A14216:108
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.
OF THE FOURTH QUESTION.
OF THE FOVRTH QVESTION.
1WHEREAS it appeareth unto us that it is the word of God, which the Prophets and Apostles have left in writing: there is no man which doth not see, that the Scripture must be the rule and squire, by which all things which are taught and done in the church, must be tried. Now all things, of which there useth to arise questions in the Christian Church, do appertain either unto doctrine, or unto discipline and ceremonies. That the word of God ought to be the rule unto both sorts, it is out of doubt. But in this place we speak of the doctrine of the church, which consisteth in the sentences and decrees, which we are bound by the commandment of God to believe or obey: and therefore they can not be changed, by the authority of any creature: & they ⟨p. 29⟩are become obnoxious unto the wrath of God, whosoever submit not themselves in faith and obedience unto them. To these decrees and precepts the Papists add many sentences, which not only are no where delivered in the Scripture, but are repugnant unto it; and they contend, that the Church or the Bishops have authority of decreeing: yea contrary and besides the Scripture, what the Church must believe or do: and that mens consciences are bound by those decrees no less than by the words of the holy Scripture to believe or obey. Contrariwise we believe and confess, that no doctrine is to be proposed unto the Church, not only if it be repugnant unto the holy Scripture, but if it be not contained in it.
1WHEREAS it appeareth vnto vs that it is the woorde of God, which the Prophets and Apostles haue left in writing: there is no man which doth not see, that the Scripture must bee the rule and squire, by which all thinges which are taught and done in the church, must be tried. Now all thinges, of which there vseth to arise questions in the Christian Church, doe appertaine either vnto doctrine, or vnto discipline and ceremonies. That the word of God ought to be the rule vnto both sorts, it is out of doubt. But in this place wee speake of the doctrine of the church, which consisteth in the sentences and decrees, which wee are bound by the commandement of God to beleeue or obey: and therefore they can not bee chaunged, by the autoritie of any creature: & they