A14216:498
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.
1Objection. John. 3.21. He that doth truth, cometh to the light, that his deeds might be made manifest, that they are wrought according to God. 1. John 3.20. If our heart condemn us not, then have we boldness toward God. Psalm. 119. I have not declined from thy Law. Therefore the good works of the regenerate may be alleged and stand in Gods judgement as perfectly answerable unto his Law. Answer. These and the like sayings do not challenge to the Godly in this life perfect fulfilling of the Law; but the uprightness of a good conscience, without which faith can not consist or stand: as neither can a good conscience, without faith. As it is said, 1. Timot. 1.18. Fight a good fight, having Faith and a good conscience. And Roman. 5.1. Then being justified by Faith, we have peace toward GOD thorough our Lord Jesus Christ. For a good conscience is a certain knowledge, that we have faith and a purpose to obey GOD according to all his commandments, and that we and our obedience, though maimed and scarce begun, please GOD; not for that it satisfieth his Law, but because those sins and defects which remain in us are for-given us for the satisfaction of Christ which is imputed unto us. For as new obedience is begun by Faith, so by Faith also it pleaseth GOD. Wherefore the Godly slack not to bring forth their life into the light, neither shake and shiver they at the tribunal ⟨p. 185⟩of Christ, but comfort themselves with the conscience, or inward knowledge thereof.
1Obiection. Iohn. 3.21. He that doth truth, commeth to the light, that his deedes might bee made manifest, that they are wrought according to God. 1. Iohn 3.20. If our heart condemne vs not, then haue wee boldenes toward God. Psalm. 119. I haue not declined from thy Lawe. Therefore the good woorckes of the regenerate maie bee alleadged and stand in Gods iudgement as perfectlie aunswerable vnto his Lawe. Aunswere. These and the like sayinges doe not challenge to the Godly in this life perfect fulfilling of the Law; but the vprightnes of a good conscience, without which faith can not consist or stand: as neither can a good conscience, without faith. As it is saide, 1. Timot. 1.18. Fight a good fight, hauing Faith and a good conscience. And Roman. 5.1. Then beeing iustified by Faith, wee haue peace towarde GOD thorough our Lorde Iesus Christ. For a good conscience is a certaine knowledge, that wee haue faith and a purpose to obey GOD according to all his commaundements, and that wee and our obedience, though maimed and scarce begunne, please GOD; not for that it satisfieth his Lawe, but because those sinnes and defectes which remayne in vs are for-giuen vs for the satisfaction of Christ which is imputed vnto vs. For as newe obedience is begunne by Faith, so by Faith also it pleaseth GOD. Wherefore the Godly slacke not to bring foorth their life into the light, neither shake and shiuer they at the tribunal