A14216:120
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.
Now if they urge, that these ordinances are called necessary: again it doth not thereupon follow, that the traditions of Bishops are necessary, especially such as are the Bishops of Rome. Then, that necessity, whereof the Apostles speak, was neither to last continually, neither did it bind consciences for fear of the wrath of God, if these things were not observed: but it dured but for a time, for their infirmity who were converted, from Judaism to Christ, or were to be converted, as Paul doth at large teach, 1. Cor. 10.
Now if they vrge, that these ordinances are called necessary: againe it doth not thereupon follow, that the traditions of Bishops are necessarie, especially such as are the Bishops of Rome. Then, that necessity, whereof the Apostles speak, was neither to last continually, neither did it binde consciences for feare of the wrath of God, if these things were not obserued: but it dured but for a time, for their infirmity who were conuerted, from Iudaisme to Christ, or were to be conuerted, as Paul doth at large teach, 1. Cor. 10.
To these they ad the examples of the Church, whom they say Objection. 4 even from the Apostles to these very times to have believed and observed some things, not only not delivered in the Scripture, §11but contrary to the Scripture. They bring forth the selfsame decree of Jerusalem, concerning things offered to idols, and blood: which being made of the Apostles, and expressly set down in the Scripture, was yet abolished by the Church. But it hath bin already ⟨p. 36⟩ready said, that that constitution was made, not that it should last for ever, but for a time, for a certain cause, even for the infirmity of the Church, which was gathered from among the Jews: and after that cause ceased, that ordinance taketh place no longer. Neither yet did it at that time fetter mens consciences, as if the worshipping or offending of God did lie in it: wherefore the abrogating of it is not contrary, but doth very well agree with it. To these