A14216:2309
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 Why the power of the keys is necessary.
3 Why the power of the keies is necessarie.
THE power of the keys is necessary, 1. In respect of the commandment: If he refuse to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man, and a publican. And unto such a one the Lord will not communicate or impart his sacraments, which he ordained and instituted for the faithful only. 1. Cor. 5.5. Let such a one be delivered unto Satan, for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 1. Cor. 11.28. Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of this bread and drink of this cup. And seeing Christ doth not institute his sacraments but for the faithful; ⟨p. 795⟩therefore neither can we be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of Devils. For what concord hath christ with Belial? But all those that profess corrupt doctrine, and persist in wickedness, are at the table of Devils. Christ therefore willeth, Matt. 5.24. That thou leave thine offering before the altar, and go thy way, and first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Wherefore he will have them to submit them-selves first unto God, according to all his commandments, before they approach to any sacrament For by the name of Altar here are understood any sacraments whatsoever. Num. 15.31. It is said: Because he hath despised the word of the Lord, and hath broken his commandment; that person shall be utterly cut off. And Deut. 17.12. That man that will do presumptuously, not hearkening unto the Priest (that standeth before the Lord thy God to minister there) or unto the Judge, that man shall die, and thou shalt take away evil from Israel. By these two places God will have those cut off which are rebellious against this law, and that even from the civil state and common wealth; neither doth he permit them to be any members of his people: much less then will he have them to be accounted members of his visible church. The civil or judicial law indeed is taken away, as also are the ceremonies: but that especial difference between the citizens of the church & others is not taken away. Whereupon christ (which place we alleged before) will have no man to offer his gift, before he be reconciled unto his brother; and so doth he manifestly declare that he will not that they, who repent not, lay hands on those sacraments, which are appropriated to the penitent and believers only: