A14216:101
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.
11 The testimonies and confessions of Martyrs, who sealing with their blood this Doctrine, do show even in the middest of death that they indeed do so think, as they taught, and that they draw that comfort out of it, which they did preach unto others. And hence also it appeareth Objection. 1 that the certainty of this holy doctrine dependeth not on mens record,1 though the constancy of Martyrs and other godly men give comfort unto us. For albeit the Testimony of the Saints too doth concur, as a less principal proof, unto our confirmation: yet in their examples is seen a far other, even the testimony of God himself, who strengtheneth and comforteth them, so that they are ready to sustain any thing for his name sake. Neither ought that to move us a whit if other sects also tell us of their Martyrs. For first Objection. 2 they are far behind that number of Martyrs,2 which the ⟨p. 26⟩Church hath.3 Again there is not that alacrity and cheerfulness found in them, in suffering punishments, which is in most of the martyrs of Christ, so that it may easily appear that they never feel that security of conscience, and joy of hart in God, which the Godly feel. And thirdly, which is chiefly to be considered, the defenders of wicked doctrine suffer, as being convicted of their errors. But the godly, no falsehood being showed in their confession, are Tyrannically by their persecutors drawn unto punishment, whereas the persecutors themselves are convicted of their impiety and injury, even as the Lord promiseth. I will give you a mouth and wisdom where-against all your adversaries shall not be able to speak or resist. Wherefore albeit sometimes some men suffer for their doctrine, the certainty whereof they are not able to confirm neither to themselves, nor to others: yet do they it not fenced by any divine strength and comfort, but being blinded by their own stubbornness or pride, and the illusions of the Devil they run headlong to destruction: contrariwise, it is said of the godlies Martyrdom: