A14216:366
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 worship of God comprehendeth Profession and Invocation on the name of God, Thanksgiving, Prayers, & Obedience,1 which consisteth in our love and duties towards God and men. Many other ends are subordinated to this principal end. For unto the worship is substituted the true knowledge of God. For God not being known can not be worshipped. This is everlasting life, that they may know thee alone to be the true God. Further, To the knowledge of God is subordinated or next in order the felicity & blessedness of man, which is the fruition and everlasting participation of God,2 in which consisteth glory and eternal life. To this is subordinated the manifestation of God, 3or the declaration of Gods mercy in his chosen to everlasting life, and of his justice and wrath against sin to be punished in the reprobate. For that thou mayest know God, and be happy, it is needful also that he make himself manifest unto thee. Unto the manifestation of God is subordinated the preservation of society in mankind. For except there were men, God should not have whom to manifest himself unto.4 I will declare thy name unto my brethren. To this preservation there follow next in order the duties of nature, and the mutual good turns, and benefits of one man towards an other. For no society or conjunction or conversing of men together can be or consist without mutual duties passing interchangeably between them. Wherefore the society of men, and mutual communicating and imparting of duties between them, are the subordinate ends of man created, serving for the obtaining of the principal end, which is the manifestation, participation or fruition, knowledge, praise and worship of God. When therefore God is said to be the end of man, it is meant of him manifested, participated, known, and worshipped. And in this end, as being the chief and last, the whole felicity and blessedness, and glory of man consisteth.
The worship of God comprehendeth Profession and Inuocation on the name of God, Thankesgiuing, Praiers, & Obedience,1 which consisteth in our loue and dueties towards God and men. Many other endes are subordinated to this principall end. For vnto the worship is substituted the true knowledge of God. For God not being known can not be worshipped. This is euerlasting life, that they may know thee alone to bee the true God. Further, To the knowledge of God is subordinated or next in order the felicity & blessednes of man, which is the fruition and euerlasting participation of God,