A14216:2527
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.
THE first and principal use of the ceremonial and judicial Laws of Moses was to serve as a schoolmaster unto Christ and his kingdom, that is, to be a signification of spiritual and Heavenly things in Christs kingdom namely the benefits of Christ towards his Church, and the duty of the Church towards God and christ. Gal. 3.24. The Law was our Schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ. This S. Paul pronounceth of the whole Law of Moses. But that it is true, concerning the form of ceremonial worship and civill government, for a type and signification of christs kingdom, the Epistle to the Hebrews doth purposely teach from the beginning of the fourth chapter to the end of the tenth, & all places of Scripture, which refer the ceremonies and kingdom of the old people unto Christ, as Coloss. 2.11. We are circumcised with circumcision made without hands. 1. Cor. 5.7. Christ our passover is sacrificed for us. Psal. 110. Thou art a Priest for ever. Dan. 9. The most holy shall be anointed. And of the civill Laws it is said, Ezech. 44, 24. In controversy shall the Priest stand to judge, and they shall judge it according to my judgements. Jerem 23.5. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous branch, and a king shall reign, and prosper, and shall execute judgement, and justice in the earth. Wherefore that form of worship and civill government was ordained of god principally unto this, that thereby the old people might be advertised of the things signified and to be performed by the Messiah. Now whereas the allegories or figurative speeches of all the Laws are not in special expressed and expounded in the word of god; First, we are to make or receive none, but such as retaineth an analogy with faith and love: & again these only are to be accounted and held for true and certain, which can be proved by Scripture. But those which are not declared either by plain exposition, or by the manners of speaking in the scripture, the same may be verily tolerated, as other similitudes which are brought by way of example, but may not be admitted as certain, and as proofs of doctrine. And in those, which