A14216:1460
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.
1 IN WHAT SENSE HE IS CALLED LORD.
TO be a Lord, is, to have right and power granted by Law, either divine or humane, over some thing or person, as to use and enjoy it, and to dispose thereof at thy own will and pleasure. Christ therefore is our Lord: First, because he hath care of us, that is, ruleth, preserveth, and keepeth us as his own to eternal ⟨p. 515⟩life and glory, as being bought with his precious blood. John 17.12. None of them is lost, whom thou gavest me. Joh. 10.28. None shall pluck them out of my hand. Secondly, because we are bound to serve him both in body and soul, that he may be glorified by us. 1. Cor. 6 20. Ye are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit: for they are Gods. Hereof also we may understand, that the word, Lord, in the Creed, is not a name of the divine essence, but of his office, and is referred to both natures of Christ, like as the names of Priest, King, and Prophet. Christ then is our Lord, not only in respect of his Divinity which created us, but also in respect of his humanity which redeemed us. For the humane nature of Christ is the price of our redemption: his divine nature doth give and offer that price unto the Father, and doth by the virtue of his spirit effectually apply it unto us, sanctify, rule, save, and defend us against our enemies, and doth all these things, the humane nature being privy thereunto, and most earnestly willing it. Yea further, as he is man also, he hath power not only over men, but also over all creatures, and therefore over the Angels themselves. For the names of the office, benefits, & dignity of christ are affirmed of his whole person, to speak simply & properly, by communicating, but not by confounding the properties of both natures.