A14216:140
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.
For whereas unto men also it is granted, to be themselves the best interpreters of their own words: how much more ought this honour to be yielded unto the holy Scripture?1 Wherefore if controversy be moved concerning the meaning of some place in the Scripture, we ought much more to do that here, which we would do in other writings. First of all, to consider and respect the analogy of faith, that is, to receive no exposition which is against the ground of doctrine, that is against any article of faith, or commandment of the Decalogue, or against any plain testimony of Scripture: 2even as Paul admonisheth, forbidding to build wood, hey, stubble upon the foundation. Secondly, to weigh the things that go before, and follow after that place, which is in question: that so not only nothing contrary to these may be feigned on it: but also that that may be set for the meaning of it, which these require. For these either not being observed, or being dissembled, the meaning of the Scripture is not seldom depraved.3 So those words of the Psalm, He shall give his Angels charge over thee, that they shall bear thee in their hands, that thou hurt not thy foot against a stone. The Devil tempting Christ, interpreteth them as if they served to maintain over-rash and curious attempts: when yet that which is added [In all thy ways] doth show that they are to be understood of men doing those things that are proper unto their calling. Thirdly,4 we ought to search every where in the Scripture whether there be extant any place, where it stands for confessed, or is manifest, or may be showed, that the same doctrine in other words is delivered touching the same matter which is contained in that place, which is in controversy. For if the meaning of the clearer and undoubted place be manifest unto us, we shall also be assured of the place which is doubted of, because in both places the same is taught: as when Rom. 3. it is said: We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the works of the Law: That in this place, to be justified by faith is not to please God for the worthiness of faith, but for the merit of Christ apprehended