A14216:1336
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.
When the question is made, whether Christ be the eternal son of god, or, Whether he be that one true and eternal god; these sower things are demanded. The first is, whether the son of god or the Word be a subsistent, or hypostasis, or person, in the flesh, & before the flesh that is, whether in christ, man, there be besides his soul and body a spiritual nature or substance, which was also existing before Christ, borne of the Virgin, and wrought and accomplished the works of god, and is the son of god, and is so called in scripture. That he is a subsistent, the church believeth and proveth against Samosatenus, Photinus, Seruetus, and others.
WHen the question is made, whether Christ be the eternall sonne of god, or, Whether he be that one true and eternall god; these sower thinges are demaunded. The first is, whether the sonne of god or the Word be a subsistent, or hipostasis, or person, in the flesh, & before the flesh that is, whether in christ, man, there be besides his soule and body a spiritual nature or substaunce, which was also existing before Christ, borne of the Virgin, and wrought and accomplished the workes of god, and is the sonne of god, and is so called in scripture. That he is a subsistent, the church beleeueth and proueth against Samosatenus, Photinus, Seruetus, and others.
The second is, whether he be a person truly distinct from the father. We are to hold that the Word is a person distinct from the father, against Noetus and Sabellius, who would have the same to be the person of the father and the ⟨p. 467⟩son, & the holy ghost, which in respect of divers functions & actions is now called the Father, now the Son, & now the holy ghost: And therefore were they called Patripassians: also against Seruetus, who confoundeth the son and the holy ghost.
The second is, whether hee bee a person truely distinct from the father. Wee are to holde that the Word is a person distinct from the father, against Noetus and Sabellius, who would haue the same to be the person of the father and the ⟨p. 467⟩