A14216:718
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.
Here ariseth a question: Whether Adam after his fall might have certainly promised himself delivery? We answer, that he could not, without especial promise, and revelation. And before he had this, nothing could present it self unto his mind, but the great justice & truth of God exacting of him everlasting punishment, for not yielding obedience. For flesh & blood reveal not those things, which are the peculiar and proper benefits of the Mediator. But some man may except: that the self same causes notwithstanding do remain, even now after the publishing of the Gospel, to wit, the justice and truth of GOD, who is never changed. If then Adam could not hope for delivery before the promise was published, neither could he after the publishing thereof. For so he might have reasoned: It is impossible that the justice and truth of GOD should be impeached. But mans recovering and escaping out of punishment, would impeach the justice and truth of GOD, because everlasting punishment should not be inflicted on man which yet the justice and truth of GOD require. For, the punishment to be everlasting, and yet man to wade and escape out of it, are things contradictory, and of flat repugnancy. Therefore mans escape and delivery out of punishment is impossible.
Here ariseth a question: Whether Adam after his fall might haue certainly promised himselfe deliuerie? Wee aunswere, that hee coulde not, without especiall promise, and reuelation. And before he had this, nothing could present it selfe vnto his mind, but the great iustice & truth of God exacting of him euerlasting punishment, for not yeelding obediēce. For flesh & bloud reueal not those things, which are the peculiar and proper benefites of the Mediatour. But some man may except: that the selfe same causes notwithstanding doe remaine, euen nowe after the publishing of the Gospell, to wit, the iustice and truth of GOD, who is neuer chaunged. If then Adam coulde not hope for deliuerie before the promise was published, neither could he after the publishing thereof. For so hee might haue reasoned: It is impossible that the iustice and truth of GOD shoulde bee impeached. But mans recouering and escaping out of punishment, would impeache the iustice and truth of GOD, because euerlasting punishment shoulde not bee inflicted on man which yet the iustice and truth of GOD require. For, the punishment to bee euerlasting, and yet man to wade and escape out of it, are thinges contradictorie, and of flatte repugnauncie. Therefore mans escape and deliuerie out of punishment is impossible.