A14216:153
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.
Answer. But Christ hath made satisfaction for me with his precious blood. 2. But thou must die the death. Answer. But Christ hath delivered me from the power of death, and I know that by Christ I shall scape out of the hands of death. 3. But how if thou leese the grace of Christ? For thou mayest fall and perish; because it is a long way to heaven. Answer. Christ hath not only merited his benefits for me, but also bestoweth them on me, and preserveth them in me, and giveth me perseverance, that I may not fall from grace. 4. But what if these things appertain not unto thee? and how knowest thou that thou art Christs? Answer. 1. Because I have the testimony of the holy Ghost within me. 2. Because the general promise appertaineth to all the faithful. If I have faith therefore, that promise appertaineth unto me. But I know I have faith by the effects of faith. 1. Because I have a will to obey and believe God, albeit I am but weak. 2. Because I have good works, which are signs of true faith. Therefore I have true faith, and by a consequent, Christ and his benefits appertain unto me.
Answere. But Christ hath made satisfaction for me with his precious blood. 2. But thou must die the death. Answere. But Christ hath deliuered me from the power of death, and I know that by Christ I shall scape out of the hands of death. 3. But how if thou leese the grace of Christ? For thou maist fall and perish; because it is a long way to heauen. Answere. Christ hath not onely merited his benefites for mee, but also bestoweth them on me, and preserueth them in mee, and giueth mee perseuerance, that I may not fall from grace. 4. But what if these thinges appertaine not vnto thee? and how knowest thou that thou art Christes? Answere. 1. Because I haue the testimonie of the holie Ghost within me. 2. Because the generall promise appertaineth to all the faithful. If I haue faith therefore, that promise appertaineth vnto me. But I know I haue faith by the effectes of faith. 1. Because I haue a will to obey and beleeue God, albeit I am but weake. 2. Because I haue good woorkes, which are signes of true faith. Therefore I haue true faith, and by a consequent, Christ and his benefites appertaine vnto mee.
This comfort is necessary. 1. For our salvation: that we despair not. 2. For the worshipping of God. For that we may worship God, we must come out of sin and death: not rush into desperation, but be sustained with a sure comfort unto the end. This comfort, though other sects promise, yet can they not make performance thereof, because their conscience and experience oftentimes goeth against them. The doctrine of the Church alone maketh performance of it, so