A14216:2554
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.
1 Objection. Christ is not the Law-giver, as it is said, The Law was given by Moses: but grace and trueth came by Christ. Therefore neither he, nor the ministers of the Gospel should teach the Law. Answer. Christ is not the Law-giver, as concerning the chief and principal function and office of the Mediator. For that is, to bring forth the gospel out of the bosom of his father, to make request and intercession to be made a sacrifice for us, and by the gift of the Holy Ghost to reconcile us unto God. But a part notwithstanding of this office is, to show and take away those errors, wherewith the Law is corrupted, and to propound the pure Doctrine thereof to this end, that the minds of men may thereby be prepared to hear the preaching of the gospel, which is proper unto the Messiah, and that they being converted may be instructed, what thankfulness God ⟨p. 865⟩requireth of them for the benefit of their redemption. Christ then is the Law-giver, as he is God, and author of the law together with the father: but as he is Mediator, he is not indeed the law-giver, because he publisheth not the Law, as it is said, 1. John. 2. but yet notwithstanding he is the purger, repairer, and restorer of the law from corruptions; and this, not principally; but that he might perform the principal function of his Mediatorship, to wit, our reconcilement & salvation. The same answer we make also concerning the ministers of the gospel: inasmuch as they are to propound no other Doctrine unto the Church, than Christ hath delivered.
1 Obiection. Christ is not the Law-giuer, as it is said, The Lawe was giuen by Moses: but grace and trueth came by Christ. Therefore neither he, nor the ministers of the Gospell should teach the Law. Aunswere. Christ is not the Law-giuer, as concerning the chiefe and principall function and office of the Mediatour. For that is, to bring foorth the gospell out of the bosome of his father, to make request and intercession to be made a sacrifice for vs, and by the gift of the Holy Ghost to reconcile vs vnto God. But a part notwithstanding of this office is, to shew and take away those errours, wherewith the Lawe is corrupted, and to propound the pure Doctrine thereof to this end, that the mindes of men may thereby bee prepared to heare the preaching of the gospel, which is proper vnto the Messias, and that they being conuerted may be instructed, what thankefulnes God