A14216:127
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.
This ground being once laid,1 that so far forth the Church erreth not, as it doth not swerve from the written word of God, it is easy to answer to that which they make show of to the contrary; that the Church is ruled by Bishops, and therefore must obey them: as it is said, Act. cap. 20. Take heed unto all the flock whereof the holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to govern the Church of God. And Mat. 18. If he refuse to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man, and a Publican. Luc. 10. He that heareth you, heareth me: and he that despiseth you, despiseth me. And to the Hebrews 13. Obey those who bear rule over you. For both they must rule, and the Church must obey them, according unto the prescript of Gods word: as it is said, If any man preach any other doctrine, let him be accursed. 2Whatsoever therefore the ministers propound out of the word of God unto the Church, we must of necessity obey it; that which the Lord teacheth Matt. 23.2. when he sayeth, The Scribes & the Pharisees sit in Moses chair. All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do. For they sit in Moses chair, who teach Moses doctrine in the Church. If also they ordain any things indifferent and of a middle sort, which are profitable, these also are to be observed for maintaining of order, and avoiding of offence. But if they require us to believe or observe things repugnant to the word of God, or things that are in their own nature indifferent, with putting an opinion of necessity in them, and of worshipping of God, they sit no longer in Moses chair, but in the chair of scorners: and of them it is said,3 The sheep heard them not. Likewise 1. Tim. 4. In the latter times some shall depart from the faith, and shall give heed unto the spirits of error. And that the decrees of the Bishops also are not to be received among the precepts and decrees of the Church, is confirmed by the example of the civill magistrate, whose just & good Laws bind the consciences of the subjects.