A14216:490
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.
5 Lastly, As our conversion, so also our perseverance is the free gift of GOD: that is, As God findeth no cause ⟨p. 180⟩in us why to convert us: so neither findeth he cause in us, whereby he should be moved to keep us being converted, that we do not defect or fall. For neither is there cause in us why he should more keep us from falling away, than our parents in Paradise: Neither is the chief cause in the Saints themselves, why God should defend some rather than some against tentations and sins, as Samuel and Jehoshaphat, rather than Sampson and David. But if to persevere were in our power, or not to persevere, then the cause of this diversity should be in us. Wherefore perseverance in godliness, and abstaining from sin is not to be ascribed to our selves, but to the mercy of God.
5 Lastly, As our conuersion, so also our perseueraunce is the free gift of GOD: that is, As God findeth no cause ⟨p. 180⟩in vs why to conuert vs: so neither findeth he cause in vs, whereby hee should bee mooued to keepe vs beeing conuerted, that wee doe not defect or fal. For neither is there cause in vs why hee should more keepe vs from falling away, than our parentes in Paradise: Neither is the chiefe cause in the Saintes themselues, why God should defend some rather than some against tentations and sinnes, as Samuel and Iosaphat, rather than Sampson and Dauid. But if to perseuere were in our power, or not to perseuere, then the cause of this diuersity should bee in vs. Wherefore perseuerance in godlinesse, and absteining from sin is not to be ascribed to our selues, but to the mercy of God.
But against the former sentence, to wit, that even the best works of the Saints in this life are not perfectly good: and therefore are not able to stand in the judgement of God and to please God, but by the imputation of Christs satisfaction, the papists oppose themselves.