A14216:1986
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 WHAT SACRAMENTS ARE.
1THAT we may know what Sacraments properly are, the name it self of Sacrament is first to be considered. Among the ancient Romans this word, Sacrament, signified a solemn form of an oath taken in war, which they called a military Sacrament, so called of Sacrando, that is, of sacring or consecrating them, because by that oath every one was consecrated or destined to this captain, and not to any other to serve him. Hereof it is that some will have these ceremonies, instituted by God, therefore to be so called, for that as soldiers did oblige and bind themselves by that military Sacrament unto their captain, so we bind our selves unto our captain Christ, by a solemn oath, in the presence of god, Angels and men. This truly is not unapt or unmeet metaphor: but yet I think rather that the original of this name came from the old Latin Translations, in which wheresoever the word mystery is used in the new Testament, for the same they commonly in Latin put the word Sacramentum. Now mystery cometh from a Greek verb, [Greek or Hebrew], which signifieth, to institute, instruct, or initiate one in holy matters, or matters of religion. But that Greek verb, [Greek or Hebrew], is derived from another which is, [Greek or Hebrew], which signifieth to shut, because (as Eustathius saith) they, who were initiated or entered in holy rites, were to shut their mouth, & not to utter those things which were secret. Now a mystery is said to be, either a secret thing it self, or the sign of a secret thing, or that which hath a secret signification, which none understand but they who are initiated in holy rites. By a sign, we understand an external and corporal thing and action, or a ceremony instituted and ordained by God, which betokeneth a certain internal thing and spiritual. Which the Grecians call a mystery; and is otherwise called of Divines ⟨p. 695⟩a Sacrament. And some such signs god always would have to be extant in his Church, whereby the good will of God towards men might be recorded and made known, that men of the other side might declare and show their faith towards God, and other duties of piety and godliness.