The sum of Christian religion, delivered by Zacharias Ursinus first, by way of catechism,…The summe of Christian religion, delivered by Zacharias Ursinus first, by way of catechism,…

¹The mind and understanding which is in Angles and men. Man, which as it were a little world, is ruled by a mind and understanding: much more then is the great world governed by divine providence; as in the administering whereof more wisdom is required. Whence it is said, He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? ²Or he that formed the eye; shall he not see?

¹The minde and understanding which is in Angles and men. Man, which as it were a little world, is ruled by a mind and understanding: much more then is the great world governed by divine providence; as in the administring whereof more wisdome is required. Whence it is said, He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? ²Or hee that formed the eye; shall he not see?

1. 1The mind.The minde.
2. 2Psal. 94.9.

¹The natural notions or principles engrafted in our minds, or the law of nature, or the difference between things honest and dishonest. He that hath engraved in the minds of men the rule of directing their life, he will have men to live according to that rule, and thereafter respecteth and governeth their life, actions, and events. But God hath engraved in the minds of men such a rule, whereby to discern that which is honest from things dishonest: Therefore he is both the beholder and Judge of mans life: As many as have sinned without the law, shall perish also without the law: ²and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law. (For the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified, &c.) ³And Plautus saith, There is verily a God who both heareth and seeth what we do. And Homer, God hath an upright eye.

¹The naturall notions or principles ingraffed in our minds, or the law of nature, or the difference between things honest and dishonest. Hee that hath ingraved in the minds of men the rule of directing their life, he will have men to live according to that rule, and thereafter respecteth and governeth their life, actions, and events. But God hath ingraved in the minds of men such a rule, whereby to discern that which is honest from things dishonest: Therefore hee is both the beholder and Judge of mans life: As many as have sinned without the law, shall perish also without the law: ²and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law. (For the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified, &c.) ³And Plautus saith, There is verily a God who both heareth and seeth what we doe. And Homer, God hath an upright eye.

1. 1The natural knowledge of the law.The naturall knowledge of the law.
2. 2Rom. 2.12, 13, 14, 15.
3. 3Plant. captiv. Hom. in [Greek or Hebrew].Plant. captiv. Hom. in 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.

¹The terrors and torments of conscience in the wicked, which generally ensue upon sin committed by them. These fears cannot be stricken into any without some intelligent and understanding nature, which beholdeth and respecteth all humane affairs, especially seeing the wicked cannot escape: Therefore there is some revenger of sins and wickedness, who is God, and who inflicteth those horrors,² and also who knoweth and regardeth all things, even the secrets of men: The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. And Juvenal writing unto a friend of his, some way to comfort him for the loss which he had suffered by trusting too much a cozening and perjured Merchant: Why, saith he, dost thou think such fellows to have escaped, whose mind, being conscious and guilty of the deed, possesseth them with astonishment? &c.

¹The terrours and torments of conscience in the wicked, which generally ensue upon sin committed by them. These feares cannot be stricken into any without some intelligent and understanding nature, which beholdeth and respecteth all humane affairs, especially seeing the wicked cannot escape: Therefore there is some revenger of sins and wickednesse, who is God, and who inflicteth those horrours,² and also who knoweth and regardeth all things, even the secrets of men: The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodlinesse and unrighteousnesse of men. And Juvenal writing unto a friend of his, some way to comfort him for the losse which hee had suffered by trusting too much a cousening and perjured Merchant: Why, saith hee, dost thou think such fellowes to have escaped, whose mind, being conscious and guilty of the deed, possesseth them with astonishment? &c.

