A14216:1020
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.
4 What these words, Essence, Person, & Trinity, betoken & signify.
4 What these words, Essence, Person, & Trinitie, betoken & signifie.
1Essence, as it is used in this doctrine, for substance, is a thing subsisting by it self (that, is a thing having a proper being, not sustained in another) although it be communicated to moe. That is said to be communicable or communicated, which is common, or may be made common to moe. That is said to be incommunicable, which is not in moe, neither can be affirmed of moe. Mans essence is communicable and common to many men, but this essence is in general common, not in particular, and in number: that is, the nature and essence of all men is in general one, but not one in number: for every man hath his Essence distinct from others, neither are all one man, but many men. But the Essence of God is communicable in particular; because the selfsame Deity in number, and that whole and entire is common to the three persons, & is the substance of the three persons: and therefore the three persons are that one God, who created all things; not three gods.
1ESsence, as it is vsed in this doctrine, for substaunce, is a thing subsisting by it selfe (that, is a thing hauing a proper beeing, not sustained in another) although it bee communicated to moe. That is saide to be communicable or communicated, which is common, or may bee made common to moe. That is saide to bee incommunicable, which is not in moe, neither can bee affirmed of moe. Mans essence is communicable and common to manie men, but this essence is in generall common, not in particular, and in number: that is, the nature and essence of all men is in generall one, but not one in number: for euerie man hath his Essence distinct from others, neither are all one man, but manie men. But the Essence of God is communicable in particular; because the selfesame Deitie in number, and that whole and entire is common to the three persons, & is the substance of the three persons: and therefore the three persons are that one God, who created all thinges; not three gods.