A14216:118
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.
But what Paul in the Acts is said to have delivered unto the churches is there expressed, even the decree of the counsel of Jerusalem, concerning blood, strangled, and things offered to idols. Unto the Corinthians he promiseth that he will take order for matters of ceremonies even such as appertained to the ministering of the Lords Supper. Now by the instructions which he speaketh of to the Thessalonians, he understandeth, not any Laws concerning ceremonies, but the whole doctrine of the Gospel, which he had taught even the self same both by word and writing: which he had committed to Timothy: and by the declaring of which mouth to mouth, John promiseth to bring true joy unto his auditors. But be it that Paul spake never so much of keeping traditions, or ordinances which were not written, as 1. Cor. 11. when he saith, Now brethren, I command you, that you keep the ordinances, as I delivered them unto you: yet should not the adversaries therefore obtain, that their traditions either are to be kept, or are Apostolic, whereas most of them are singularly repugnant to the Apostles doctrine; neither yet that there were more ordinances then in the Church, then are written, since that the Apostles did ordain no rites, by which the consciences of men should be bound.
But what Paul in the Acts is said to haue deliuered vnto the churches is there expressed, euen the decree of the counsel of Ierusalem, concerning blood, strangled, and thinges offered to idols. Vnto the Corinthians hee promiseth that he will take order for matters of ceremonies euen such as appertained to the ministring of the Lords Supper. Now by the instructions which he speaketh of to the Thessalonians, he vnderstandeth, not anie Lawes concerning ceremonies, but the whole doctrine of the Gospel, which he had taught euen the selfe same both by word and writing: which hee had committed to Timothie: and by the declaring of which mouth to mouth, Iohn promiseth to bring true ioie vnto his auditours. But bee it that Paul spake neuer so much of keeping traditions, or ordinances which were not written, as 1. Cor. 11. when hee saith, Now brethren, I command you, that you keepe the ordinances, as I deliuered them vnto you: yet should not the aduersaries therefore obtaine, that their traditions either are to be kept, or are Apostolicke, wheras most of them are singularly repugnant to the Apostles doctrine; neither yet that there were more ordinances then in the Church, then are written, since that the Apostles did ordaine no rites, by which the consciences of men should be bound.