A14216:928
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 if it were so that fewer of the wicked did suffer punishment, yet those selfsame examples, though but a few, would testify that god is, & that he is displeased with the offences of others also, who seem to be less punished. But this is not true, no not of any of them, that they are not punished in this life. For all those who are not before the end of this life converted to god, if punishment do not sooner overtake them, yet at length they die in despair, which punishment is more grievous than all the ⟨p. 299⟩evils either corporal or external, and is the beginning & testimony of everlasting punishment. Now in that this punishment is not sufficient, it doth therein agree with all even the most tragical cases of the wicked: and therefore we are taught by the doctrine of the Church, that Gods lenity, which he doth not seldom use in this life towards the wicked: and his severity, which he seemeth to show towards the godly, doth not at all weaken his divine providence and justice, but rather declareth his goodness, whiles by differing of punishment he inviteth the wicked to repentance, and by exercising the godly with chastisements and crosses, he perfecteth their salvation; and also it confirmeth the certainty of judgement after this life, wherein perfect satisfaction shall be made by the wicked to Gods justice.
But if it were so that fewer of the wicked did suffer punishment, yet those selfsame examples, though but a fewe, would testify that god is, & that he is displeased with the offences of others also, who seem to be lesse punished. But this is not true, no not of any of them, that they are not punished in this life. For al those who are not before the end of this life conuerted to god, if punishment do not sooner ouertake them, yet at length they die in dispaire, which punishment is more grieuous than all the ⟨p. 299⟩euils eyther corporall or externall, and is the beginning & testimonie of euerlasting punishment. Now in that this punishment is not sufficient, it doth therein agree with all euen the most tragicall cases of the wicked: and therefore wee are taught by the doctrine of the Church, that Gods lenitie, which he doth not seldome vse in this life towards the wicked: and his seueritie, which hee seemeth to shew towardes the godly, doth not at all weaken his diuine prouidence and iustice, but rather declareth his goodnes, whiles by differring of punishment he inuiteth the wicked to repentaunce, and by exercising the godly with chastisementes and crosses, hee perfecteth their saluation; and also it confirmeth the certaintie of iudgement after this life, wherein perfect satisfaction shall be made by the wicked to Gods iustice.