A14216:736
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.
This being set down and resolved of, further demand is made, by whom that satisfaction or punishment is to be performed? The Law will have it performed by us, and that justly: but it yieldeth not ability to perform it, neither any where maketh declaration thereof. But the Gospel declareth and showeth us Christ, by whom we may satisfy. By our selves we cannot.
This beeing sette downe and resolued of, further demaund is made, by whome that satisfaction or punishment is to bee perfourmed? The Lawe will haue it perfourmed by vs, and that iustly: but it yeeldeth not ability to perfourme it, neither any where maketh declaration thereof. But the Ghospell declareth and sheweth vs Christ, by whome we may satisfie. By our selues wee cannot.
First, because the Law requireth perfect satisfaction: ⟨p. 225⟩it is not perfect,1 except it be either eternal (for all sin is an offence against the infinite good: If then this infinite good must be satisfied, satisfaction must needs be made by eternal punishment, which answereth in equality to that infinite good) or else temporal, yet equal to eternal, and worthy to be accepted by the justice of GOD for satisfaction. If it be eternal, then never shall we be delivered or recovered out of punishment, death and sin being fully conquered: because it can never be said, that we have satisfied (which implieth the end) but only that we are satisfying (which showeth the perpetuation and continuing of punishment) which satisfaction is such as the punishment of the Devils and reprobate men, which never shall have an end. Now for a Temporal punishment which should be answerable and equal to eternal, there is no man, by reason of manifold imperfection who can perform it.
First, because the Lawe requireth perfect satisfaction: ⟨p. 225⟩it is not perfect,