A14216:812
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.
The gospel therefore requireth of us only a true faith, whereby we may embrace Christs perfect righteousness freely imputed to believers, yea Christ himself together with all his benefits bestowed of mere grace upon us. Neither for these respects are the Law and the gospel at odds one with the other. For albeit the Law will, that thou keep the commandments, if thou wilt enter into life: yet doth it not shut thee from everlasting life, if another fulfil the Law for thee. For by setting down the one way of satisfying for sins, it doth not exclude the other, to wit, of satisfying by another, which way the gospel declareth unto us. Now we cannot make satisfaction by another, that is, by Christ, except by faith we cloth our selves with his perfect righteousness. The gospel therefore commandeth us to have faith, and with-all to repent from our heart: for faith cannot stand without true repentance.
The gospel therefore requireth of vs only a true faith, whereby we may embrace Christs perfect righteousnesse freely imputed to beleeuers, yea Christ himselfe together with all his benefits bestowed of mere grace vpon vs. Neither for these respects are the Law and the gospell at ods one with the other. For albeit the Lawe will, that thou keepe the commaundementes, if thou wilt enter into life: yet dooth it not shutte thee from euerlasting life, if another fulfill the Lawe for thee. For by setting downe the one way of satisfieng for sinnes, it doth not exclude the other, to wit, of satisfieng by another, which way the gospel declareth vnto vs. Now we cannot make satisfaction by another, that is, by Christ, except by faith wee cloth our selues with his perfect righteousnesse. The gospell therefore commaundeth vs to haue faith, and with-all to repent from our hearte: for faith cannot stande without true repentance.
4 They differ in effects. The Law is the ministry of death, 1and killeth. Because by it self without the Gospel, it is only the letter, that is, the outward preaching, and bare knowledge of those things which we ought to do. For it teacheth indeed our duty, and that righteousness, which God requireth at our hands: but it doth not make us able to perform that righteousness, neither doth it show us any hope to attain thereunto by another; but rather accuseth and condemneth our unrighteousness. Flesh hardly bearing this, is angry and rageth against GOD himself, and is in despair.