A14216:2213
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.
THIS question is necessary, by reason of errors which have crept into the church. It is otherwise demanded, Why the Mass is to be abolished •ut here this question is also contained and comprehended: because these differences and contrarieties of the Lords supper and the Mass, are the causes why the Mass is to be abolished. First let us speak a few words of the name of the Mass, or, Missa. The word Missa seemeth to have his name from an ancient custom of Ecclesiastical rites & actions,1 in the end whereof leave was given of departure to the Catechumens, the possessed with spirits, and the excommunicated persons: and so the word Missa seemeth to be used, as it were a mission or sending away, because it was the last part of divine service. Others will have it to be so called from a dimission, or from the manner of dismissing them; because they were demised with these words, •te, Missa est, that is, go, you may depart: or, as others interpret it, go, now is the collection or alms, which they will have to be called Missa, of the sending it in (as we may so speak) or throwing or casting it in for the poor. Some will therefore have it derived from the Hebrew Masah, that is, tributes, which was wont to be payed of every one. The word is found Deut. 16.10. Meshach, nidbath i•decha, A free gift of thine hand. Now that offering was called so, being as it were a yearly tribute, which yet was no exaction, but given freely. Others interpret it to be a sufficiency, which is, that there should be given so much as was sufficient, and perhaps this is the truer: because. Deut. 15. The Lord commanded the Israelites, that they should open their hand unto the poor, and should lend him sufficient for his need. This the Chaldee Paraphrast interpreteth to be Missah.
THIS question is necessary, by reason of errours which haue c•ept into the church. It is otherwise demanded, Why the Masse is to be abolished •ut here this questiō is also conteined and comprehended: because these differences and contrarieties of the Lordes supper and the Masse, are the causes why the Masse is to bee abolished. First let vs speake a few woordes of the name of the Masse, or, Missa. The word Missa seemeth to haue his name from an ancient custome of Ecclesiastical rites & actions,