1. 1The terrors of conscience.The terrours of conscience.
2. 2Rom 1.18

¹The order and preservation of Common-weals. He that ordereth and settleth the Empires and States of the whole world, preserveth and maintaineth them against the power, hatred, sleights, furies of devils, tyrants, and wicked men (which are far moe in number then the good, and wish rather the suppression, then the maintenance of laws,) and at his pleasure altereth and translateth them; it must needs be that he taketh care of, and guideth the affairs, counsels, and actions of men: But it is God, who alone is able to perform, and doth perform these things; for none, besides him, is mightier then the devil; and the order of Common-weals and Kingdoms doth always continue: Therefore God governeth all things by his providence. By me Kings reign, and Princes decree justice. ²That living men may know, that the most High hath power over the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and appointeth over it the most abject among men. And Tully saith in a certain Oration,³ Common-weals are governed far more by the aid and assistance of God, then by mans reason and counsel.

¹The order and preservation of Common-weals. He that ordereth and setleth the Empires and States of the whole world, preserveth and maintaineth them against the power, hatred, sleights, furies of divels, tyrants, and wicked men (which are far moe in number then the good, and wish rather the suppression, then the maintenance of lawes,) and at his pleasure altereth and translateth them; it must needs be that he taketh care of, and guideth the affairs, counsels, and actions of men: But it is God, who alone is able to perform, and doth perform these things; for none, besides him, is mightier then the divell; and the order of Common-weales and Kingdoms doth alwaies continue: Therefore God governeth all things by his providence. By me Kings reign, and Princes decree justice. ²That living men may know, that the most High hath power over the kingdome of men, and giveth it to whomsoever hee will, and appointeth over it the most abject among men. And Tully saith in a certain Oration,³

¹The virtues and singular gifts, or heroical instincts, and the excellency of Artificers, ⟨p. 196⟩which God bestoweth for the universal good and preservation of mans society. And these things are far greater, then that they can proceed from a thing merely sensible, without understanding; and more excellent, then that they should be given of nothing, or gotten by men: nay rather, when God will do things for the preserving of mans society, he giveth us men endued with heroical and noble virtues, inventers of arts and sciences, Princes valiant, good, and wise, and other the like fit and able instruments: and contrary, when he will punish us for our deserts, he taketh away again such profitable and preserving instruments from us: Therefore there is some disposer of these good things, and so the governor of humane affairs: The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus. ²The Lord taketh away the strong man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophets. He giveth wisdom to the wise, and understanding to those that understand.

¹The vertues and singular gifts, or heroicall instincts, and the excellency of Artificers, ⟨p. 196⟩which God bestoweth for the universall good and preservation of mans society. And these things are far greater, then that they can proceed from a thing meerly sensible, without understanding; and more excellent, then that they should be given of nothing, or gotten by men: nay rather, when God will do things for the preserving of mans society, hee giveth us men indued with heroicall and noble vertues, inventers of arts and sciences, Princes valiant, good, and wise, and other the like fit and able instruments: and contrary, when he will punish us for our deserts, he taketh away again such profitable and preserving instruments from us: Therefore there is some disposer of these good things, and so the governour of humane affairs: The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus. ²The Lord taketh away the strong man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophets. He giveth wisdome to the wise, and understanding to those that understand.

¹The prediction and signification of events, or of things to come, and the execution or accomplishment thereof. He that of himself doth fore-show certainly unto men things to come, doth not only fore-see those things, but also causeth them, and hath the whole nature of things so in his power, that nothing can be done without his will and pleasure: But God alone doth of himself certainly fore-show things to come: Therefore he doth not only fore-see them, but also causeth them, either by his own proper effecting them or permitting them to be effected by others; and therefore governeth humane affairs:² Hath he said, and shall he not do it? And Tully saith, Are there gods, and do they not signify or fore-tell things?

¹The prediction and signification of events, or of things to come, and the excecution or accomplishment thereof. He that of himself doth fore-shew certainly unto men things to come, doth not only fore-see those things, but also causeth them, and hath the whole nature of things so in his power, that nothing can be done without his will and pleasure: But God alone doth of himself certainly fore-shew things to come: Therefore he doth not only fore-see them, but also causeth them, either by his own proper effecting them or permitting them to be effected by others; and therefore governeth humane affairs:² Hath he said, and shall he not do it? And Tully saith, Are there gods, and do they not signifie or fore-tell things?

