A14216:457
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.
And hence also is that dissolved, that they say, that man is not justly punished of God, if he could not avoid his fall. For he that sinneth willingly, or doth draw on himself the necessity of sinning, is justly punished, his own conscience accusing him: neither is it unjust that he is forsaken of God, and deprived of the grace of the holy ghost, who wittingly and willingly casteth it away, and that he suffer the punishment of this his ingratitude and contempt of God, although he cannot, God forsaking him, do otherwise. For none is forsaken of God, except he be willing to be forsaken. As Math. 18. It must needs be that offences shall come, but woe be unto that man, by whom the offence cometh.
And hence also is that dissolued, that they say, that man is not iustlie punished of God, if he coulde not auoide his fall. For he that sinneth willingly, or doth drawe on himselfe the necessitie of sinning, is iustly punished, his owne conscience accusing him: neither is it vniust that hee is forsaken of God, and depriued of the grace of the holy ghost, who wittingly and willingly casteth it away, and that hee suffer the punishment of this his ingratitude and contempt of God, although he cannot, God forsaking him, doe otherwise. For none is forsaken of God, except he be willing to be forsaken. As Math. 18. It must needes bee that offences shall come, but woe be vnto that man, by whom the offence commeth.
At length they say, that God is made cruel, envious, and far from bounty and mercy, 1if he did not bestow that grace upon man without which he knew man could not stand or consist in temptation; & yet would have him tempted of the Devil. But these and the like tauntings and reprochinges of the works and judgements of God, out of doubt are joined with great impiety, because they overturn that ground and principle, which is the first degree & step to godliness & reverence towards God, that is, that whatsoever God doth, it is good and just, & not disagreeing from his nature and