A14216:2151
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.
When he had given thanks. He gave thanks for his office now performed and finished on earth (his last act yet remaining to be done) that thus it had pleased the Father to redeem mankind, or that the typical passover was abolished, and the signified passover was now exhibited, or lastly, he gave thanks for the admirable and wonderful gathering and preserving of the church.
When hee had giuen thankes. He gaue thanks for his office now performed and finished on earth (his last act yet remaining to bee done) that thus it had pleased the Father to redeeme mankind, or that the typicall passouer was abolished, and the signified passouer was now exhibited, or lastly, hee gaue thankes for the admirable and wonderfull gathering and preseruing of the church.
He brake it. That is, he brake the bread, which he took from the table, & distributed the same, being one, amongst many; not any other invisible thing hidden in the bread. He brake not his body, but the bread, as S. Paul sayeth. The bread which we break, &c. Now he distributed the bread, being one, among many, because we that are many are one body. But the cause, for which he brake this bread, was to signify his passion and the separation of his body from his soul. Wherefore the breaking of bread is a necessary ceremony, both in respect of the signification, & in respect of our confirmation, and therefore is this ceremony also to be retained. 1. Because Christ hath commanded it. 2. For our own comfort: that we may know, the body of Christ to have been as certainly crucified for us, as we see the bread to be broken. 3. That the opinion of transubstantiation and consubstantiation may be pulled out of mens minds.
Hee brake it. That is, he brake the bread, which hee tooke from the table, & distributed the same, being one, amongst many; not any other inuisible thing hidden in the bread. He brake not his bodie, but the bread, as S. Paul saieth. The bread which we breake, &c. Now he distributed the bread, being one, among many, because wee that are many are one bodie. But the cause, for which hee brake this bread, was to signifie his passion and the separation of his bodie from his soul. Wherefore the breaking of bread is a necessarie ceremonie, both in respect of the signification, & in respect of our confirmation, and therefore is this ceremonie also to bee reteined. 1. Because Christ hath commaunded it. 2. For our owne comfort: that we may knowe, the bodie of Christ to haue beene as certainly crucified for vs, as we see the bread to bee broken. 3. That the opinion of transubstantiation and consubstantiation may be pulled out of mens mindes.