A14216:1054
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
Part 2 › OF GOD. › Section 9: 9 Wherefore this doctrine is to be held and maintained in the Church.
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.
But among all points there is none more sharply oppugned by the adversaries of the truth, than this doctrine of the three persons in one godhead, especially since the son of god was manifested in the flesh. It is not hard to espy the causes of this strife, for that indeed no part of Doctrine is more unknown and unsearchable to mans reason: as also for that the devil in hatred of God and men attempteth with horrible fury to darken and extinguish the glory of the Son of God incarnate.
But among al points there is none more sharply oppugned by the aduersaries of the truth, than this doctrine of the three persons in one godhead, especially since the son of god was manifested in the flesh. It is not harde to espie the causes of this strife, for that indeede no part of Doctrine is more vnknowen and vnsearchable to mans reason: as also for that the diuell in hatred of God and men attempteth with horrible fury to darken and extinguish the glory of the Sonne of God incarnate.
11 Objection. One Essence is not three persons: Jehovah is one essence. Therefore he is not three persons. Answer. One finite essence, is not three persons: But God is infinite. Objection 2. That which hath a beginning is not eternal. But the son and the holy Ghost have a beginning: Therefore they are not eternal. Answer. That which hath a beginning of essence and time is not eternal: But the son and the holy ghost have only a beginning of person, or order, or manner of being: and so the Scripture teacheth, Christ both to be Jehovah, and to have a beginning, namely as touching his manner of being. He gave unto the son to have life in himself. Objection. 3. Our unity with God is a consent. But the unity of the son with the father is like to ours. Therefore it is the unity, not of essence, but of consent, which the son hath with the father. Answer. The conclusion of this reason hath more in it, than was in the former propositions. For the conclusion is general of all kind of unity, whereas the Minor was particular of the unity of consent. For there is another unity of the Son with the Father, namely of essence. Object. 4. In ⟨p. 353⟩