A14216:1391
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.
Now let us return unto those orders & classes of arguments & reasons whereby we prove the eternal subsistence of christ.1 Unto the fifth class whereof are referred those testimonies, which testify Christ to be the wisdom of God. The argument is this, The wisdom of god Prou. 8.22. is eternal, and subsisting before Jesus was borne. But the son is that wisdom of god. Therefore the son is eternal and subsisting before Jesus borne of the Virgin. The Major of this reason Solomon ⟨p. 494⟩confirmeth in the place afore signified, where he ascribeth those things to wisdom, which fall not into any, but which is subsisting, living, and working; as, that it subsisted in God before things were created, that it was begotten, and so forth. The Minor we prove. 1. because Solomon saith, that that wisdom was begotten of God. And to be begotten, when it is spoken of such a nature as is intelligent and understanding, is nothing else, than to be a son. For although it be true that there is made an exhortation there to the study of heavenly Doctrine: yet notwithstanding, the name of wisdom to be doubly there used, and a transition to be made from the doctrine which is the wisdom or light created in the minds of men (that thereby authority might be gotten to this wisdom with them) to the uncreated wisdom, that is to God himself, the author and fountain of the other, those things which are there attributed unto it, do manifestly convince. 2. Christ the son of god is called Wisdom and the person which teacheth us wisdom. Luke. 11.49. Therefore said the wisdom of god, J will send them Prophets & Apostles. 1. Cor. 1.24. But unto them which are called we preach Christ, the power of god, and the wisdom of god. 3. The same proper functions are attributed by Solomon to wisdom, which elsewhere are attributed to the Word, and are more at large declared in the book of Wisdom, cap. 7.8.9.10.
NOw let vs returne vnto those orders & classes of arguments & reasons whereby we proue the eternall subsistēce of christ.1