A14216:487
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 Again: Nothing can be done besides the eternal decree of God. But the good works, which the converted do, God from everlasting did decree; Ephes. 2.10. We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath ordained that we should walk in them: Jer. 1.5. Before I formed thee in the womb, I knew thee, & before thou camest out of the womb, I sanctified thee. wherefore they are able to do neither more nor less of such works, than God hath decreed to work in them by his spirit.
2 Againe: Nothing can be done besides the eternal decree of God. But the good works, which the conuerted doe, God from euerlasting did decree; Ephes. 2.10. We are his workmanship created in Christ Iesus vnto good works, which God hath ordained that wee should walk in them: Ier. 1.5. Before I formed thee in the womb, I knew thee, & before thou camest out of the womb, I sanctified thee. wherfore they are able to do neither more nor lesse of such workes, than God hath decred to worke in thē by his spirit.
3 Again: The gifts of the holy spirit are not in the will and power of men, but in the power of the spirit who dispenseth them. 1. Cor. 12.11. All these things worketh even the selfsame spirit, distributing to every man severally as he will. Eph. 4.7. Unto every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 2. Thessal. 3.2. All men have not faith. Now perseverance in true godliness, and a will and desire to persevere, and the craving of the confirmation, strengthening and aide of the holy spirit, are no less the gift of the holy spirit, than regeneration it self, and faith, and conversion, as hath bin showed before. Wherefore to persevere in faith and conversion, is no more in our power, than to believe, and to be converted.