A14216:137
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.
Thirdly, that the doctrine be applied to the use of the Church, which it hath in confirming true opinions, or refuting errors, in knowing of God and our selves, in exhorting, in comforting, and in directing of our life: as Paul commandeth, 2. Tim. 2. Study to divide the word of truth aright. And to. Titus, cap. 1. A Bishop must hold fast the faithful word according to doctrine, that he also may be able to exhort with wholesome doctrine, 1and improve them that say against it. And wisely did Epiphanius advise: Not all words of Scripture have need to be allegorised or construed according to a strange sense, but they must be understood as they are: and further they require meditation and sense for the understanding of the drift and purpose of every argument. That is, Al places of scripture are not to be transformed into allegories: but we must seek out the proper sense of the words, by meditation and sense, that is, using the rules of art, and having a regard of the propriety of tongues and our own experience, by which we know the nature of those things which are signified by words commonly used in the Church.
Thirdly, that the doctrine be applied to the vse of the Church, which it hath in confirming true opinions, or refuting errors, in knowing of God and our selues, in exhorting, in comforting, and in directing of our life: as Paul commaundeth, 2. Tim. 2. Studie to diuide the word of truth aright. And to. Titus, cap. 1. A Bishop must holde fast the faithful word according to doctrine, that he also may be able to exhort with wholesome doctrine, 1and improue them that saie against it. And wiselie did Epiphanius aduise: Not al woords of Scripture haue neede to bee allegorised or construed according to a strange sense, but they must be vnderstood as they are: and further they require meditation and sense for the vnderstanding of the drift and purpose of euerie argument. That is, Al places of scripture are not to be transformed into allegories: but we must seeke out the proper sense of the words, by meditation and sense, that is, vsing the rules of art, and hauing a regard of the propriety of tongues and our own experience, by which we know the nature of those things which are signified by words commonly vsed in the Church.