A14216:1367
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.
And the word was with God in the beginning] We interpret this: that the son was coeternal with the Father, and so joined with him, that notwithstanding he was distinct in person from him. 1. They say: That this Doctor and teacher, the man Jesus, was known of GOD alone, and not of men, but he was the Messiah. Unto whom we answer, 1. To be, or not to be with one, when it is spoken of a person, is never read in this sense, as to signify, to be known, or not known of one. It is therefore an impudent forgery. 2. John himself expoundeth it: The Son which is in the bosom of the Father: This doth not only signify, to be known; but also to be indeed in the Father, to be entirely loved of him, and to be fellow and compartner of the secret and hidden counsels of the Father. 3. He saith of himself that he came down from Heaven: That he came from the Father, and came into the world: that he returneth to the Father, with whom he was before. This doth not signify a knowing, or a not knowing, but an existence and being. 4. By him all creatures were made of the Father: Therefore he was present with the Father. 5. He was in the world, before he being made man came unto his own: and yet not known. Therefore, to be in the world, and to be known of the world, are not all one: And by a consequent, neither is it all one, to be with God, and to be known of God. 6. Christ himself expoundeth it: J in the Father, and the Father in me: This signifieth not only a knowledge, but a coexistence and joint being mutual.
And the worde was with God in the beginning] Wee interpret this: that the sonne was coeternall with the Father, and so ioined with him, that notwithstanding hee was distinct in person from him. 1. They say: That this Doctour and teacher, the man Iesus, was knowen of GOD alone, and not of men, but hee was the Messias. Vnto whom wee aunswere, 1. To be, or not to bee with one, when it is spoken of a person, is neuer read in this sense, as to signifie, to be knowen, or not knowen of one. It is therefore an impudent forgery. 2. Iohn himself expoūdeth it: The Son which is in the bosome of the Father: This dooth not onely signifie, to bee knowen; but also to bee indeede in the Father, to bee entirely loued of him, and to bee fellowe and compartner of the secret and hidden counsels of the Father. 3. Hee saith of himselfe that hee came downe from Heauen: That he came from the Father, and came into the woorlde: that he returneth to the Father, with whom he was before. This doth not signifie a knowing, or a not knowing, but an existence and beeing. 4. By him all creatures were made of the Father: Therefore he was present with the Father. 5. He was in the woorld, before hee beeing made man came vnto his owne: and yet not knowen. Therefore, to bee in the woorlde, and to bee knowen of the woorlde, are not all one: And by a consequent, neither is it al one, to bee with God, and to bee knowen of God. 6. Christ himselfe expoundeth it: J in the Father, and the Father in me: This signifieth not only a knowlege, but a coexistence and ioint being mutual.