A14216:509
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.
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.
1Secondly, we answere to the Minor, that euery forsaking is not a punishment, or done to that end as to punish: but sometimes also for tryall, that is, for to make knowen and open the weakenes euen of the best and holiest both to themselues and others, that they may learne 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 spirite; and that so they may be made more watchful, and more earnest to cal hereafter for the assistance of the holy spirite, & to beware of relapses & fallinges. Lastly, that both in this life, & in the world to come they may the better know and set forth their own vnworthines, and the mercie of God towardes them, who hath reclaimed and recalled them out of so many & grieuous sinnes vnto himselfe, and hauing deserued a thousand times death and destruction, hath not yet suffered them to perish. For these causes it is saide, 2. Cor. 12. Least I shoulde bee exalted out of measure through the abundance of reuelations, there was giuen vnto me a pricke in the flesh. And