A14216:845
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 FAITH. › Section 5: 5 What are the causes of Faith.
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.
5 What are the causes of Faith.
THE first and principal efficient cause of faith, is the holy ghost, enlightening the mind, that it may understand the word, and moving the will, that it may assent unto the word once understood. Ye are freely saved by faith, and that not of your selves: it is the gift of God. Ephes. 2.8. Objection. The Devil hath faith: It is wrought therefore in him by the holy ghost. Answer. What faith is in the Devil, is wrought by the spirit of God, but that by a general working only, whereby he worketh in all, even in Devils and hypocrites, what-soever knowledge or understanding is in them. 1. Cor. 12. &c. not by a special and proper action or working, whereby to regenerate or sanctify ⟨p. 280⟩them, that they might truly acknowledge him to be the author of this gift, and magnify him therefore; after which manner he worketh faith in the elect alone. The Devils therefore and hypocrites have faith from the spirit of God: but the elect from the spirit of God sanctifying them.
THE first and principall efficient cause of faith, is the holie ghost, illightening the minde, that it may vnderstand the word, and moouing the will, that it may assent vnto the woord once vnderstoode. Yee are freelie saued by faith, and that not of your selues: it is the gift of God. Ephes. 2.8. Obiection. The Diuel hath faith: It is wrought therefore in him by the holie ghost. Aunswere. What faith is in the Diuel, is wrought by the spirit of God, but that by a generall woorking onely, whereby hee worketh in all, euen in Diuels and hypocrites, what-soeuer knowledge or vnderstanding is in them.