A14216:1984
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.
OF SACRAMENTS.
THE Sacraments are a part of Ecclesiastical ministry. And as touching Ecclesiastical ministry the questions are, 1. What is the use of the ministry. 2. What are the parts thereof. 3. In what those parts agree and accord. 1. The chief and last use of the ministry of the Church is, that we being brought to Christ, may be confirmed and assured of Gods will, that is, that it teach us the will of God, exhort us to embrace Gods blessings and benefits, and ascertain us of the continuance of the same. 2. The parts of the ministry are the Sacraments, and the word. 3. The Sacraments so accord ⟨p. 693⟩and agree with the word, that whatsoever is promised us in the word, of the obtaining of our salvation by Christ, the same the sacraments, as signs and seals, annexed to the word as it were unto a Charter or letters patent, confirm unto us more and more, thereby to help and relieve our infirmity. Whereby also it is apparent, that the chief use of the sacraments to, is, in respect of God, the confirmation of our faith, like as also the ministers themselves, whatsoever they do in respect of their ministry, that they especially do, to declare and confirm gods will unto us. Objection. It is said, That the spirit and the Word work faith in us, and the sacraments nourish it being wrought. These three therefore differ nothing one from an other. Answer. First, The Holy Ghost worketh and confirmeth faith in us, as the efficient cause thereof, the Word & sacraments as Instrumental causes. 2. The Holy Ghost also can work faith in us without them: But the Word & Sacraments without the holy Ghost can work nothing. 3. The holy ghost wheresoever he dwelleth, is effectual in working: The word & Sacraments are not so. These things briefly were first to be spoken in general concerning the ministry.
THE Sacraments are a part of Ecclesiastical ministerie. And as touching Ecclesiastical ministerie the questions are, 1. What is the vse of the ministerie. 2. What are the partes thereof. 3. In what those partes agree and accord. 1. The chiefe and last vse of the ministerie of the Church is, that we beeing brought to Christ, may be confirmed and assured of Gods will, that is, that it teach vs the will of God, exhort vs to embrace Gods blessinges and benefites, and ascertaine vs of the continuance of the same. 2. The parts of the ministerie are the Sacraments, and the word. 3. The Sacraments so accord