A14216:994
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.
Seventhly, That he doth these things towards sinners, who not only were unworthy of them, but also who were his deadly enemies. Romans 5.10. When we were enemies, we were reconciled to GOD by the death of his son. They also of the wiser sort, which are out of the Church, are all compelled to attribute mercy unto God, because they see him so mercifully to spare sinners: whereupon Jeremiah, Lamentations chap. 3.22. saith, It is the Lords mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. But because the perfectness of Gods justice, and the privity of their own sins doth not permit them to conceive any firm persuasion of Gods mercy towards them, neither know they ought concerning the salvation of men by the death of his son: therefore are they not able either constantly or wholly to agnise Gods mercy.
Seuenthly, That hee dooth these thinges towardes sinners, who not onelie were vnwoorthie of them, but also who were his deadlie enimies. Romanes 5.10. When wee were enimies, wee were reconciled to GOD by the death of his sonne. They also of the wiser sort, which are out of the Church, are all compelled to attribute mercie vnto God, beecause they see him so mercifullie to spare sinners: whereupon Ieremie, Lamentations chap. 3.22. saith, It is the Lordes mercies that wee are not consumed, because his compassions faile not. But beecause the perfectnesse of Gods iustice, and the priuitie of their owne sinnes doth not permit them to conceiue any firme persuasion of Gods mercie towardes them, neither knowe they ought concerning the saluation of men by the death of his sonne: therefore are they not able either constantly or wholy to agnise Gods mercie.
1 Objection. Mercy is a kind of grief or sorrow: therefore there is sorrow and grief in God. Answer. The names of affections, when they are attributed unto God by an Anthropopathy, they do not signify any passion or change in God, but an inspeakeable either dislike, or liking of the objects. God therefore is said to be merciful. 1. Because he is against the destruction of his creature. 2. Because he doth those things, which merciful men are wont to do. 2 Objection. God seemeth sometimes to rejoice in revengement.