A14216:439
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.
1If they reply, That that would necessarily come to pass so, which is don, & even without them, & therefore they are in vain used: we deny the antecedent. For although god were able to move mens wills without these, and if he had so decreed to do, men doubtless should do without these, what now they do being moved by these: yet whereas god hath once so decreed the effects, as he hath also appointed their second instrumental and impulsive causes: that verily shall be done which god will have done, but yet not without middle and second causes, by whose means and working coming between and interposed, god will bring his purposes and decrees to pass. Luk. 11. He will give his holy spirit to those who ask him. Rom. 8.10. Whom he hath predestinated, them hath he also called. If they reply again: Although it be granted that these are not in vain in those in whom god will show his force and be effectual by them: yet in others who are not moved by them, there is no use of them: we answer, 1. Although there were no use: yet because that is not known unto us, whom god will move, or not move, we are to labour in teaching and urging all, and to commit the event and fruit of our labour to God, 2. ⟨p. 155⟩Tim. 4. Preach the word, be instant in season &c. Ezech. 3. If thou warn the wicked, & he turn not from his wickedness, he shall die in his iniquity, but thou hast delivered thy soul. Secondly we answer, the consequence followeth not from the denial of one particular, to the denial of the general, or from a not sufficient enumeration. For although many obey not teaching & admonitions, neither are moved with rewards and punishments: yet this use is great, that by this means their naughtiness and stubbornness is opened, and so the justice of God made more manifest in their punishment: Joh. 15. If I had not done works among them which none other man did, they had not had sin.