A14216:138
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.
1But here is cast in another difficulty, for that in controversies concerning the text and the meaning thereof, such a judge is required, whose authority and testimony may suffice for determining of the meaning of the text. For when both parties, say they, who strive about the meaning, plead each of them that his interpretation is true, except judgement be given of such a judge, from whom it may not be lawful to make any appeal, the contention will never be decided, and we shall still remain doubtful of the sense of the Scripture. Furthermore this judgement must needs belong unto the Church: for in the Church alone we are to seek for an examining and determining of controversies concerning Religion. What the Church therefore doth pronounce in these matters, we must of necessity rest upon that as the assured meaning of the Scriptures. And hereof they say it is manifest, that the decrees of the Church are of no less authority then the express sentence of the Scripture. But we, as we willingly grant, that the controversies of the Church must be at length determined, 2and that according to the Sentence of that judge, of whom we may be certainly assured that we can not be deceived: So we acknowledge this judge to be not the Church, but the holy Ghost himself speaking unto us in the Scripture, and declaring his own words. For he is the supreme judge, whose judgement the Church only demandeth, declareth, and signifieth: he can not be deceived, whereas all men are subject unto the danger of error: in a word, he being the author of the Scripture, is the best and surest interpreter of his own words. And therefore the Scripture it self in all doubts recalleth us and bindeth us unto it self: as 2. Pet. 1. We have a most sure word of the Prophets, to the which ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place. John. 5. Search the Scriptures. Isaiah. 8 To the Law, and to the Testimony: if they speak not according to this word, 3it is because there is no light in them. For although the holy Ghost speaketh also by the Church: yet because she doth not always speak the words of the holy Ghost, she can not be the supreme & chief judge of controversies in Religion. For this judge must be such a one, whose sentence may by no means be called in question.