A14216:505
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.
For the liberty which they have to choose good dependeth upon his working and motion. But if it be meant that the godly have this liberty either always, or so, that their perseverance dependeth of themselves; there will be ⟨p. 187⟩more found in the conclusion, than was in the premisses; and that for two causes. First, Because they have liberty always to persevere, who are never destituted of the guiding of the holy spirit: which shall be in the life to come. Secondly, Because even their liberty also to good, who are never forsaken of the holy spirit, yet dependeth not of themselves, but of God.
For the libertie which they haue to choose good dependeth vpon his working and motion. But if it be meant that the godly haue this libertie either alwaies, or so, that their perseueraunce dependeth of themselues; there will bee ⟨p. 187⟩more found in the conclusion, than was in the premisses; and that for two causes. First, Because they haue libertie alwaies to perseuere, who are neuer destituted of the guiding of the holie spirite: which shalbee in the life to come. Secondly, Because euen their libertie also to good, who are neuer forsaken of the holie spirite, yet dependeth not of themselues, but of God.
But here they reply:1 He that is not forsaken of the holy Ghost, except himself first withstand the motion of the holy ghost, hath always the aide and assistance of the holy Ghost ready, that he may persist in that good which he purposeth. But the godly are not forsaken of the holy Ghost, unless themselves first withstand him: therefore they have always the assistance of the holy Ghost ready, that they may persevere. But he who hath this hath in his own power to persevere, or to decline: because the cause is in his own will alone why he doth either obey or resist the spirit moving him.