A14216:930
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.
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, ⟨p. 300⟩it must needs be that the original of mutations dependeth of some cause immutable, eternal and omnipotent.
8 From the order and nature of efficient causes. 1For it can not bee, that the processe and race of efficient causes shoulde bee of an endlesse and infinite extent: wherefore there must bee some first and principall cause, which may either mediately or immediately produce and mooue the rest, on which also all other causes may depende. Nowe that the progresse of causes, which haue their moouing and beeing eache of other, is not infinite, they shewe by this reason. If the causes of anie effect were infinite, whereof some should mooue or produce other some, one of these absurdities should follow; that either within the compasse of a finite time should bee effected infinite motions and mutations, or else at no time those infinite causes euer to attaine vnto their end, that is, vnto their purposed effect. Both which beeing manifestly false, and impossible, ⟨p. 300⟩it must needes be that the original of mutations dependeth of some cause immutable, eternal and omnipotent.
- 18. The order and nature of efficient causes.