A14216:2305
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.
2 Unto whom the power of the keys is committed.
2 Vnto whom the power of the keies is committed.
Unto whom the declaration and denouncing of Gods word is committed, to them also is committed the power of the keys. The denouncing and publishing of the anger and favour of god, which is performed in the preaching of the gospel, is committed unto the Ministers. For the preaching it self also of the gospel is committed to them alone. But that denouncing which is exercised in church discipline belongeth to the whole church. For unto the whole church doth Discipline & spiritual jurisdiction belong. But the denouncing and declaration which is used in the ministry of Gods word is done after another manner, than in church discipline In the ministry of the word, the anger of god, the word going before, is by every Pastor alone or Minister of the word privately denounced against all ungodly, unbelieving, and unrepenting persons: namely that they are exiled from the kingdom of Christ, as long as they repent not, neither live according to the prescript rule of the Gospel: And again, if they repent, the grace and favour of God, and remission of sins is by the same ⟨p. 794⟩Pastors and Ministers signified and declared out of the word of God unto them. Objection. Then have men power to condemn. Answer. They have ministerial power, that is, the charge and-function of denouncing unto men, according to Gods word, that God remitteth or not remitteth their sins: and this is done two ways. First, and in general, when in the preaching of the Gospel they declare, That all believers are saved, and that all unbelievers are condemned. Secondly, when as they exercise this function of declaring Gods will privately unto particular men, and towards every one in several: as when remission of sins is promised to some certain person repenting, and when likewise the anger and displeasure of God is denounced against any one person not repenting, as long as he continueth in that mind. So was it said to Simon Magus; Thou hast neither part nor fellowship in this business. The same is to be said in particular to every one, as often as need requireth; neither must we do it at our own pleasure, but according to the word of God. And this is the power of the keys granted unto Pastors, and annexed to the ministry of the word. But to execute this sentence declared belongeth to God alone.