A14216:124
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.
Further they make their boast that the Church cannot err:1 and that therefore the decrees of the Church are of equal authority with the holy Scripture: because the Church is ruled by the same spirit, by which the Scripture is inspired: even as it is promised, Matth. 18. If two of you shall agree in earth upon any thing, whatsoever they shall desire, it shall be given them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the middest of them. And cap. 28. I am with you alway unto the end of the world. So, 1. Joh. 2 Ye have anointment from him that is holy, and ye know all things: Likewise, The anointing which ye received of him, dwelleth in you: and ye need not that any man teach you: But as ⟨p. 38⟩the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and it is true, and is not lying, and as it taught you, ye shall abide in him. But first of all we know that it is the true Church only,2 which erreth not, and is ruled by the holy spirit, which is gathered in the name of Christ, that is, which heareth and followeth the voice of the Son of God: And therefore these things do nothing appertain to a wicked multitude, which openly maintaineth doctrine contrary to the Gospel, though it never so much vaunt of the Churches name, yea and beareth sway and rule in the Church: according to that which is said, To him that hath shall be given: But from him that hath not, even that which he seemeth to have, shall be taken away. So did the Pharisees, and Sadducees amongst the Israelites err, not knowing the scriptures: neither were they the true Church, though they seized upon the name and place of it.3 Secondly: the true Church indeed erreth not universally. For always the light of the truth, especially concerning the foundation of doctrine, is preserved in some mens minds: whereupon the Church is called the pillar and ground of truth. But yet nevertheless some also of the godly oftentimes fall into errors through ignorance and infirmity: yet so, that they hold the foundation, neither do they defend their erroneous opinions contrary to their conscience, and at length they forsake them, even as it is said: If any man build upon this foundation gold,