A14216:468
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.
Wherefore man by his own fault and folly losing, and of his own accord casting away this ability, God nevertheless hath not therefore lost his right to require obedience of him, being dew, and by him owed unto GOD his creator: But rather he doth in right require it of all: First, in respect of his glory: because he is just, and therefore doth of right require no less now, than before Adams fall, our conformity and correspondence with the whole Law. Secondly, that we may subject and submit our selves unto God, and implore and crave his grace, when we see him of right to require that of us, which thorough our own fault we are not able to perform. Reply. 3. But not we, but Adam, received and lost this ability of performing obedience unto GOD. Therefore the Law is not unpossible unto us thorough our own fault. Answer. Adam, as he received this ability for himself and his posterity, so he lost it from both.
Wherefore man by his owne fault and folly leesing, and of his owne accord casting away this ability, God neuertheles hath not therefore lost his right to require obedience of him, beeing dewe, and by him owed vnto GOD his creator: But rather hee doth in right require it of all: First, in respect of his glorie: because hee is iust, and therefore doth of right require no lesse nowe, than before Adams fall, our conformity and correspondence with the whole Lawe. Secondly, that wee may subiect and submit our selues vnto God, and implore and craue his grace, when wee see him of right to require that of vs, which thorough our owne fault we are not able to perfourme. Reply. 3. But not vve, but Adam, receiued and lost this abilitie of perfourming obedience vnto GOD. Therefore the Lavv is not vnpossible vnto vs thorough our ovvne fault. Aunswere. Adam, as hee receiued this ability for himselfe and his posterity, so he lost it from both.
Wherefore God doth in right deprive both Adam and his posterity of his gifts and graces: Even as a noble man by his disobedience loseth a Lord-ship in fee granted him of the Prince, not only from himself,1 but also from his posterity: neither doeth the Prince any injury to his Children, if he restore not unto them the Lord-ship lost by their Fathers fault and disobedience. And if he do restore it, he doeth it of free grace and mercy. Reply. 4. But yet, he that commandeth things unpossible, doeth in vain command them, which is neither the part of a wise man, nor of a just. GOD in requiring good works of those, who