1. 1Fore-telling of things to come.
2. 2•m 23.19. De Divinat.

¹All things in the whole world, both great and small, are not only ordained, but are also done, and tend to their certain and appointed ends: Therefore it is God, who by his wisdom and power, as he destineth all things to their ends, so also doth bring them thereunto:² Man liveth not by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

¹All things in the whole world, both great and small, are not onely ordained, but are also done, and tend to their certain and appointed ends: Therefore it is God, who by his wisdome and power, as hee destineth all things to their ends, so also doth bring them thereunto:² Man liveth not by bread onely, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

1. 1The ends or final causes of all things.The ends or finall causes of all things.
2. 2Matth. 4.4.

Reasons drawn from the properties or nature of God.

¹There is a God: Therefore there is providence. For, that God should not rule and govern the world created by him, hath flat repugnancy with the nature of God, (for the world can no more consist without God, then be created without him) and they who deny providence, deny God to be God, and take away all religion.§2 ²He is omnipotent, who hath all things so in his own power, that with every thing he may do what he will, and without his will nothing can be done: But God is omnipotent: Therefore he hath the whole nature of things in his power, and effectually moveth and governeth all things at his own pleasure.§3 ³It is the property of a wise governor to let nothing of that which he hath in his power to be done without his will and counsel: God is most wise, and hath all things in his power, and is present with them: Nothing therefore is done in the world without Gods providence.§4 ⁴God is most just, and Judge of the world: Therefore he, in ruling the world, giveth rewards unto the good, and inflicteth punishments upon the wicked.§5 ⁵God is most good: But that which is most good is most communicable: Therefore as God of his infinite goodness created the world, to the end he might communicate himself unto it; so by the same his goodness doth he preserve, administer, and rule the world created.§6 ⁶Every positive thing, and all good is from God, as the first cause and chief good; and not only substances, but all their motions and actions are a certain positive thing, and good: Therefore all motions also have God their first cause, and are done by his will. §7⁷

Therefore he ordained and created nothing without some especial end and purpose, neither ceaseth he to guide and direct his works unto those ends for which he hath appointed them, neither suffereth he those things to be wrought by chance, which he hath made and ordained to the manifestation of his glory: These things hast thou done, and I held my tongue; ¹and thou thoughtest wickedly, that I am even such a one as thy self, &c. Hath God forgotten to be gracious? My counsel shall stand, and I will do whatsoever I will.²

Therefore he ordained and created nothing without some especiall end and purpose, neither ceaseth he to guide and direct his works unto those ends for which he hath appointed them, neither suffereth he those things to be wrought by chance, which he hath made and ordained to the manifestation of his glory: These things hast thou done, and I held my tongue; ¹and thou thoughtest wickedly, that I am even such a one as thy selfe, &c. Hath God forgotten to be gracious? My counsell shall stand, and I will doe whatsoever I will.²

1. 1Psa. 50 21. & 77.9
2. 2Isa. 46. 10.

2. What the Providence of God is.

Prescience or fore-knowledge, and providence and predestination differ each from other; Prescience is the knowledge of God whereby he fore-saw from all eternity, not only what himself would do, but also what other his creatures by his permission would also do: as namely, that they would sin. Providence and predestination, although they both concern the things which God himself would work and accomplish, yet herein they vary, in that providence extendeth it self unto all the works and creatures of God; but predestination properly respecteth reasonable creatures: For,¹ Predestination is the most wise, eternal, and unchangeable decree of God, whereby he deputed and destined every man, before he was created, to his certain use and end; as hereafter in its due place shall be more copiously declared. But providence is the eternal, most free, unchangeable, ²most just, wise, and good counsel of God whereby he worketh all good things whatsoever are found in all creatures, and permitteth also evil things to be done, and directeth all things both evil and good, to his glory, and the safety of his chosen.

