A14216:2041
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.
15 The sacraments and the preaching of the gospel agree in this that they are the work of God, which he exerciseth towards his church by his ministers, who teach, promise, and offer unto us the same communion of Christ and all his benefits: and also they agree in this, that they are the external instruments of the holy ghost, by which he moveth our harts to believe, and so by the coming and means of faith, maketh us partakers of Christ and his benefits. Neither yet is the working and operation of the holy ghost to be tied here: neither do these profit but rather hurt them who apply not unto themselves by faith that which the words and rites signify.
15 The sacramentes and the preaching of the gospell agree in this that they are the work of God, which hee exerciseth towardes his church by his ministers, who teach, promise, and offer vnto vs the same communion of Christ and all his benefites: and also they agree in this, that they are the externall instrumentes of the holy ghost, by which he mooueth our harts to beleeue, and so by the comming and meanes of faith, maketh vs partakers of Christ and his benefits. Neither yet is the working and operation of the holy ghost to be tied here: neither doe these profite but rather hurt them who applie not vnto themselues by faith that which the woordes and rites signifie.
16 The sacraments differ from the word; because the word doth by speech, and they by gestures and motions signify the will of god towards us. By the word faith is both begun & confirmed: By these it is confirmed only in the lords supper. The word also teacheth and confirmeth without the sacraments; But the sacraments do not without the word. Without the knowledge of the word they who are grown to understanding are not saved: But men may both be regenerated, and saved, without the use of the sacraments, if it ⟨p. 711⟩be not omitted through contempt. The word is preached also to the unbelievers and wicked men. Unto the sacraments the church must only admit them, whom God willeth us to account for members of the church.