A14216:2104
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.
4 Wherefore there is in baptism a double water: An external visible water, which is elementary, and an internal invisible, celestial, which is the blood and spirit of christ. So also there is a double washing. An external visible & signifying washing, namely the sprinkling or pouring of water, which is corporal, that is, is perceived by the parts and senses of the body: And an internal, invisible, and signified washing, namely remission of sins, for the blood of christ shed for us, and our regeneration by the holy ghost, and our engrafting into his body, which is spiritual, that is, is perceived and received by faith and the spirit. Lastly, there is also a double administer of baptism: An external of the external baptism, which is the minister of the church, baptizing us by his hand with water: An internal of the internal baptism, which is christ himself baptizing us by his blood and spirit.
4 Wherefore there is in baptisme a double water: An external visible water, which is elementary, and an internall inuisible, celestial, which is the bloud and spirite of christ. So also there is a double washing. An external visible & signifieng washing, namelie the sprinckling or powring of water, which is corporall, that is, is perceiued by the partes and senses of the body: And an internal, inuisible, and signified washing, namely remission of sinnes, for the bloud of christ shed for vs, and our regeneration by the holie ghost, and our engraffing into his bodie, which is spiritual, that is, is perceiued and receiued by faith and the spirite. Lastlie, there is also a double administer of baptisme: An external of the externall baptisme, which is the minister of the church, baptizing vs by his hand with water: An internall of the internall baptisme, which is christ himselfe baptizing vs by his bloud and spirit.
5 Neither is the water changed into the blood or spirit of Christ, neither is the blood of Christ present in the water, or in the same place with the water. Neither are their bodies, who are baptised, washed therewith visibly: neither is the holy ghost by his substance or virtue more in this water than elsewhere; but in the right use of baptism he worketh in the hearts of them, who are baptized, and spiritually sprinkleth and washeth them with the blood of christ, and he useth this external Symbol or sign, as an instrument, and as a visible word or promise to stay and stir up the faith of them who are baptised.