A14216:57
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.
5 Least we being deceived should embrace the doctrine of some other sect, for true Religion.1 For there is no salvation in any other: neither among men is there given any other name under heaven, whereby we must be saved. Therefore is it said, He that is the shepherd of the sheep, him do the sheep follow: because they know his voice: and they will not follow a stranger, but they flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers. It is necessary therefore that the sheep know how to discern the voice of the shepherd from the voice of wolves, according unto the rule 1. John. 4 Believe not every spirit. For Satan is wont to transform himself into an Angel of light, and the most part of Heretics do imitate the words of true teachers, whereas their opinions are most different. And we oftentimes see that the ruder sort, when as they perceive some similitude in some either rites or opinions, are easily lead to believe, that the adversaries of the Church do profess either the same religion with us, or not so bad as we make it: or since that they have some thing common with us, that it is not much material whether they let pass some things, or ad some others. Wherefore least some show of likeness may beguile any man, it is profitable that the manifest and universal differences of the true and false religions may be laid open to the sight.
5 Least wee being deceaued should embrace the doctrine of some other sect, for true Religion.1 For there is no saluation in any other: neither among men is there giuen any other name vn•der heauen, whereby wee must bee saued. Therefore is it said, He that is the sheepheard of the sheepe, him doe the sheep follow: because they know his voice: and they wil not follow a stranger, but they flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers. It is necessarie therefore that the sheep know how to discerne the voice of the sheepherd from the voice of wolues, according vnto the rule 1. Iohn. 4 Beleeue not euerie spirit. For Sathan is wont to transforme himselfe into an Angel of light, and the most part of Heretikes doe imitate the woords of true teachers, whereas their opinions are most different. And wee oftentimes see that the ruder sort, when as they perceaue some similitude in some either rites or opinions, are easily lead to beleeue, that the aduersaries of the Church do professe either the same religion with vs, or not so bad as wee make it: or since that they haue some thing common with vs, that it is not much material whether they let passe some thinges, or ad some others. Wherefore least some shewe of likenes may beguile any man, it is profitable that the manifest and vniuersal differences of the true and false religions may be laid open to the sight.