A14216:508
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.
There is therefore in respect of their sins also always most just cause why sometimes for a season God would bereave them of the grace and guiding of his spirit. As, it is in the second of Samuel the twenty and fourth Chapter: And the wrath of the Lord was again kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them, in that he said, Go and number Israel and Judah.
There is therefore in respect of their sinnes also alwaies most iust cause why sometimes for a season God woulde bereaue them of the grace and guiding of his spirite. As, it is in the second of Samuel the twentie and fourth Chapter: And the wrath of the Lord was again kindled against Israell, and hee mooued Dauid against them, in that hee saide, Goe and number Israell and Iuda.
1Secondly, we answer to the Minor, that every forsaking is not a punishment, or done to that end as to punish: but sometimes also for trial, that is, for to make known and open the weakness even of the best and holiest both to themselves and others, that they may learn that they cannot for one instant or moment stand against the tentations & assaults of Satan, if they be not presently sustained and ruled by the conduct of the holy spirit; and that so they may be made more watchful, and more earnest to call hereafter for the assistance of the holy spirit, & to beware of relapses & fallings. Lastly, that both in this life, & in the world to come they may the better know and set forth their own unworthiness, and the mercy of God towards them, who hath reclaimed and recalled them out of so many & grievous sins unto himself, and having deserved a thousand times death and destruction, hath not yet suffered them to perish. For these causes it is said, 2. Cor. 12. Least I should be exalted out of measure through the abundance of revelations, there was given unto me a prick in the flesh. And Rom. 11. God hath shut up all in unbelief, that he might have mercy of all.