A14216:67
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.
OF THE THIRD QUESTION.
OF THE THIRD QVESTION.
1GOD in the very creation of the world put this bridle in the mouth of all reasonable creatures, that no man without extreme and manifest impudency, such as was the Devils in paradise, durst say that any thing, if it were once apparently known to have been spoken or commanded by God, might be called into question, or that any man might refuse to obey it. Here-hence are those things so often inculcated in the Prophets, Hearken O heavens, & hearken O earth, For the Lord hath spoken. Thus saith the Lord. The word of the Lord came to Isaiah, Jeremiah, &c. Since therefore it appeareth that the books of the old and new Testament are the words of God, there is no place left of doubting whether ⟨p. 13⟩that be the true Religion and doctrine which is contained in them. But whether these books were written by divine instinct, and by what proofs and Testimonies we are certain of so great a matter, this is a question not to be let pass of us.2 For except this above all other things remain steadfast and immovable, that whatsoever we read in the books of the Prophets and Apostles, doth as truly declare the will of God unto us, as if we did hear God openly speaking to us from heaven: it cannot choose but that the very foundation and whole certainty of Christian Religion must be weakened. Wherefore it is a consideration worthy those who are desirous of the Glory of God, and do seek for sure comfort, to enquire whence it may appear unto us that the holy Scripture is the word of God. To this question now long since answer hath bin made by the Papists, that forsooth it is not otherwise certain,3