A14216:2336
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.
Certain arguments assoiled, whereby some have endeavoured to abolish excommunication.
Certaine argumentes assoiled, whereby some haue endeuoured to abolish excommunication.
1 WHERE the word and Sacraments are rightly to be administered, there must the authority of discipline be established. But in the primitive Church, and at this day in well ordered Churches the authority of discipline is not established: Therefore the word and Sacraments are not rightly there administered. But absurd were it so to say; therefore absurd also to impose a necessity of discipline on the Church. Answer. These words, To be rightly administered, are doubtful and have a diverse meaning. 1. To administer rightly, signifieth, so to administer, as that the administration wholly agree with the prescript of the Lord. 2 It signifieth, to administer, not according to the right, perfect and exact observing of it; but so, that the administration be pleasing to God, & profitable for the salvation of the Church. In this whole world the Sacraments are not rightly administered according to the former signification: but according to the latter signification they are. For albeit there be some blemishes, which by reason of the churches weakness & imbecility cannot be corrected & amended on a sudden; yet the administration may please God, and profit the Church: Albeit we are nevertheless to acknowledge & bewail the defects. For blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness. Except these things be granted, there will be no pure church in the world. We may seem now to have sufficiently assoiled this objection; but yet further also we deny the Minor. For the authority of discipline was, & continued in the Primitive church, & shall also continue in an il ordered church, but with great abuse, as amongst the Papists. Reply. In our Churches, & in the Heluetian churches Excommunication is not in force: Therefore the Minor of the former objection is true. Ans. Although in some Churches it be not exercised, yet is it not then ill exercised: but the Minor is nevertheless infringed. Because in those churches the word & the Sacraments are rightly administered, according to the other signification whereof we spake before. Chrysostom saith, If any wicked person come unto the Lords table, give not unto him the Lords Sacrament, the body & blood of the Lord: if he will not believe, signify it unto me: I will rather leese my life, than I will admit him. Excommunication