A14216:2218
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.
3 In the Mass the Papists make other heavenly gifts to be, than which are found in the word and other sacraments, or in the promise annexed unto them. As where the Mass-Priests feign ⟨p. 763⟩that the Mass doth merit, even by the work it self wrought, that is through the external rite and action, both for him that celebrateth, and for others, not only remission of sins, but the healing also of men, oxen, swine, and cattle diseased. and so withal they coin this too, that forsooth those signs of bread and wine are a sacrament even without the use also and administration. Likewise they will have other things to be in the Mass, than are in any sacrament, which is the very carnal descending & abiding of Christs body therein, which is contrary to the nature of all sacraments.
3 In the Masse the Papists make other heauenlie gifts to be, than which are found in the word and other sacraments, or in the promise annexed vnto them. As where the Masse-Priestes faigne ⟨p. 763⟩that the Masse doth merite, euen by the work it selfe wrought, that is through the external rite and action, both for him that celebrateth, and for others, not onelie remission of sinnes, but the healing also of men, oxen, swine, and cattle diseased. and so withall they coine this too, that forsooth those signs of bread and wine are a sacrament euen without the vse also and administration. Likewise they wil haue other things to be in the Masse, than are in anie sacrament, which is the very carnal descending & abiding of Christs bodie therein, which is contrarie to the nature of al sacraments.
4 The Mass is repugnant to the sacrifice of Christ: the supper confirmeth and testifieth that we are justified, for the alone sacrifice of Christ wrought and finished on the Cross: but the Mass contrary to the testimonies of scripture maketh moe propitiatory sacrifices: this is their treading and trampling Christs blood under foot, when they say it hath not merited perfect remission of our sins. Objection. The Mass is called a sacrifice of the Papists, and likewise the supper is called a sacrifice by the Fathers: therefore the Fathers were Papists. Auns. The Papists call the M sse a propitiatory sacrifice. The fathers call the supper a sacrifice, and so it is, but an Eucharistical or thanksgiving sacrifice. Again, it is even that same sacrifice which Christ offered, in such sort, as the bread is the body of Christ The Papists will have it to be a divers sacrifice, whereby is obtained remission of sins. Now it is one thing for the same sacrifice to be often offered: and an other thing for one sacrifice to be once offered, and that sufficient to take away all sins. This sacrifice alone is sufficient for remission of sins, and, this sacrifice with others is offered for sins; these speeches are contradictory.