A14216:2022
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.
11 How many sacraments there are of the new Testament.
11 How manie sacraments there are of the new Testament.
IN the new Testament are only two sacraments, 1the use whereof in the Church is perpetual & universal by the consents of Ambrose, & Augustine: Baptism, which succeeded in the place of circumcision and other purifyings of the law: and the Lords supper, which the Paschal Lamb shadowed and prefigured. These two, and no more; did Christ institute. For those are only sacraments of the new Testament, which are, 1. Ceremonies. 2. Instituted of Christ for the whole Church. 3. Having the promise of grace adjoined unto them. But there are only two such sacraments, as appeareth by their definition: Wherefore Penance, private absolution, matrimony, 2unction, and laying on of hands are no sacraments. For it is certain, that penance and private absolution, are only the declaration and preaching of the Gospel. But the preaching and publishing of grace must not be confounded with the annexed seals of the promise of grace. Unction, and laying on of hands are indeed ceremonies: but neither were they instituted of Christ for the whole Church: neither have they the promise of grace adjoined. The thing signified by extreme Unction hath ceased in the Church. Matrimony is no ceremony, but a moral work. The Papists reckon it among sacraments: because the old latin translation translateth the Greek word, [Greek or Hebrew] (that is, a mystery) by the word Sacrament, Ephes. 5.32. where the Apostle speaketh of marriage. But Paul himself is to be heard rather, than the latin interpreter. No man is ignorant, that mystery is of as large & ample extent in signification with the Grecians, as arcanum (which signifieth, any secrete or hidden thing) is with the Latins. Wherefore they must confess and grant all arcane and secrete things to be sacraments. And so, if Matrimony be the seventh sacrament, the will of God shall be the eight sacrament; and the calling of the gentiles, the ninth. For so doth the same interpreter in the same Epistle interpret the same greek word