A14216:474
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.
7 Objection. He that hath not liberty to do good, 1and eschew evil, is in vain pressed with precepts and doctrine: but the unregenerate have not liberty to do good works and omit evil: therefore obedience is in vain commanded them. Answer. The Major is to be denied, for when god doth suffer his will to be denounced to the wicked, either he doth together lighten them and move them within by his spirit to obey his voice, or pricketh them with the pricks of conscience, either to observe external order and discipline, or not so much to persecute the known trueth; or he doth discover their hypocrisy & madness in oppugning it, or he maketh manifest their weakness and ignorance, and at length maketh them inexcusable in this life and in the last judgement. Reply. 1 Whose conversion and obedience dependeth of the grace of god, he hath no need of exhortations and precepts. But in them also who are converted, their conversion dependeth of grace. Therefore precepts are vain and needless. We make answer to the Major, by a distinction. If conversion depend of grace, so that the spirit doth not adjoin doctrine as an instrument, whereby to teach their minds, and move their hearts; let this verily be granted: although as it hath been before said, there remain as yet other uses of Doctrine. But when it hath pleased God by this instrument both to lighten and move or incline mens minds to faith and obedience, the Major is false. For it is written, Romans 1. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.
7 Obiection. Hee that hath not libertie to doe good, 1and eschevve euil, is in vaine pressed vvith precepts and doctrine: but the vnregenerate haue not libertie to doe good vvoorkes and omit euill: therefore obedience is in vaine commanded them. Answere. The Maior is to be denied, for when god doth suffer his wil to bee denounced to the wicked, either hee doth together lighten them and moue them within by his spirite to obay his voice, or pricketh them with the prickes of conscience, either to obserue externall order and discipline, or not so much to persecute the knowen trueth; or he doth discouer their hypocrisie & madnes in oppugning it, or hee maketh manifest their weakenesse and ignoraunce, and at length maketh them inexcusable in this life and in the last iudgement. Reply. 1 Whose conuersion and obedience dependeth of the grace of god, hee hath no neede of exhortations and precepts. But in them also vvho are conuerted, their conuersion dependeth of grace. Therefore precepts are vaine and needelesse. Wee make answere to the Maior, by a distinction. If conuersion depend of grace, so that the spirite doth not adioine doctrine as an instrument, whereby to teach their mindes, and mooue their heartes; let this verily bee graunted: although as it hath beene before saide, there remaine as yet other vses of Doctrine. But when it hath pleased God by this instrument both to lighten and mooue or incline mens mindes to faith and obedience, the Maior is false. For it is written,