A14216:998
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.
God also alone is most free, 1because he alone by nature is such, that no fault or misery can fall upon him. 2. Neither can he be constrained of any. 3. Neither is he bound to any. 4. Neither is he subject or tied to the rule or lore of an other. Wherefore whatsoever he will and doth, that he will and doth of himself most freely, when, as much, and in what manner he will; & what he will, that is most good & just. But here chiefly is considered the freedom of will, or liberty from constraint, which is the power & ability, whereby god without any necessity hath from everlasting decreed, the ⟨p. 332⟩whole order of the creation, preservation, & rule of all things, and doth accomplish the same, not being constrained or tied to other causes; yet so, that he never swerveth from his rightness. To this bear witness his miracles, and many examples of deliveries and punishments, and many places of scripture, as Psalm. 135.6. Whatsoever pleased the Lord, that did he in heaven and in earth, in the sea, and in all the depths. 1. Sam. 14.6. It is not hard to the Lord to save with many or with few.
God also alone is most free, 1because hee alone by nature is such, that no fault or miserie can fall vpon him. 2. Neither can hee bee constrained of anie. 3. Neither is hee bounde to anie. 4. Neither is hee subiect or tied to the rule or lore of an other. Wherefore whatsoeuer he will and doth, that hee will and doth of himselfe most freely, when, as much, and in what maner he wil; & what he will, that is most good & iust. But here chieflie is considered the freedome of will, or libertie frō constraint, which is the power & abilitie, whereby god without any necessitie hath from euerlasting decreed, the ⟨p. 332⟩whole order of the creatiō, preseruatiō, & rule of al things, and doth accomplish the same, not beeing constrained or tied to other causes; yet so, that hee neuer swarueth from his rightnes. To this beare witnes his miracles, and many examples of deliueries and punishments, and many places of scripture, as