A14216:496
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.
And albeit in all men, even in the most holy, much hypocrisy remaineth, as it is said, Every man is a liar: yet there is a great difference between them, who are wholly hypocrites, and please themselves in their hypocrisy, having no beginning or feeling of true godliness in their hearts, and those, who acknowledging and bewailing the remnants of hypocrisy which are in them, have withal the beginnings of true faith and conversion unto God. Those hypocrites are condemned of GOD: these are received into favour, not for this beginning of obedience in them, but for the perfect obedience of Christ which is imputed unto them. And therefore to this declaration or exposition, another is also to be added: ⟨p. 183⟩That they who are converted are perfect in the sight of God, not only in respect of the parts of true Godliness, which all are begun in them, but also in respect of the degrees of the true and perfect righteousness of Christ imputed unto them: As it is said, Coloss. 2.10. Ye are complete in him. Heb. 10.14. With one offering hath he consecrated for ever them that are sanctified. But they reply, that the perfection also of degrees is attributed unto the Saints in the Scripture. 1. Corint. 2. vers. 6. We speak wisdom among them that are perfect. 1. Cor. 14. Be perfect in understanding. Eph. 4. vers. 13. Till we all meet together in the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, and unto the measure of the age, of the fullness of Christ. But these places also do not call them perfect, in respect of the Law of God, that is, in respect of that degree of knowledge and obedience which the Law requireth in us: but in respect of the weaker, who have less light and certainty and readiness, confirmed by use and exercise to obey God, to resist carnal lusts, and to bear the cross. For so is this perfection expounded, Heb. 5. and Ephes. 4.14. That we be no more children, wandering and carried about with every wind of doctrine.