A14216:119
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.
Objection. 3 They allege farther the practise and examples of the Apostles, 1as if they did make any ordinances or Laws either besides or against the Scripture: as when Paul ordaineth many things of choosing Bishops and Deacons, of widows, of women to be covered and to contain themselves in silence, of not divorcing the husband, if he be an infidel, of controversies between ⟨p. 35⟩Christians. 2But these men remember not that their authority is not equal unto the Apostles authority: neither consider they that there is nothing in all these things appointed of Paul, which is not agreeable to the rest of the word of God contained in writing, and that many of those things which they allege is comprehended in the commandments of the Decalogue. More trifling is it,3 that they say the form of Baptism appointed by Christ was changed by the Apostles, because it is read in the Acts. 2.8. and 19, that they Baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. For in those places not the form of Baptism, but the use is declared, that is, that men were baptised, for to testify that they did belong to Christ. Neither yet by the example of the Apostles, who interdicted the Churches things offered to idols, blood, and that which was strangled, is it lawful for Councils and Bishops to make decrees and Laws to tie mens consciences. For first, here again there must needs be retained a difference between the Apostles by whom God opened his will unto men (whereupon they also say, It seemed good to the holy Ghost and to us) and other ministers of the Church, who are tied unto the Apostles doctrine. Further, as concerning this decree of the Apostles, they decreed nothing else, then what the rule of charity commandeth, which at all times would have; that in things indifferent men should deal without offence.
Obiection. 3 They alleadge farther the practise and examples of the Apostles, 1as if they did make anie ordinances or Lawes either besides or against the Scripture: as when Paul ordaineih manie things of choosing Bishops and Deacons, of widowes, of weomen to be couered and to containe themselues in silence, of not deuorcing the husband, if he bee an infidel, of controuersies betweene