PRescience or fore-knowledge, and providence and predestination differ each from other; Prescience is the knowledge of God whereby he fore-saw from all eternity, not only what himselfe would doe, but also what other his creatures by his permission would also do: as namely, that they would sin. Providence and predestination, although they both concern the things which God himselfe would work and accomplish, yet herein they vary, in that providence extendeth it self unto all the works and creatures of God; but predestination properly respecteth reasonable creatures: For,¹ Predestination is the most wise, eternall, and unchangeable decree of God, whereby he deputed and destined every man, before he was created, to his certain use and end; as hereafter in its due place shall be more copiously declared. But providence is the eternall, most free, unchangeable, ²most just, wise, and good counsell of God whereby he worketh all good things whatsoever are found in all creatures, and permitteth also evill things to be done, and directeth all things both evill and good, to his glory, and the safety of his chosen.

¹The explication and confirmation of each part of this definition severally. Counsel.) The providence of God is called in Scripture the counsel of God: The counsel of the Lord shall endure for ever. My counsel shall stand. God willing to show the stableness of his counsel. Out of these testimonies it is clear and apparent, that we are to understand by the name of providence not only the bare science or knowledge of things present and to come, but also the decree and effectual will of God: for the name of counsel comprehendeth both; to wit, An understanding, or prescience and fore knowledge of things to come, or to be done, and of the causes for which they are,² or are not to be done. Likewise, A will effecting or working a thing for certain causes, and that in due time and order. Providence therefore is not the bare fore-seeing or fore knowledge, but the fore-knowledge together with the will of God: even as [Greek or Hebrew], which we translate providence, signifieth with the Greeks both a knowledge and a care of things.

¹The explication and confirmation of each part of this definition severally. Counsell.) The providence of God is called in Scripture the counsell of God: The counsell of the Lord shall endure for ever. My counsell shall stand. God willing to shew the stablenesse of his counsell. Out of these testimonies it is cleer and apparant, that we are to understand by the name of providence not only the bare science or knowledge of things present and to come, but also the decree and effectuall will of God: for the name of counsell comprehendeth both; to wit, An understanding, or prescience and fore knowledge of things to come, or to be done, and of the causes for which they are,² or are not to be done. Likewise, A will effecting or working a thing for certain causes, and that in due time and order. Providence therefore is not the bare fore-seeing or fore knowledge, but the fore-knowledge together with the will of God: even as 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, which wee translate providence, signifieth with the Greeks both a knowledge and a care of things.

1. 1

¹Eternal.) Because seeing neither the ignorance of any thing, nor increase of knowledge, or change of wil• falleth into God, it is certain that he knew and decreed all things from everlasting: The Lord hath possessed me in the beginning of his way. ²Which declare the last things from the beginning, and from old the things that were not done. He hath chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world. We speak the wisdom of God which he had determined before the world.

¹Eternall.) Because seeing neither the ignorance of any thing, nor increase of knowledge, or change of wil• falleth into God, it is certain that hee knew and decreed all things from everlasting: The Lord hath possessed me in the beginning of his way. ²Which declare the last things from the beginning, and from old the things that were not done. Hee hath chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world. Wee speak the wisdome of God which he had determined before the world.

1. 12. Eternal.2. Eternall.
2. 2Prov. 8.22. Isa. 40.10. Ephes. 1.4. 1 Cor. 2.7.

¹Most free.) That is, a decree which was made from everlasting, of all things and events, as it pleased him of his great wisdom and goodness, when he had perfect power otherwise to have directed his counsel, or else to have omitted it, or to have things otherwise then he decreed to do them by his counsel:² He doth whatsoever he will. As the clay is in the potters hand, so are you in mine hand.

¹Most free.) That is, a decree which was made from everlasting, of all things and events, as it pleased him of his great wisdome and goodnesse, when he had perfect power otherwise to have directed his counsell, or else to have omitted it, or to have things otherwise then he decreed to do them by his counsell:² He doth whatsoever he will. As the clay is in the potters hand, so are you in mine hand.

1. 13. Most free.
2. 2Psal. 115.3. Jer. 18.6.