A14216:972
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.
Wherefore it is said, Isay 14.27. The Lord of hosts hath determined it, and who shall disannul it? Thirdly, the whole use and force, and declaration of the promises, threatenings, and examples of Gods goodness, power, justice, mercy, and wrath, ⟨p. 319⟩both old and new, to teach us, and to erect us with comfort, or by fear to hold and keep us in our duty and the fear of God: dependeth of Gods unchangeable nature. For all those do then affect us, when we think that the same nature and will of God, which was in times past, is now also, and is and will be such to us repenting, or persisting in our sins, as we see it was in times past, and now is towards others. And then do we truly rely upon the promises of God, when we know, that his counsel shall never be changed. Fourthly, This doctrine inclineth mens minds to obedience and subjection, which is necessary in asking things at Gods hands: that we desire not GOD to do those things for us, or others, which he hath before time assuredly told us, that he will not do: and further that we submit and leave with reverence those things to his pleasure, whereof he would not as yet have known unto us, what he hath decreed. Fifthly, The unchangeableness of Gods will is the ground and foundation of the hope and comfort of the godly in this life. For it is most absurd to conceive of GOD, that now he loveth, and now he hateth us, now he will assuredly give unto us everlasting life, and a little after again he will not: And therefore when once true faith and conversion unto GOD is begun in our hearts, and the spirit of God hath begun to witness to our spirit, that we are the sons of GOD, and heirs of everlasting life; God will have us certainly to resolve, that as he had this his will towards us from everlasting, so to everlasting he will not change it, but will assuredly bring us, at his pleasure, out of this wicked and miserable life through all tentations and dangers what-soever, to eternal and everlasting life, according to that article of our Faith, I believe life everlasting.
Wherefore it is saide, Isay 14.27. The Lord of hostes hath determined it, and who shall disanull it? Thirdly, the whole vse and force, and declaration of the promises, threatnings, and examples of Gods goodnesse, power, iustice, mercie, and wrath, ⟨p. 319⟩both olde and newe, to teach vs, and to erect vs with comfort, or by feare to holde and keepe vs in our duetie and the feare of God: dependeth of Gods vnchaungeable nature. For all those do then affect vs, when wee thinke that the same nature and will of God, which was in times past, is nowe also, and is and will bee such to vs repenting, or persisting in our sinnes, as wee see it was in times past, and nowe is towardes others. And then doe wee truelie relie vpon the promises of God, when wee knowe, that his counsell shall neuer bee chaunged. Fourthlie, This doctrine inclineth mens mindes to obedience and subiection, which is necessarie in asking thinges at Gods handes: that wee desire not GOD to doe those thinges for vs, or others, which hee hath before time assuredlie toulde vs, that hee will not doe: and further that wee submit and leaue with reuerence those thinges to his pleasure, whereof hee would not as yet haue knowen vnto vs, what hee hath decreede. Fiftlie, The vnchaungeablenesse of Gods will is the grounde and foundation of the hope and comfort of the godlie in this life. For it is most absurd to conceiue of GOD, that nowe hee loueth, and nowe hee hateth vs, nowe hee will assuredlie giue vnto vs euerlasting life, and a little after againe hee will not: And therefore when once true faith and conuersion vnto GOD is begunne in our heartes, and the spirite of God hath begunne to witnesse to our spirite, that wee are the sonnes of GOD, and heires of euerlasting life; God will haue vs certainlie to resolue, that as hee had this his will towardes vs from euerlasting, so to euerlasting hee will not change it, but will assuredlie bring vs, at his pleasure, out of this wicked and miserable life through al tentations and daungers what-soeuer, to eternall and euerlasting life, according to that article of our Faith, I beleeue life euerlasting.