A14216:1303
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.
Furthermore, of hypocrites we are not here to speak, but of those, who are both without and within, that is, are truly Christians, and anointed of Christ by the holy ghost. The anointing of these therefore,1 whereof they take the appellation of Christians and Anointed, is, that being through a true faith engrafted by Baptism into christ as members into their head, they are made true partakers of his anointing. For first he communicateth with them his Prophetical, Priestly, & royal function; that is, he ordaineth & maketh them Prophets, Priests, and Kings. Secondly he anointeth them with the true oil, that is, he poureth into them the gifts of the holy ghost, wherewith they being furnished may easily and rightly discharge that their function. For the holy Ghost is not idle in us, but worketh the same in us, which he doth in Christ: albeit those graces and gifts in Christ are far more excellent both in number and degree. These things are expressly showed by these places of Scripture. 1. Corin. 6 15. Know ye not, that your bodies are the members of christ? 1. John 2.20. Ye have an ointment from him that is Holy, and ye have known all things. Acts 2.33. This Jesus by the right hand of God hath been exalted, and hath received of his Father the promise of the holy ghost, and hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear. ⟨p. 455⟩1 Pet 2.9. Ye are a chosen generation, a royal Priesthood. Revel. 1.6. and 5.9. Thou wast killed, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God Kings, and Priests, and we shall reign on the earth. By these places are these two things manifest:2 one is, that our anointing is bestowed of Christ: the other, that it is bestowed only upon those, who are the members of Christ. And to be the member of Christ is nothing else, than to be conjoined and united to Christ by the same spirit dwelling both in him and us: and by this spirit to be enriched with such righteousness and life, as is in CHRIST; to be conformed unto CHRIST: and seeing this righteousness, so long as we remain in this mortal body, is unperfect, to be acceptable unto GOD for the righteousness of Christ which is imputed unto us.