A14216:121
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.
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 §2also they reckon the observing of the Lords Day. We truly as we do believe this to be an Apostolic tradition, & perceive it to be profitable, and a far other manner of one, then for the most part they are, which they would fain thrust upon us under the Apostles name: so we do not put any worship of God to consist in this thing, but know it to be left arbitrary unto the Church. Even as Coloss. 2. it is said, Let no man §3condemn you in respect of a holy day. But they affirm also that some things not written are believed, which yet to call in question, we our selves confess to be unlawful: as, That infants are to be baptised: That Christ descended into Hell: That the Son of God is consubstantial unto the eternal father. But they are too impudent, if they take unto themselves a licence of hatching new opinions, because the Church, for to expound the meaning of the Scripture, useth some where words, which are not extant in the Scripture. But impious are they & blasphemous, if they say the doctrine it self, which the Church professeth in these words, is not extant in the Scriptures.
To these they ad the examples of the Church, whom they say Obiection. 4 euen from the Apostles to these verie times to haue beleeued and obserued some thinges, not onelie not deliuered in the Scripture,