A14216:135
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.
Whereas therefore it appeareth that the ground and sum of doctrine is not obscure:1 yet we confess that there are some places of Scripture, which have loss light ⟨p. 44⟩& more difficulty, then others. But first, they are such, that although they were not understood, yet the ground may both stand and be understood. Furthermore the interpretation of these places dependeth not of the authority of men, but the exposition of them is to be sought, by the conference of other places of Scripture, which are more clear: or if we can not find it: yet least we should affirm any uncertain thing concerning divine matters, our conscience not satisfying us in it: we must suspend our judgement, until God shall open unto us some certain meaning: and in the mean season, we are to hold those with thankful minds, in which God hath left no place of doubting for us.2 But when we answer thus unto our adversaries, they rise again upon us out of those things which we grant them. For because we confess that some places of Scripture are harder to be understood then others: and that by occasion of the dullness and slowness of mans mind in learning divine matters, neither those things which are most clear, are understood of the people, as the Eunuch of Queen Candaces doth complain: How can I, saith he, except I had a guide? And that the ministry it self was therefore ordained of God in the Church, for that it seemed good unto the holy ghost to ad for our instruction an exposition of the Scripture, which is done by the voice of the Church.
Whereas therefore it appeareth that the ground and summe of doctrine is not obscure:1 yet wee confesse that there are some places of Scripture, which haue losse light ⟨p. 44⟩& more difficulty, then others. But first, they are such, that although they were not vnderstood, yet the ground may both stand and be vnderstood. Furthermore the interpretation of these places dependeth not of the autority of mē, but the exposition of thē is to be sought, by the conference of other places of Scripture, which are more cleare: or if we can not finde it: yet least wee should affirme any vncertaine thing concerning diuine matters, our conscience not satisfying vs in it: wee must suspend our iudgement, vntill God shal open vnto vs some certaine meaning: and in the mean season, wee are to hold those with thankfull mindes, in which God hath left no place of doubting for vs.