A14216:767
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.
13 It was requisite, that he should be God, not an imaginary GOD, and only adorned with excellent gifts above all the Angels and Saints, but very god by nature, and that chiefly for these causes which here follow.
13 It was requisite, that hee should bee God, not an imaginary GOD, and onely adorned with excellent giftes aboue all the Angels and Sainctes, but very god by nature, and that chiefly for these causes which here followe.
- 1Our Mediator was to be true God.Our Mediatour was to bee true God.
The first is, that he might be able to sustain the infinite wrath of GOD, or grievousness of punishment, which ⟨p. 247⟩should be temporal, and yet equivalent to eternal pains. Now a mere creature by reason of his infirmity would have been brought to nothing, or being oppressed by the weight of so great a punishment, would have remained for ever subject unto the wrath of GOD. That there might therefore be a proportion betwixt the punishment of our Mediator, and all the sins of all men, which was altogether required by the infinite justice of God: it was behoovefull that that person should be of infinite strength, and so to be GOD, who should suffer (without falling into despair, or being brought unto nothing) a punishment, finite in time, but in greatness, and worthiness or value infinite. Now necessarily was that punishment finite in respect of time: Because, that our Mediator might accomplish the benefit of our Redemption, and now, when it was perfectly merited, apply it or bestow it upon us, by his forcible working, that is, might effectually save us: it was necessary, that he should by his power overcome death, and first dispel it and shake it off from himself. These things could not have been done by a mere man, who, of what strength soever he be, cannot by his own force or power wrestle out of the hands of Death. Wherefore it was requisite that the Mediator should be God.