A14216:983
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.
Objection. But justice requireth, that never any good should be done to the wicked; they were presently to be punished. Answer. Except there be a reasonable and just cause why to differ their punishment. Reply. But yet no harm should ever be done to the good. Answer. Not to those which are perfectly good. But we in this life are not perfectly good. Reply. We are perfect in Christ. Answer. And therefore we are not punished of God, but only chastised, proved, and exercised, that so at length we may be also perfect in our selves.
Obiection. But iustice requireth, that neuer any good should be done to the wicked; they were presently to bee punished. Aunswere. Except there be a reasonable and iust cause why to differre their punishment. Reply. But yet no harme shoulde euer be doone to the good. Aunswere. Not to those which are perfectlie good. But we in this life are not p••fectlie good. Reply. Wee are perfect in Christ. Aunswere. And therefore we are not punished of God, but onelie chastised, proued, and exercised, that so at length we may be also perfect in our selues.
Secondly when men consider, that God doth not cause and bring to pass that no sin be committed, when yet he might most easily do it: but farther that he punisheth sins which went before, with after-sins; and passeth at his pleasure things from one to another, as the Egyptians goods to the Israelites, Exod. 12. And yet these things to be forbidden us by his Law: it seemeth unto them, that God will, & doth some things contrary to his Law. But these things are contrary to his Law and justice, if they be done by men: but if God do them, they are most just, and are most agreeable to his Law. For creatures are bound one to another, one to provide for another's safety whensoever he can: But God is bound to none. Thirdly, some, when they hear that god doth not give alike and equally to men, who all are ⟨p. 326⟩by nature equal, that is, the Sons of wrath, when as he converteth and saveth some, hardeneth and condemneth others, they deem that by this reason accepting of persons is laid upon God. But these men mark not, that then it is unjust to give unequally to those who are equal, when a due and deserved reward is paid, and that GOD doth give his blessings unto men not of due, but of his free bountifulness.