A14216:2052
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.
The confirmation of the 11. conclusion. The figure of Baptism being correspondent to the Ark of Noah, doth also save us; not the outward washing away of the filth of the flesh, but the inward testification of a good conscience towards god. The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? And seeing the sacraments are an external instrument whereby the holy Ghost fostereth and preserveth faith: it followeth that they serve for the salvation of believers, as doth the word. But contrary, the wicked, through the abuse of the sacraments, and the contempt of Christ and his benefits, which are offered unto them in his word and sacraments, and through the confession of his doctrine which they embrace not with a true faith, purchase unto themselves the anger of God, and everlasting pains, according to the saying of the Prophet Isaiah, cap. 66 3. He that killeth a Bullock, is as if he slew a man: he that sacrificeth a sheep, i• as if he cut off a dogs neck. And saint Paul, 1. Cor. 11.27. Whosoever shall eat this bread and drink the cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But the things signified, because they are received by faith only, and are either proper unto salvation, or salvation it self, as, Christ and his benefits; they cannot be received of the wicked, neither can they at all be received, but unto salvation.
The confirmation of the 11. conclusion. The figure of Baptisme beeing correspondent to the Arke of Noah, doth also saue vs; not the outward washing away of the filth of the flesh, but the inwarde testification of a good conscience towardes god. The bread which wee breake, is it not the communion of the bodie of Christ? And seeing the sacramentes are an externall instrument whereby the holy Ghost fostereth and preserueth faith: it foloweth that they serue for the saluation of beleeuers, as doth the word. But contrary, the wicked, through the abuse of the sacramentes, and the contempt of Christ and his benefites, which are offered vnto them in his woorde and sacraments, and through the confession of his doctrin which they embrace not with a true faith, purchase vnto themselues the anger of God, and euerlasting paines, according to the saying of the Prophet Esay, cap. 66 3. He that killeth a Bullock, is as if he slew a man: he that sacrificeth a sheep, i• as if he cut off a dogs necke. And saint Paul,