A14216:748
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.
2 For what cause a Mediator is necessary.
2 For what cause a Mediatour is necessarie.
A Mediator is necessary: Because first,1 GOD will not be favourable and do good unto us, without reconcilement be made, that is, except first we are brought again into favour with him. But the justice of God admitteth not any return into favour, without satisfaction, and a restoring of Gods Image in us. We now are not able to perform this, to wit, to appease God being offended with us, and to make our selves acceptable unto God. We have need therefore of another Mediator, who may perform this for us. Secondly, God required a Mediator of the party offending. For God, as God, would not receive satisfaction of him self, and would for his justice sake that the party offending would obtain favour by him, who was able to make perfect satisfaction. Wherefore such a truce-man is required who both should not be averse from man, but should desire to help him, and also should be most acceptable unto GOD, least he should suffer a repulse; and further might easily by his favour, whereby he should prevail with GOD, reconcile us unto him through satisfying and making entreaty and intercession for us. Now were not we able to bear this person, because we were Gods enemies, neither were we of power to make our stony hearts fleshy. Therefore we stood ⟨p. 240⟩in need of a third, even a Mediator, who both was able and willing to do that for us, and in us, that is, who should make intercession unto God for us, satisfy perfectly gods justice for our sins, and restore unto us the image of God which we had lost, so that hereafter we should cease to sin, or offend God thorough our sins, and should begin by little and little to live more and more according to the rule of Gods law. Thirdly, They who necessarily must satisfy the Law either by themselves or by another, & are not able by themselves, have need of a Mediator. But we must satisfy the Law either by our selves or by another: and by our selves we are not able: