A14216:142
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.
1When once according to these rules the controversy concerning the text & meaning thereof is judged, we may lawfully also descend to the consent of the Church, yet putting great space betwixt, & not without great advisement. For least by the name of the Church we be beguiled: first of all no sentence or meaning is to be received, which these rules of examining and judging, which have bin now declared, do not suffer. Then must we consider, what times, and whose writings are purest: what points of doctrine have bin, and in what ages either rightly expounded or depraved with errors: lastly whose interpretation either is of the author, or may be of us confirmed by the testimony of the Scripture. And to this deciding of all controversies ⟨p. 49⟩about the meaning of the Scripture, drawn out of the Scripture it self, do all the godly and lovers of the truth agree, even as it is said,2 He that is of God heareth the words of God: now the testimony of the ancient and catholic Church, so far as they see it to accord with the Scripture, they do with glad and thankful minds embrace, and are so much the more assured of the known truth. But if any quarrelling men do not yield unto the Testimonies of the Scripture, we must not seek, because of them, a judge higher then the word of God, but must leave them unto the judgement of God, as the Apostle counselleth us to Titus. 3. Reject him that is an heretic after once or twice admonition, knowing that he that is such, is perverted, and sinneth being damned of his own self. And 1. Cor. 14. If any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. And in the last of the Apocalypse: He that is filthy, let him be more filthy. Neither verily doth he, whom the word of God doth not satisfy, rest on the authority of men, as the truth it self doth show. But as these things are sufficient to shut the mouths of them who gainsay the truth,3 or at least-wise to manifest their impudency: so is there further required for the fencing of the consciences of all the godly in debate of religion, besides a care of learning the doctrine of the word of God, an ardent and daily invocating of God, by which we may desire that we may be taught and guided by his holy spirit: This if we shall do he will not suffer us to make stay in error,