A14216:939
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.
because that when they knew god, they glorified him not as god.
because that when they knewe god, they glorified him not as god.
Now albeit Philosophical wisdom cannot therefore show, who is the true god, for that concerning the essence, nature, will, and works of god,1 so much as is necessary to be known it doth not teach, & is diversly depraved by men, so that out of the Church remaineth no true knowledge of god, yet nevertheless that voice of the nature of things concerning god ought not for these causes to be rejected as false, or contemned as fruitless. For neither is that straight ways false in it self, which is perversely construed of men; neither fruitless for all things, nor to all men, which availeth the reprobate nothing at all to everlasting salvation. For god will also out of the Church bridle the lewd & dissolute, by the testimonies which their conscience & punishments give of his will, anger, and judgement, and according to them will he have the life and manners of men ruled. He will have mans corruption and his justice made more conspicuous and clear in punishing them, who stubbornly withstand the known truth. He will by natural testimonies, mens conscience showing the imperfection thereof, have men stirred ⟨p. 304⟩up to seek the true God in the Church, as it is said, Act. 17. That men were therefore placed in the theatre of the world, that they should seek the Lord, if so be they might have groped after him, and found him. He will also have them, who are converted to him, to be more confirmed by the consent of nature and the word, as the often alleging of natural testimonies in the Scriptures declareth. Lastly he will, the imperfection of natural knowledge being considered, have mens ignorance concerning God acknowledged, & his mercy magnified, who discovereth and openeth himself in his word.