A14216:1036
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.
6 Whether these names are to be used in the Church.
6 Whether these names are to be vsed in the Church.
These names are to be used and retained in the church. Objection. But these names, namely Essence, person, and Trinity, are not in the Scripture; therefore they ought not to be used and retained in the Church. Answer. These names which are not in the Scripture, neither the words themselves, nor the sense of them, are not to be used: but both the names them selves of essence and person are found in the Scripture, and the thing also or the doctrine it self concerning them. The name Essence is expressed by the name of Jehovah, which is frequent in the Scripture. Likewise by the name of Being, ⟨p. 346⟩which often also offereth it self in the Scripture. Exod. 3.14. I am that I am. Revel. 1.8. Which is, and which was, and which is to come. The word Person, is expressed by the greek word [Greek or Hebrew], Heb. 13. which word is there interpreted, Person: The engraved form of his person. The name of Trinity, is signified, 1. John. 5.7. There are three which bear record in heaven, the father, the word, and the holy ghost, and these three are one. And this for the names themselves. Now for the thing. As often as is mentioned one Jehovah, so often is mentioned one essence. As often as the Father, the Son, and the holy ghost is called Jehovah, so often the three persons of the Divinity are expressed; that is, three subsisting, three understanding, &c. And this answer yieldeth the first cause, why these words ought to be retained in the Church: because namely they are extant in the holy Scripture, either in words or in sense and meaning.