A64622:8298
A body of divinity, or, The sum and substance of Christian religion catechistically propounded,…A body of divinitie, or, The summe and substance of Christian religion catechistically propounded,…
A body of divinity, or, The sum and substance of Christian religion catechistically propounded, and explained, by way of question and answer : methodically and familiarly handled / composed long since by James Usher B. of Armagh, and at the earnest desires of divers godly Christians now printed and published ; whereunto is adjoined a tract, entitled Immanuel, or, The mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God heretofore written [sic] and published by the same author.A body of divinitie, or, The summe and substance of Christian religion catechistically propounded, and explained, by way of question and answer : methodically and familiarly handled / composed long since by James Vsher B. of Armagh, and at the earnest desires of divers godly Christians now printed and published ; whereunto is adjoyned a tract, intituled Immanvel, or, The mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God heretofore writen [sic] and published by the same authour.
London: printed by M.F. for Tho. Downes and Geo. Badger, 1645
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.
The Godhead is of that infinite perfection, that it cannot possibly be subject to any passion. He therefore that had no other nature but the Godhead, could not pay such a debt as this; the discharge whereof consisted in suffering and dying. It was also fit, that Gods justice should have been satisfied in that nature which had transgressed; and that the same nature should ⟨p. 12⟩suffer the punishment, that had committed the offence.p Forasmuch then as the children were partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same: that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the Devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage. Such and so great was the love of God the Father toward us,q he spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all: and so transcendent was the love of the Son of God toward the sons of men, that he desired not to be spared; but rather then they should lie under the power of death, was of himself most willing to suffer death for them: which seeing in that infinite nature, which by eternal generation he received from his Father, he could not do, he resolved in the appointed time to take unto himself a Mother, and out of her substance to have a body framed unto himself, wherein he might rbecome obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, for our redemption. And therefores when he cometh into the world, he saith unto his Father, A body hast thou fitted me; Lo, I come to do thy will O God. By the which will (saith thet Apostle) we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
The Godhead is of that infinite perfection, that it cannot possibly be subject to any passion. He therefore that had no other nature but the Godhead, could not pay such a debt as this; the discharge whereof consisted in suffering and dying. It was also fit, that Gods justice should have been satisfied in that nature which had transgressed; and that the same nature should