The Soteriology of James Ussher: The Act and Object of Saving Faith (Oxford Studies in Historical Theology)

Drawing on material from a range of genres, with extensive reference to manuscript collections, Richard Snoddy offers a detailed study of James Ussher's applied soteriology. After locating Ussher in the ecclesiastical context of seventeenth-century Ireland and England, Snoddy examines his teaching on the doctrines of atonement, justification, sanctification, and assurance. He considers their interconnection in Ussher's thought, particularly the manner in which a general atonement functions as the ground of justification and the extent to which it functions as the ground of assurance. The book documents Ussher's change of mind on a number of important issues, especially how, from holding to a limited atonement and an assurance that is of the essence of faith, he moved to belief in a general atonement and an assurance obtained through experimental piety. Within the framework of one widely accepted scholarly paradigm he appears to move from one logically inconsistent position to another, but his thought contains an inner logic that questions the explanatory power of that paradigm. This insightful study sheds new light on the diversity of seventeenth-century Reformed theology in the British Isles. Richard Snoddy Offers A Detailed Study Of The Applied Soteriology Of The Irish Reformer James Ussher. After Locating Ussher In The Ecclesiastical Context Of 17th-century Ireland And England, The Book Examines His Teaching On The Doctrines Of Atonement, Justification, Sanctification And Assurance. It Considers Their Interconnection In His Thought, As Well As Documenting His Change Of Mind On A Number Of Important Issues. Introduction -- Vae Mihi Si Non Evangelizavero: The Preaching Prelate -- Lubricus Locus: The Nature And Extent Of The Atonement -- 'this Sweet Doctrine': Justification By Faith -- 'an Imperfect Kinde Of Perfection': The Sanctified Life And Its Reward -- 'the Comfortable Assurance Of Our Salvation': A Search For Certainty -- Conclusion. Richard Snoddy. Based On The Author's Thesis (ph. D.)--middlesex University, 2011. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 247-278) And Index. Cover 1 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 Abbreviations 12 Conventions 14 Introduction 18 1. Vae Mihi Si Non Evangelizavero —The Preaching Prelate 29 2. Lubricus Locus —The Nature and Extent of the Atonement 57 3. ‘This Sweet Doctrine’—Justification by Faith 110 4. ‘An Imperfect Kinde of Perfection’—The Sanctified Life and Its Reward 155 5. ' The Comfortable Assurance of Our Salvation’—A Search for Certainty 194 Conclusion 250 Bibliography 264 Index 296 Richard Snoddy offers a detailed study of the applied soteriology of the Irish reformer James Ussher (1581-1656).