A14216:735
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 are we met with an Objection: But we never satisfy the Law, therefore this manner of escaping punishment, is vain and imaginary. We Answer. We are not able to satisfy by obedience; we are, by paying the penalty which the Law in most full manner exacteth for our obedience omitted. Reply. But the Law requireth obedience, that is, the love of God and our neighbour. Therefore it is necessary, that the Law be satisfied by obedience. Answer. The Antecedent or former proposition is to be distinguished. The Law requireth obedience, that is, which was after to be performed: this being performed, the Law was satisfied. But if it be not performed, then the Law exacteth punishment, as a satisfaction for obedience omitted. For neither can satisfaction be made by obedience, for the breach of the Law, or for omitting of obedience. Because the obedience or Godliness which followeth the breach of the Law, when as it is due for that present, when it is performed, cannot at all satisfy for the debt or offence or trespass which is past. Wherefore sufficient punishment, is that satisfaction, which the Law and Gods justice exacteth at our hands for the not performing of obedience, that we may be accepted and beloved of God.
Heere are wee met with an Obiection: But wee neuer satisfie the Lawe, therefore this manner of escaping punishment, is vaine and imaginary. We Aunswere. Wee are not able to satisfie by obedience; wee are, by paying the penalty which the Law in most full manner exacteth for our obedience omitted. Reply. But the Lawe requireth obedience, that is, the loue of God and our neighbour. Therefore it is necessarie, that the Law be satisfied by obedience. Aunswere. The Antecedent or former proposition is to be distinguished. The Lawe requireth obedience, that is, which was after to bee perfourmed: this beeing perfourmed, the Lawe was satisfyed. But if it bee not perfourmed, then the Lawe exacteth punishment, as a satisfaction for obedience omitted. For neither can satisfaction bee made by obedience, for the breach of the Lawe, or for omitting of obedience. Because the obedience or Godlinesse which followeth the breach of the Lawe, when as it is due for that present, when it is perfourmed, cannot at all satisfie for the debt or offence or trespasse which is past. Wherefore sufficient punishment, is that satisfaction, which the Lawe and Gods iustice exacteth at our handes for the not perfourming of obedience, that wee may bee accepted and beloued of God.