A14216:809
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
Part 2 › OF THE GOSPEL. › Section 3: 3 How the Gospel differeth from the Law.
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.
3 How the Gospel differeth from the Law.
Although in the doctrine both of the Law and of the Gospel is entreated of the nature of God, and of his will and works: yet is there very great difference between both.1 They differ, 1. In their revealings, or in the manner of their revealing. The Law is known by nature, that is, knowledge of the Law was grafted and engendered in the minds of men in the very creation, and therefore known to all, although there were no other revealing of it. Rom. 2.15. They have the effect of the Law written in their harts. 2The gospel is not known by nature, but is peculiarly revealed to the Church alone, by the Son our Mediator. For no creature could have seen or hoped for that mitigation of the Law, and the way how to recover out of punishment, except the son had revealed it. Matth. 11.27. No man knoweth the father but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. Matth. 16.17. Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee. John 1.18. The son which is in the bosom of the father, he hath declared him. Secondly, they differ in the very kind of doctrine, or in the subjects or matters which they deliver. For the Law teacheth what we ought to be, to wit, perfectly conformed unto God:3 but yet it doth not make us to be such. But the gospel showeth the means, whereby we may be such, even by the imputation of another's righteousness, and the inchoation or beginning of new obedience, whereby we are conformed to God in Christ. The Law saith, Restore that thou owest: do this and live: The Gospel sayeth,