A14216:483
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.
1The third degree of liberty, belongeth to man in this life, as he is regenerated, but not yet glorified, or in whom regeneration is begun, but not accomplished or perfected. In this state the will useth her liberty not only to work evil, as in the second degree, but partly to do ill, and partly to do well. And this is to be understood two ways: First, that some ⟨p. 177⟩works of the regenerate are good and pleasing to God, which are done of them according to Gods commandment, but some evil & displeasing to god, which they do contrary to the commandment of God: which is manifest by the infinite fallings of holy men. Secondly, that even those good works which the converted do in this life, albeit they please God by reason of Christs satisfaction imputed unto them, yet are they not perfectly good, that is, agreeable to Gods law, but unperfect, & stained with many sins: & therefore they cannot if they be beheld without Christ, stand in judgement & escape damnation.2 The cause for which the will beginneth to work well, is this: because by the singular grace or benefit of the holy spirit mans nature is renewed by the word of God, there is kindled in the mind a new light & knowledge of god, in the hart new affections, in the will new inclinations, agreeing with the Law of God, and the will is forcibly and effectually moved to do according to these notions and inclinations, and so it recovereth both the power of willing that which God approveth, and the use of that power, and beginneth to be conformed and agreeable to God, and to obey him. Deut. 30.6. The Lord thy God will circumcise thy hart & the hart of thy seed, that thou mayest love the lord thy god with all thine heart. Ezec. 36.26. A new hart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony hart out of your body, and I will give you an heart of flesh, and I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes. Act. 16. The Lord opened the hart of Lidia, that she should attend to those things which were spoke of Paul.