A14216:981
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.
1Now although all confess god to be righteous and just, because God hath imprinted this notion and knowledge of himself among other in the reasonable nature: because he is perfectly good, and therefore is the rule of perfect righteousness: because he witnesseth by examples of punishments and rewards that he hateth and punisheth unjust things, and liketh the just: because he is the judge of the world, to whom it belongeth to compose or set and administer all things in a just order: because lastly he oweth not any thing to any nature, but by the right of a creator, it is lawful for him to dispose of all things at his will, and therefore cannot be to any injurious, as it is said Luc. 17. When ye have done all, say, we are unprofitable servants. Rom. 11.35. Who hath given unto him first, and he shall be recompensed? Matth. 20.15. Is it not lawful for me to do as I will with mine own? Yet notwithstanding it is far off, that men should judge aright of the righteousness and justice of God, without the doctrine of the Church, because they have not the whole knowledge, not so much as of the Law, wherein God made known his justice, and can affirm nothing certain concerning the everlasting punishments of sins; and are altogether ignorant of the punishment which the Son of God sustained for sins.
1Now although al confesse god to be righteous and iust, because God hath imprinted this notion and knowledge of himselfe among other in the reasonable nature: because hee is perfectly good, and therefore is the rule of perfect righteousnesse: because hee witnesseth by examples of punishmentes and rewardes that he hateth and punisheth vniust thinges, and liketh the iust: because hee is the iudge of the woorlde, to whome it belongeth to compose or set and administer all thinges in a iust order: because lastly hee oweth not any thing to any nature, but by the right of a creatour, it is laweful for him to dispose of all thinges at his will, and therefore cannot be to any iniurious, as it is saide Luc. 17. When ye haue done all, saie, we are vnprofitable seruants.