, and doth inspire into all by his virtue true notions and right election. But if they challenge a liberty unto the creatures depending of no other cause whereby it is guided, we deny their whole argument, as knowing such a liberty of creatures to stand against the whole Scripture, and that it only agreeth unto God. For him alone do all things serve: In him we live and move, and have our being: he giveth unto all not only life or power of moving themselves, but even breathing too, that is, very moving it self.
Nowe then, if our aduersaries in their argument vnderstand that Liberty which consisteth in the deliberation of the minde, and free assent of the wil, wee doe not onely graunt, but also better mainetaine than they, the liberty of will in all actions thereof: and so the Maior of their argument shall bee false, to witte, that those things which are done by the vnchaungeable decree of God, are not done by the free will of men and Angels. For this libertie the prouidence of God doth so not hinder but rather establish and confirme, that without this that liberty cannot so much as be: for God both keepeth his order which he appointed at the creation by his perpetuall efficacy and operation, and doth inspire into all by his vertue true notions and right election. But if they challenge a libertie vnto the creatures depending of no other cause whereby it is guided, wee denie their whole argument, as knowing such a liberty of creatures to stand against the whole Scripture, and that it only agreeth vnto God. For him alone doe al things serue: In him we liue and moue, and haue our being: he giueth vnto al not only life or power of mouing themselues, but euen breathing too, that is, very mouing it selfe.