A14216:475
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.
2 Reply. It is not mercy, but cruelty to propound precepts and Doctrine to those, who are denied the grace of obeying, and who are by it more hardened, and more grievously condemned. God therefore doeth not this who is exceeding merciful. We deny again the Major. 1 Because Gods exceeding mercy doth not take away his justice. 2 Because he so will have them to be made inexcusable by the preaching of his heavenly Doctrine, as that in the mean season, he rejoiceth not at their ⟨p. 172⟩destruction, and punishment: But for the manifestation of his justice, (whereof that greater regard should be had than of all the creatures, even Gods justice it self requireth) he will that which otherwise he abhorreth in his mercy and goodness towards all creatures, as Ezekiel saith, 21. I will not the death of him that dieth.
2 Reply. It is not mercie, but crueltie to propound precepts and Doctrine to those, vvho are denied the grace of obeieng, and vvho are by it more hardened, and more grieuouslie condemned. God therefore doeth not this vvho is exceeding mercifull. Wee deny againe the Maior. 1 Because Gods exceeding mercy doth not take awaie his iustice. 2 Because he so will haue them to bee made inexcusable by the preaching of his heauenlie Doctrine, as that in the meane season, he reioyceth not at their ⟨p. 172⟩destruction, and punishment: But for the manifestation of his iustice, (whereof that greater regard shoulde bee had than of all the creatures, euen Gods iustice it selfe requireth) hee will that which otherwise hee abhorreth in his mercy and goodnes towardes all creatures, as Ezechiel saith, 21. I wil not the death of him that dieth.
18 Objection. He that prepareth himself to receive grace by which he may do good works, he now doth works, pleasing to God: But men prepare themselves to receive grace. Therefore also before regeneration they do works pleasing to god. We deny the Major: which yet these places seem to prove.