A14216:17
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.
Which my desire and earnest deliberation struggling and striving so long within me, until it had gotten the conquest of such shamefast and fearful motions, wherewith men are well acquainted, who are at all acquainted with their own infirmities: I was thereby at length drawn to this bold and hardy resolution, as to commit something to the press, and so to the eyes of them, whose great and sharp censures, I have ever with trembling thought of heretofore, and even now would fly them with all willingness.
Which my desire and earnest deliberation strugling and striuing so long within me, vntil it had gotten the conquest of such shamefast and fearful motions, wherewith men are well acquainted, who are at al acquainted with their owne infirmities: I was thereby at length drawen to this bold and hardy resolution, as to commit something to the presse, and so to the eies of them, whose great and sharp censures, I haue euer with trembling thought of heretofore, and euen now would flie them with al willingnes.
Wherefore also in respect hereof, & of the greenness of my age, so hath the flame and heat of my desire been slaked and cooled with the water as it were of fear, wherewith I shake in mine own conceit: as I have not presumed to draw any shaft out of mine own quiver, or to present the world with an untimely fruit of so young a tree: but rather have made choice of a shaft out of the Lords armoury, framed by the hand and skill of the Lords work-man, fit to make the man blessed who hath his quiver full of them.
Wherefore also in respect hereof, & of the greennes of my age, so hath the flame and heat of my desire been slaked and cooled with the water as it were of fear, wherewith I shake in mine owne conceit: as I haue not presumed to draw anie shaft out of mine owne quiuer, or to present the world with an vntimely fruite of so yong a tree: but rather haue made choise of a shaft out of the Lordes armory, framed by the hand and skill of the Lords work-man, fit to make the man blessed who hath his quiuer full of them.