A14216:2029
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.
3 Rites and ceremonies, which are not commanded of God, or are not instituted to this end, as to be signs and tokens of the promise of grace, are not signs and tokens of the church: for a sign can confirm nothing but by his consent and promise, from whom the thing promised and signified is expected and looked for. No creature therefore can institute any signs or pledges of Gods will.
3 Rites and ceremonies, which are not commaunded of God, or are not instituted to this end, as to bee signes and tokens of the promise of grace, are not signes and tokens of the church: for a signe can confirme nothing but by his consent and promise, from whom the thing promised and signified is expected and looked for. No creature therefore can institute anie signes or pledges of Gods will.
4 Two things are to be considered in all sacraments: the visible, terrene, and corporal signs, which are the rites and ceremonies, and the visible and corporal things, which God exhibiteth unto us by his ministers, and we receive corporally, that is, by the parts and senses of our bodies. And the things signified, invisible, celestial, and spiritual, that is, christ himself and all his benefits, ⟨p. 709⟩which are communicated unto us of God by faith spiritually, that is, through the virtue and working of the holy ghost.
4 Two thinges are to be considered in all sacraments: the visible, terrene, and corporal signes, which are the rites and ceremonies, and the visible and corporal thinges, which God exhibiteth vnto vs by his ministers, and we receiue corporallie, that is, by the parts and senses of our bodies. And the things signified, inuisible, celestial, and spiritual, that is, christ himselfe and all his benefits, ⟨p. 709⟩which are communicated vnto vs of God by faith spirituallie, that is, through the vertue and working of the holie ghost.