A14216:497
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 he that feareth is not perfect in Love. But Saint John meaneth not that our Love towards GOD, but Gods Love towards us is perfect, that is, declared and fully known unto us by the effects or benefits of GOD bestowed upon us in Christ;1 or as Saint Paul speaketh, Roman. 5. Where he saith, that the Love of GOD shed abroad in our hearts, by the holy Ghost, is the cause, why we do without fear, and with boldness expect the day of judgement: And of this mercy and free Love of GOD towards us he signifieth, that by this token or testimony we are assured, because in this life we are reformed by the holy spirit to his image. For by our regeneration we are assured of our justification, ⟨p. 184⟩not as by the cause, of the effect, but as by the effect, of the cause. Now though regeneration be not perfect in this life, yet if it be indeed begun, it sufficeth for the confirmation and proving of the truth of our faith unto our consciences. And these very words, which S. John addeth: Love casteth out fear; show that Love is not yet perfect in us, because we are not perfectly delivered in this life from fear of the wrath and judgement of God, and eternal punishment. For these two contrary motions are now together in the godly, even the fear and love of God in remiss and low degrees, their fear decreasing, and their love and comfort or joy in God increasing, until joy get the conquest, and perfectly cast out all trembling in the life to come, when GOD shall wipe away every tear.
and hee that feareth is not perfect in Loue. But Saint Iohn meaneth not that our Loue towardes GOD, but Gods Loue towards vs is perfect, that is, declared and fully knowen vnto vs by the effects or benefites of GOD bestowed vpon vs in Christ;1 or as Saint Paul speaketh, Roman. 5. Where hee saith, that the Loue of GOD shed abroad in our heartes, by the holy Ghost, is the cause, why wee doe without feare, and with bouldnesse expect the day of iudgement: And of this mercy and free Loue of GOD towards vs hee signifieth, that by this token or testimonie wee are assured, because in this life wee are refourmed by the holy spirite to his image. For by our regeneration wee are assured of our iustification, ⟨p. 184⟩