A14216:1384
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.
But as many as received him, to them he gave power to be the sons of god, 1even to them that believe in his name] Here is a triple Argument or proof of his Divinity. First, None can give the power to be the sons of god by his own power, & authority, but god himself. But Christ not only as a minister and messenger, but in his own name and of his own authority giveth this power and right. Therefore he is god himself. Secondly, He that maketh other the sons of god, must needs regenerate them by the spirit of god, and make them partakers of the fathers nature. This none can do but god himself. Therefore Christ is by nature god, who is able to work by the proper spirit of god. Thirdly, He gave this power to them that believe in his name. But faith ought not to rest or depend on any creature, but on god only. Therefore christ is not a made or created, but the true & eternal god.
But as manie as receiued him, to them hee gaue power to bee the sonnes of god, 1euen to them that beleeue in his name] Here is a triple Argument or proofe of his Diuinitie. First, None can giue the power to be the sonnes of god by his owne power, & authoritie, but god himselfe. But Christ not onelie as a minister and messenger, but in his owne name and of his owne autoritie giueth this power and right. Therefore he is god himselfe. Secondly, He that maketh other the sonnes of god, must needes regenerate them by the spirite of god, and make them partakers of the fathers nature. This none can doe but god himselfe. Therefore Christ is by nature god, who is able to worke by the proper spirit of god. Thirdly, He gaue this power to them that beleeue in his name. But faith ought not to rest or depend on any creature, but on god onlie. Therfore christ is not a made or created, but the true & eternal god.
- 1The Godhead of the sonne.
And the Word was made flesh] S. John declareth the manner how that Word came unto his own; namely,