A14216:932
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.
For, that nature worketh for some end, this is so far from removing the framer and artificer from it, as rather it most of all confirmeth, that there is a mind maker and framer of the world, which appointed the actions of nature to these ends, and nature deed intendeth to an end through the ordination and appointment of another, but neither understandeth it, nor is moved thereby to work.
For, that nature worketh for some end, this is so farre from remoouing the framer and artificer from it, as rather it most of all confirmeth, that there is a minde maker and framer of the woorlde, which appointed the actions of nature to these ends, and nature deede intendeth to an end thtough the ordination and appointment of another, but neither vnderstandeth it, nor is moued thereby to work.
And further, that there are many things in the world which not only seem unprofitable to all, but are also troublesome and pernicious: this also doth not infringe the general rule, That all things were made to a good use. For by reason of sin those things now hurt, which would have profited men if they had not sinned. And therefore to the godly all things turn to their safety, yea that punishment it self, which God inflicteth by other creatures upon men, serveth for an use agreeable to the wisdom and justice of God. Many things also, whereby men feel discommodities, have withal some uses acceptable, & preservative to mans life. And farther there is no one thing among all things which yieldeth not matter of agnizing and celebrating the wisdom, bounty, power, and justice of the author.
And further, that there are manie things in the world which not onlie seeme vnprofitable to all, but are also troublesome and pernicious: this also doth not infringe the generall rule, That all thinges were made to a good vse. For by reason of sinne those things nowe hurt, which would haue profited men if they had not sinned. And therefore to the godly al thinges turne to their safetie, yea that punishment it selfe, which God inflicteth by other creatures vpon mē, serueth for an vse agreeable to the wisedome and iustice of God. Many thinges also, whereby men feele discommodities, haue withal some vses acceptable, & preseruatiue to mans life. And farther there is no one thing among all things which yeeldeth not matter of agnizing and celebrating the wisedome, bounty, power, and iustice of the author.