A14216:969
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.
2 Objection.1 The promises and threatenings of God oftentimes are not fulfilled. Answer. The promises of God are always to be understood with an exception of the cross of the Godly, and of the punishments, and chastisements of such as depart from God and sin, or with a condition of perseverance in faith and Godliness: and also contrarily his threatenings, with an exception of conversion and prayer, or with a condition of perseverance in sin. And these conditions are sometimes expressed, as Jer. 18. and 28. where plainly is set down this rule of understanding Gods promises and threatenings: as that God will punish them who depart from him, unto whom he had promised blessings: and will spare those who repent, to whom he had threatened punishment. And sometimes they are closely understood, especially in the threatenings and comminations, thereby even to wrest repentance and more timely and earnest prayers from us, by which as means interposed and coming between, he hath decreed to save and deliver us. Reply. But these conditions are uncertain & changeable. Therefore the will of god is also changeable. Answer. In respect of the nature, will, and judgement of man, they are changeable: but in respect of the counsel and providence of God, unchangeable and most certain. For God hath decreed from everlasting ⟨p. 318⟩the means and ends of things: as also he hath decreed in whom he will, and in whom he will not work conversion.
2 Obiection.1 The promises and threatnings of God oftentimes are not fulfilled. Aunswere. The promises of God are alwaies to be vnderstood with an exception of the crosse of the Godly, and of the punishments, and chastisments of such as depart from God and sinne, or with a condition of perseuerance in faith and Godlines: and also contrarilie his threatninges, with an exception of conuersion and praier, or with a condition of perseuerance in sinne. And these conditions are sometimes expressed, as Ier. 18. and 28. where plainly is set downe this rule of vnderstanding Gods promises and threatninges: as that God will punish them who depart from him, vnto whom he had promised blessinges: and will spare those who repent, to whom hee had threatned punishment. And sometimes they are closely vnderstoode, especially in the threatninges and comminations, thereby euen to wrest repentaunce and more timely and earnest praiers from vs, by which as meanes interposed and comming betweene, he hath decreed to saue and deliuer vs. Reply. But these conditions are vncertain & chaungeable. Therefore the wil of god is also changeable. Aunswere. In respect of the nature, will, and iudgement of man, they are chaungeable: but in respect of the counsell and prouidence of God, vnchaungeable and most certaine. For God hath decreed from euerlasting