A14216:111
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.
1Secondly, faith, which is spoken of in the Church, is a part of divine worship, that is, the sure assent, by which we embrace every word of God delivered unto us, because it is impossible for us to be deceived by it if we understand it aright. Further also, that it may breed in us a true worshipping of God and comfort of our souls, it must stand sure and immovable against temptations. But there is no certain doctrine concerning God & religion besides that which is known to be revealed in his word. We may not therefore give the honour which is due unto God, unto men: neither may we go from certain things unto uncertain, but cleave only to the word of God in the doctrine concerning religion: and therefore humane decrees must not be accounted amongst those precepts which we are to embrace by faith. Faith cometh by hearing, hearing by the word of God. &c.
1Secondly, faith, which is spoken of in the Church, is a part of diuine worship, that is, the sure assent, by which wee embrace euery word of God deliuered vnto vs, because it is impossible for vs to be deceiued by it if we vnderstand it aright. Further also, that it may breed in vs a true woorshipping of God and comfort of our soules, it must stand sure and immoueable against temptations. But there is no certain doctrine cōcerning God & religion besides that which is knowen to be reuealed in his woord. We may not therefore giue the honor which is due vnto God, vnto men: neither may wee go from certain thinges vnto vncertaine, but cleaue onely to the woord of God in the doctrine concerning religion: and therefore humane decrees must not bee accounted amongst those preceptes which wee are to embrace by faith. Faith commeth by hearing, hearing by the word of God. &c.
- 12 Faith is grounded only of the word.
1Thirdly, for so much as the worship of God is a work commanded of God, performed by faith, to this end principally, that God may be honoured: it is manifest that to believe and do those things, which can not be denied or omitted without offending of God, is the worship of God: and contrariwise that God can not be worshipped, but by the prescript of his will, both the consciences of all men, and God himself in his holy word doth testify: as