A14216:2018
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.
9 What is the right and lawful use of Sacraments.
9 What is the right and lawful vse of Sacraments.
THE right use of Sacraments is,1 1. When the rites ordained by God are observed and not corrupted. The institution of Christ is to be retained pure, and uncorrupt: the additions of Antichrist are to be taken away, and those things which he took away, are again to be added. 2. When those persons use those rites for whom God hath ordained ⟨p. 706⟩them. Wherefore the household of Christ only, that is, Christians, who by profession of faith and repentance are the Citizens of the Church, must use these rites. Act. 8 37. If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest be baptized. So also they are baptized of John. Matth. 3.6. who confess their sins. 23. When the rites and Sacraments are used to that end, for which they were instituted. For it is not lawful to transform the rites to any other end or use, besides that whereunto they were ordained. 1. Because that is not to obey Gods commandment. 2. Because if the signs be changed or converted to another use, or the covenant not kept, the consent of him that promiseth is lost, without which the sign or earnest confirmeth nothing. Wherefore the Sacraments without their right use are no Sacraments, but rather vain and fruitless spectacles, neither have they the nature of Sacraments: But the right and lawful use of them consisteth especially in faith and repentance: They who have not this, unto them the Sacraments are no Sacraments. Wherefore they are besides themselves, who say that unbelievers and infidels receive together with the signs the things signified by the signs.