A14216:64
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 difference of this true Doctrine from Philosophy.
The difference of this true Doctrine from Philosophie.
It is true that we study Philosophy, and not the Doctrine of other sects: but yet there is a very great difference between these two Doctrines. 1. Philosophy is wholly natural: but the principal part of this doctrine (that is, the Gospel) is revealed from above even from God. 2. Only this doctrine declareth the Gospel: Philosophy is quite ignorant of it. 3. The Doctrine of the Church showeth the originals of our miseries: Philosophy doth not so. 4 This doctrine whereas it doth assure us of eternal life, it doth minister comfort unto our consciences, and showeth us the way how to wade out of dangers: Philosophy teacheth us not so much as this. 5. Of this we are taught the whole Law: Philosophy letteth pass the chiefest parts. Indeed Philosophy containeth two parts profitable for mans life, as Logic, Mathematics & others which God would not deliver in this doctrine: But as concerning this doctrine, Philosophy hath but a little part of the Law, & that obscurely, and that taken out but of a few precepts of the Law. It hath certain common comforts: those that are not common it hath not, as being proper unto the Church. Common ⟨p. 12⟩comforts are these. 1 The providence of God, or the necessity of obeying him. 2. A good conscience. 3. The worthiness of virtue. 4. The final causes or the ends which virtue proposeth. 5. The examples of others. 6. Hope of reward. 7. A comparing of events: because a less evil is compared unto a greater. Those comforts which are not common but proper unto the Church, are, 1. Remission of sins. 2. The presence of God in miseries themselves. 3. Our final delivery.