A14216:156
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.
1That we may attain unto this comfort, three things are to be considered of us. 1. The knowledge of our misery, that we may desire deliverance, and be thankful to God. 2. Our deliverance: without which we have not comfort. 3. Our thankfulness, without which we are not delivered. Herein is contained the sum and purpose of the whole sacred Scripture. And these do plainly accord with the division of the Scripture, or Catholic doctrine, into the Law and Gospel, and with the differences of these parts. For unto those three members are the Law and the Gospel referred: to the first and third appertaineth the Decalogue or ten commandments, because there ⟨p. 55⟩is a double use of the Law, the knowledge of our sin, and the rule of our life. To the second member appertaineth the Creed, because this speaketh of our delivery, and is the sum of the Gospel: The Sacraments likewise are to be referred unto the second part, because they seal that which is taught in the Gospel. They are those appurtenances as it were adjoined to the promise of grace, and the seals of justification by faith. Prayer belongeth unto the third part, that is, to thankfulness: because prayer is the chiefest part of thankfulness.
1That we may attaine vnto this comfort, three thinges are to bee considered of vs. 1. The knowledge of our miserie, that we may desire deliuerance, and be thankful to God. 2. Our deliuerance: without which we haue not comfort. 3. Our thankfulnes, without which wee are not deliuered. Herein is conteined the summe and purpose of the whole sacred Scripture. And these doe plainly accord with the diuision of the Scripture, or Catholicke doctrine, into the Law and Gospel, and with the differences of these parts. For vnto those three members are the Law and the Gospel referred: to the first and third apperteineth the Decalog or tenne commandementes, because there ⟨p. 55⟩is a double vse of the Law, the knowledge of our sinne, and the rule of our life. To the second member appertaineth the Creede, because this speaketh of our deliuerie, and is the sum of the Gospel: The Sacramentes likewise are to be referred vnto the second part, because they seal that which is taught in the Gospel. They are those appurtenances as it were adioyned to the promise of grace, and the seals of iustification by faith. Praier belongeth vnto the third part, that is, to thankfulnes: because praier is the chiefest part of thankfulnesse.