A14216:864
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.
But hereof it doth not follow that he permitteth the perseverance of the godly in faith & grace to their own strength and arbiterment. Moreover Paul in that place speaketh not to particular men, but to the body of the Church of Corinth, in which many were hypocrites. Wherefore they who truly believe, must certainly resolve, that God will save them. For if he will have us assured of his present favour & grace towards us, he will also have us assured of that which is to come: because God is unchangeable. Reply. 4. Solomon saith, Man knoweth not, whether he be worthy of love or hatred. Therefore we cannot be assured of the election of God, neither resolve any thing of Gods present favour, &s, by consequent, neither of that which is to come. Answer. To the Antecedent. 1. Man knoweth not; true, as concerning second causes, or by events of things, be they good or evil. For external and outward fortune, is no certain token whereby to judge of Gods favour. 2. Again man knoweth it not; of himself, but he knoweth it God revealing it, and certifying us abundantly of his love towards us by his word and spirit. Reply. 5. But no man hath known the mind of the Lord. Rom. 11.34. Answer. No man hath known it, that is, before G•d hath revealed it, neither after he hath revealed it doth any man perfectly know it: for so much know we of god, as himself hath revealed unto us: It is the spirit, which revealeth and witnesseth unto us, that we are the sons of God. 2. Cor. 1.22. Rom. 8.16.
But hereof it doth not followe that hee permitteth the perseuerance of the godly in faith & grace to their owne strength and arbiterment. Moreouer Paul in that place speaketh not to particular men, but to the bodie of the Church of Corinth, in which many were hypocrites. Wherefore they who truely b•leeue, must certainly resolue, that God wil saue them. For if he will haue vs assured of his present fauour & g•ace towards vs, he will also haue vs assured of that which is to come: because God is vnchangeable. Reply. 4. Salomon saith, Man knoweth not, whether he be worthy of loue or hatred. Therefore we cannot be assured of the election of God, neither resolue any thing of Gods present fauor, &s, by consequent, neither of that which is to come. Answere. To the Antecedent. 1. Man knoweth not; true, as concerning second causes, or by euents of thinges, bee they good or euill. For external and outward fortune, is no certaine token whereby to iudge of Gods fauour. 2. Againe man knoweth it not; of himselfe, but he knoweth it God reuealing it, and certifiyng vs aboundantly of his loue towards vs by his word and spirite. Replie. 5. But no man hath knowen the mind of the Lord.