A14216:929
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.
7 From a body politic, which is wisely ordered by laws. 1This could not have been showed unto men, but from a mind, understanding and approving this order, which mind is God himself. Moreover, that which is not preserved by humane wisdom, or by force, or natural causes, neither yet can be overthrown by Devils & the multitude of wicked men, hath a defender more potent & mighty than these. Common-weals are not preserved by humane strength or wisdom, & are oppugned by the wicked and Devils. Therefore they have a superior and mightier defender than all these. And this defender is God alone.
7 From a bodie politique, which is wiselie ordered by lawes. 1This coulde not haue beene shewed vnto men, but from a minde, vnderstanding and approouing this order, which minde is God himselfe. Moreouer, that which is not preserued by humane wisedome, or by force, or naturall causes, neither yet can be ouerthrown by Diuels & the multitude of wickedmen, hath a defender more potent & mightie than these. Common-weales are not preserued by humane strength or wisedome, & are oppugned by the wicked and Diuels. Therefore they haue a superior and mightier defender than all these. And this defender is God alone.
- 17 Common weals wisely ordered.7 Common weales wisely ordered.
8 From the order and nature of efficient causes. 1For it can not be, that the process and race of efficient causes should be of an endless and infinite extent: wherefore there must be some first and principal cause, which may either mediately or immediately produce and move the rest, on which also all other causes may depend. Now that the progress of causes, which have their moving and being each of other, is not infinite, they show by this reason. If the causes of any effect were infinite, whereof some should move or produce other some, one of these absurdities should follow; that either within the compass of a finite time should be effected infinite motions and mutations, or else at no time those infinite causes ever to attain unto their end, that is, unto their purposed effect. Both which being manifestly false, and impossible,