A14216:1031
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.
The sum of the difference between the Essence and person is: the essence is absolute and communicable; the person respective and incommunicable. This may be made more manifest by exemplifying in a man. It is one thing, to be a man, an other thing to be a Father, or a Son; and yet one and the same, is both a man and a Father: but he is a man absolutely, or in himself, or according to his own nature; he is a father to another, or in respect of another, namely of his son. Semblably, it is one thing, to be God, another thing to be the father, or son, or holy ghost, and yet one and the same is both God, and father; god in respect of himself, or his own nature; father in respect of the son. Again, the essence of a man who begetteth another is communicated to him who is begot: but the person, or individual, is not communicated. For the begetter bringeth forth not himself, but another distinct from himself, the same essence notwithstanding being communicated unto him. And no relative is his correlative, or any part thereof. Therefore the son is not the father, nor the father the son, although both be true man. So in like sort, the eternal Father hath by eternal generating communicated to the Son his Essence, but not his Person, that is, he begot not the Father, but the Son, neither is the Father the Son, or the Son the Father; albeit each is true God.1
The summe of the difference between the Essence and person is: the essence is absolute and communicable; the person respectiue and incommunicable. This may bee made more manifest by exemplifiyng in a man. It is one thing, to bee a man, an other thing to bee a Father, or a Sonne; and yet one and the same, is both a man and a Father: but hee is a man absolutely, or in himselfe, or according to his owne nature; he is a father to another, or in respect of another, namely of his sonne. Semblablie, it is one thing, to be God, another thing to be the father, or son, or holy ghost, and yet one and the same is both God, and father; god in respect of himselfe, or his own nature; father in respect of the sonne. Again, the essence of a man who begetteth another is communicated to him who is begot: but the person, or indiuidual, is not communicated. For the begetter bringeth forth not himselfe, but another distinct from himselfe, the same essence notwithstanding being communicated vnto him. And no relatiue is his correlatiue, or any part thereof. Therefore the sonne is not the father, nor the father the sonne, although both bee true man. So in like sort, the eternall Father hath by eternall generating communicated to the Sonne his Essence, but not his Person, that is, hee begot not the Father, but the Sonne, neither is the Father the Sonne, or the Sonne the Father; albeit each is true God.