A14216:768
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.
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.
The first is, that hee might bee able to sustaine the infinite wrath of GOD, or greeuousnesse of punishment, which ⟨p. 247⟩shoulde bee temporall, and yet equiualent to eternal paines. Nowe a mere creature by reason of his infirmity woulde haue beene brought to nothing, or beeing oppressed by the weight of so great a punishment, would haue remained for euer subiect vnto the wrath of GOD. That there might therefore be a proportion betwixt the punishment of our Mediatour, and all the sinnes of all men, which was altogether required by the infinite iustice of God: it was behoouefull that that person shoulde bee of infinit strength, and so to bee GOD, who should suffer (without falling into despaire, or beeing brought vnto nothing) a punishment, finite in time, but in greatnesse, and worthinesse or valewe infinite. Nowe necessarilie was that punishment finite in respect of time: Because, that our Mediatour might accomplish the benefite of our Redemption, and nowe, when it was perfectly merited, apply it or bestowe it vpon vs, by his forcible working, that is, might effectually saue vs: it was necessary, that hee shoulde by his power overcome death, and first depell it and shake it off from himselfe. These thinges coulde not haue beene doone by a meere man, who, of what strength soeuer hee bee, cannot by his owne force or power wrastle out of the handes of Death. Wherefore it was requisite that the Mediatour shoulde bee God.